Destur
Cem Karaca : Püshküllü Moruk (TÜ,1970-1973)***°
Finally, this is the first album of the great rock singer Cem Karaca to be released/distributed outside Turkey. More so, this is a unique 6-track recording which was never released before. This is the composed playback score for a play he did, arranged with his band Kardaslar, and recorded in only 10 hours. Cem Karaca’s parents were actors. This is Cem’s first theatre appearance. Also his mother sings along on one track.
The play which was first performed by the Ulvi Uraz Group in 1971-72 was in fact an adaptation of Ben Johnson’s “Volpone”. The original text of that play was written in 1606 was adapted to Turkish codes and was played during the Ottoman Empire in the 18th century. A new adaptation was created in 1971 by poet and scenarist Ülkü Tamer, while the idea of making it an “Ottoman Pop Musical” was firstly Ulvi Uraz idea. The play didn’t have any success, so had to close very soon.
The style of rock group Kardaslar is recognisable, while most tracks are a bit more led by acoustic guitar and Cem’s powerful vocals, while other instruments are more like an additional score. First track is an instrumental rock overture, a bluesy psych improvisation, with also some use of saz, adding thus its inevitable Turkish flavour. The second track, “Passion Of Gold” uses bass, fuzzed 'iglig' (a Turkish guitar-like string instrument) in the background, acoustic guitar on the foreground, heavy vocals by Cem Karaca, and builds up different tensions. The rock track, also with a Turkish flavour, “The Fox” has rhythmical variation, some Turkish fuzz improvisation, and a more bluesy electric guitar. After a track lead by Cem’s mother on vocals, “Dear Mr.Judge”, the next track has the recognisable emotionally powerful Cem Karaca style, once more it is a bit more led by acoustic guitar, besides electric bass, a bit of electric guitar, and a small section of his mother participating and responding. It has a charming mix of blues, rock and a Turkish flavour empowered with the presence of Cem Karaka rock. This leads in one take to the final conclusive track, “Ring Down The Curtain”, a convincing ending, changing the acoustic guitar theme to some more flamenco flavours.
Later, Cem Karaca did a few other plays like ‘Die Kanaken’ (resulting in a terrific Turkish rock album in Germany, and also sung in German), ‘Ab in Die Orient Express’ (one song on Die Kanaken LP also has that title), and ‘Sevdican’.
Kardaslar was Ünol Büyükgönenç : saz, electric and acoustic guitar ; Seyhan Karabay : iklig, bass ; Fehiman Ugurdemir : electric guitar, bass ; Deniz Dündar : drums.
Best albums from Cem Karaca on CD in Turkey :
* "Ölümsüzler" (compilation of progressive tracks),
* Safinaz (symphonic rock album),
* Anadolu Efsaneleri / Legends of Anatolia (compilation of first album by Cem Karaca, with first album of Edip Akbayram, and a Mogollar compilation ?)