August 18, 2010
A collection of hit songs by Eolika, once called Latvia’s answer to Swedish pop superstars ABBA, has been released in Rīga as the foursome marks its 30th anniversary.
Formed in 1980 by composer Boriss Rezņiks, Eolika consists of singers Olga Rajecka, Ilona Stepānova, Dainis Dobelnieks and Viktors Zemgals. The group was known throughout the Soviet Union and drew thousands to its concerts, according to a press release from recording company MICREC.
One of Eolika’s most memorable concerts took place in Afghanistan when the quartet sang for Baltic troops who were part of the Soviet invasion of that country.
The quartet was most active from 1980-1986. Rajecka in 1986 left to join Turaides roze, a project organized by composer Imants Kalniņš. Within a few years, Eolika dissolved, according to MICREC, only to reunite in 1996 to tour and release an album of its classics.
This year, the quartet has reunited again to mark its anniversary with a tour around Latvia. One highlight of the tour will be an Aug. 30 show in the Dzintari Concert Hall in Jūrmala.
The anniversary compact disc is titled simply Jubilejas izlase. Songs on the album include:
- Pasaule, pasaulīt
- Tava atnākšana
- Zemeņu lauks
- Es neesmu Džeina Fonda
- Mežrozīte
- Raimonda Paula dziesmu popūrijs
- Noktirne
- Lielā zive
- Maziņš papagailis
- Salamandra
- Karavāna
- Pienenīte
- Zem saules vai mēness
- Kā es gaidīju
- Vēl tu vari
- Meitene no sapņa
- Lūgums
- Šajā brīdī
The last three tracks—“Meitene no sapņa”, “Lūgums” and “Šajā brīdī”—are new songs released this year. All the others have been previously released.
For more on Eolika’s anniversary tour, visit the group’s website, eolika.lv.
Andris Straumanis is editor of Latvians Online.
Eolika consists of (left to right) Ilona Stepānova, Dainis Dobelnieks, Viktors Zemgals and Olga Rajecka. (Publicity photo)
