When It's Polka Time at Your House

If you've ever attended an Oktoberfest celebration in Chicago, Philadelphia, or New York, you know that not all of the polka bands are comprised of purists; you'll hear some polka bands that strive for an authentically German approach, while others favor a very Americanized version of the polka. Heavily influenced by Lawrence Welk, polka artist Jimmy Sturr sees to it that When It's Polka Time at Your House is about as Americanized as it gets. Most of the vocals are in English, and the instrumentals generally don't sound like the work of a polka band from Germany or elsewhere in Europe. But the fact that the music isn't authentic doesn't mean that it isn't good; clarinetist/saxophonist Sturr's performances are generally fun and infectious. This isn't a CD to buy if you consider yourself a polka purist and prefer traditional bands from Berlin or Munich. But for those who like their polka with a heavy American influence, When It's Polka Time at Your House is enjoyable, if less than essential. ~ Alex Henderson