Radomski Ensembe

SIDE ONE
1. POLKA "Semena"
2. FOX TROT "Pleve Kachur"
3. FOLK DANCE "Kiriak"
4. FOX TROT "Narodni"
5. POLKA "Rudomskoho"
6. FOX TROT "Kazale Lyde"
7. MARCH "Sokolarski"

SIDE TWO
1. LIVELY FOLK DANCE "Husulka"
2. FOX TROT "Letile Huse"
3. POLKA "Kanadeyska"
4. POLKA "Chervonyava"
5. WALTZ "Mriyi"
6. POLKA "Oto moya bila"
7. POLKA "Molodaya"

Letile Huse

Pleve Kachur



Featuring: METRO RADOMSKI — Fiddle
Wm. MALAYKO — Dulsimer

Ukrainian Record

This being the first release of the Radomski Ensemble in a long playing record, and anticipating a distribution of this record beyond the boundaries of Alberta, into other provinces where thousands of Canadians of Ukrainian origin reside, I have taken the liberty of including a photograph of a memorial which was erected at the Alberta Elk Island park some thirty miles east of Edmonton. This memorial which was erected in the summer of 1963 shall serve the purpose of reminding the younger
generation of the hardships and toils the pioneers assumed in order that the future generations reap the benefits of this new and better land. No doubt many of the thousands of poverty stricken and oppressed Ukrainian peasants who left their native land and came at Canada s invitation to help develop her vast natural resources, had intended to stay in this country only long enough to make a small fortune and return to their native villages. However, the comparatively favourable circumstances here, in contrast to the oppressive foreign subjugation of Ukrainian lands by historical enemies, dispelled the hopes that many had entertained of returning to Europe. With their children growing up in Canada, they fully realized that they were better off in almost every respect in this
country than were their kinsmen in the Ukraine.

In only seventy odd years the Ukrainian Canadians, have not only witnessed but were a part of the greatest transformation in history, from an ox to a tractor, from illiteracy to the highest positions in politics, industry and commerce. Some of the technical advancements have created new problems but I doubt whether any memorial regardless of size can fully symbolize the appreciation of the Ukrainian Canadians in matters of economic justice and opportunity, freedom of assembly, of spoken and printed word, of action, and religious worship, as well as freedom to cultivate their own culture. Now that we are on the subject of transformation I should perhaps mention the great change of social tolerance. Having been brought up in an atmosphere of national and religious hatreds and class discrimination, the Ukrainians for many years perpetuated acts of intolerance in Canada. In time however, they gradually learned the Canadian practice of the golden rule, of actins towards others as they would want others to act towards them.
Space does not, permit me to go into detail pointing out merits symbolized in this memorial but I do want to bring; to the attention of the Ukrainian Canadians in other parts of Canada and U.S.A. that we in Alberta are not forgetting the pioneers. The music on this record is that of а man who has entertained the pioneers and the following generations and I might add that he is very active to this very day.

To thousands of city and country folks in northern Alberta the name Radomski is associated with the fiddle and a Ukrainian wedding. It is with great pleasure that I accepted the opportunity to introduce Metro Radomski to those in possession of this long play record, living outside the province of Alberta. In some respects Metro Radomski can be compared with Jack Benny, especially when it comes to age and his ability to entertain. Although Metro doesn't look a day over 45, he claims to have played at weddings for couples who are today receiving old age pension. It has been said by many who heard Metro Radomski on stage or radio that within this man exists a complete collection of feelings and moods of Ukrainian Canadians in Alberta which be can express at will, through his fiddle and bow. he two principle instruments used are fiddle, played by Metro Radomski, and dulsimer played by Bill Malayko. The fact that the fiddler is getting up in age even though he doesn't admit it, the following gentlemen have offered to provide the background music and for their efforts I extend to them my sincere thanks. Nestor Worobets on the trumpet, John Waschuk on the base,Eugene Warawa on the" guitar. Henry Brody and George Danyluk on drums. Ken Radomski on the saxaphone and yours truly at the piano. A special thanks goes out to Mr. Stephen Leskiw who recorded the music.
On behalf of Metro Radomski and all the other members of the band I wish you all many hours of pheasant listening and sincerely hope that this record will encourage other orchestral and choral groups to follow suit so that future generations could retain a link with their predecessors.
Henry J. Smichure
CT-30473