Sunshine Records is proud to announce the release of it's latest album...a long ago recording from the first band ever to appear / record on the Sunshine label: "LIVE! (From Binghamton, NY - 1986)" by Scrubby & Sunshine! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A recording of a gig some 30 years ago (recorded by Steve Litwin), Sunshine Records is releasing this to the general public so that people everywhere can enjoy hearing IPA Hall of Fame member Dave "Scrubby" Seweryniak (HOF 1994) do what he does better than anyone - perform LIVE! The energy and uniqueness Scrubby brings to his LIVE shows are legendary & unequaled in the polka genre. It is often said that he never sings the same song twice, meaning he adds various derivatives to each performance, resulting in music that is distinct and different every single time you listen. Scrubby's ability to riff and add his own personal vocal arrangements to each song is just another reason why any LIVE album of his is a "must-listen" - and we are thrilled to be able to provide the polka community with this recording of Scrubby & Sunshine from some 30 years ago (a time when they were just hitting their musical prime!) The members of the Scrubby & Sunshine band would continue to influence & shape the polka music landscape for many, many years after the band ceased operations. Mike Nowakowski (Leader, accordion, vocals) would himself be inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame in 2004, honored for a noteworthy resume which included time playing with some of polka music's most popular bands including Marion Lush, The Dynatones, The Knewz, and Jerry Darlak & the Touch, to name just a few. But it is his time with Scrubby & Sunshine that kick started arguably his most important contribution to the polka music community...his role as founder of Sunshine Records, a polka music record label that would produce recordings by some of the greatest names / groups ever associated with the polka field! In fact, all the band members listed would go on to make substantial contributions to the advancement of polka music - a fact that, looking back now at least, is not surprising in the least when you listen to this album and appreciate Scrubby & Sunshine's unique, brilliant interpretations of the songs they play. There is no doubt that this band enjoyed taking risks, experimenting with different styles / formats, in an effort to fully immerse the crowd in their LIVE shows. These are qualities that can really distinguish a band from its peers...and many believe that Scrubby & Sunshine held such a designation during their time together. It is a quality that members of the band would continue to display with their new bands in the years after and it helps to push the boundaries of polka music so that it continues to thrive. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Per Steve Litwin (who provided the recording for this album): "Recorded at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church in Binghamton, NY in 1986, we called it 'St. Mary's Hall' and the Binghamton Polka Paraders Club ran quite a few polka dances there. I did the recording using 5 or 6 mics to a mixer to a two track cassette recorder." Digital remastering / editing of this 30-year old recording done by Ray Barsukiewicz. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This album features a mix of songs off of various "Scrubby & Sunshine" and "The Dynatones" albums (but performed LIVE & brought to life via performances that only Scrubby is capable of), including: From Scrubby & Sunshine's album "Polka Life": - Trim Trim ("Litwin") Oberek - In Krakow Polka - Take Me to Paradise Polka - Up the Creek Polka - Zosia's Picking Berries Oberek - Hit Em in the Head (with a Kielbasa!) Polka - Thanks Mom Waltz - Here Comes My Katy Polka - First Time Polka From Scrubby & Sunshine's album "Polka Heat": - Crying Girl Waltz - Benny's Problems Polka From The Dynatones album "XV & IV": - Happy Life Polka From The Dynatones album "Power of Ten": - Filsak Krakowiak Polka And other songs that Scrubby has made memorable over the years, including: - Happy Bachelor Polka, - Fortunes of War Polka, - Hosa Horasa Oberek, - Happy Birthday Johnny, and many more! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Musicians heard on this album include: Dave "Scrubby" Seweryniak, IPA Hall of Famer (HOF 1994) - Concertina, vocals Hank Marzuchowski - Drums Dave "Nigel" Kurdziel - Bass, piano, synth Tom Picciano - Trumpet Dennis Panner - Trumpet Mike Nowakowski, IPA Hall of Famer (HOF 2004) - Leader, accordion, vocals Steve Litwin - Concertina