“Što te nema” (1981) – Jadranka Stojaković * Traditional song adapted by Jadranka Stojaković and Aleksa Šantić * LP: Svitanje * Produced by Dado Streiblewierer (Rajko Dujmić) * Label: Diskoton
This signature recording by the late singer Jadranka Stojaković demostrates the durability of traditional song in her native Bosnia. Although its melody, known as “Haganin Sevdah,” is likely centuries old, a popular recording of it by singer Himzo Polovina appeared in 1964 with lyrics by Aleksa Šantić. Although both recordings by Polovina and Šantić preserve the emotional, protracted nature of the sevdalinka form, Stojaković’s musical adaptation is the one with pop accessibility. Her recording’s title, remaining true to Santić’s lyrics, translates to “why are you not here?” Stojaković was a beloved figure throughout all of the Yugoslav Republics and performed with that guileless voice of hers (reminiscent of Sandy Denny) during the ceremonies for the Sarajevo Olympics in 1984. In 1988 she would emigrate to Japan. [RIP 5/3/2016]