Dundurs

E-mail: dundurs@zalitis.se.

 DUNDURS 1969-1972                                                               DUNDURS 1973-1978

Dundurs was a latvian-swedish pop-band who worked in Stockholm 1969 – 1978. The band released 4 LP records with many own written music.

The bands original members was Janis Zalitis (born 1946), Juris Kronbergs (Born 1946) och Pavils Johansons (born 1947). They grew up, children to Latvian refugees in the suburb of Stockholm, Hägersten and started a band 1964 with the name “Pagrab Kratītāji” (Cellar shakers). The name aimed at the former Latvian Cellar club in Stockholm Old town. Uldis Grasis heard about it and met  Janis Zalitis- He wanted to start a real band. He and his brother Austris had moved from Munich to Sweden. At that time only Janis played guitar. In the new band Janis played solo-guitar, Uldis bass, Austris Saxophone/Clarintet. And Pavils had to learn play guitar and Juris drums. The new band was called; ”Saules Brali” (Tramps). Saules Brali played mostly on exile - latvian events in Europe. When the group played at clubs for Swedish people the called themselfves  ”The Ladykillers”. The band played common rock/pop-music (covers) in English language and had at that time just about 4 songs with Latvian words. A short time the groups name was “The Dawn” when the band was presented with picture in the book “Poplexikonet Stora popboken (Svenska popförlaget) 729 toppartister i ord och bild. En översikt av svensk nöjesindustri under 1960-talets mitt.” (Sid 22 Bild och beskrivning)

When Saules Brali ended 1968 the rest of the members (Janis, Juris and Pavils) started the band ”Dundurs” because they hade an offer from the record company ”Latvian music” to make an LP. The record company was specialized on producing Latvian classical music on vinyl that was sold by mail order to exile Latvians all over the world. The name “Dundurs” (stinging fly) was Pavils mothers idea (Veronika Strelerte).

It ended up in their first record ”Vilciena” (In the train) which was released 1969. The songs was popsongs with in the Latvian language. Most of them were written by the members, but some of them were American songs with Latvian words.

The second LP was released 1972 ”Reiz agra rita isgajam” (Once an early morning). Even here there was lot of own written music with own musical arrangements.

Efter this realese Juris Kronbergs left the band and it changed the form. New members were Britta Emmer-Zalite and Ieva Zalite. They had both sung as choir-members on the earlier records and Britta had even sung two solos on the second LP.

The songs were recorded in a private Studio in the Stockholm suburb Tallkrogen. They were recorded between two modified Stereo Telefunken M5 professional taperecorders with so called “Sound on sound”- recording.

Dundurs had just a few concerts because of the fact that everybody played more than one instrument. It was not possible to get the same sound on concerts without hiring more musicians. When the third record “Zilais Karuselis” was recorded 1974 Dundurs had the only big performance during the whole period. Two sold-out concerts in the Latvian Song and dance festival in Cologne. An audience of 2000 persons each two concerts.

The final record that was recorded by Dundurs was ”Dzives Ratins” (Circle of life) which was released 1978. It was made on request from the record company. The songs were all written of the Latvian composer of popular music, Alfreds Vinters. He lived in Stockholm at the time and participated in the planning of the record, but unfortunately passed away before the release. The record was made together with the piano-player, Gunars Zvejnieks.

After this record Dundurs ended, but Pavils continued some years as solosinger and also released an own LP.

Members

•                         Janis Zalitis (Bass, piano, guitar, choir)

•                         Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, guitar, cello och drums)

•                         Juris Kronbergs (Drums) /The first two records/

•                         Britta Emmer-Zalite (Lead singer, choir, guitar)

•                         Ieva Zalite (Flute, choir)

Janis was the bandleader and made most of the musical arrangements. But very much of the arrangements were made of all the members.  An good example is the song “Zilais Karuselis” which was all created in the studio. Pavils and Janis wrote their own songs with words in Latvian language, but on most of the songs Janis wrote the words was made by Juris.

Dundurs records was released on Latvian Music. (The record company doesn’t exist anymore, but all the records are saved in the Swedish radio company’s archive)

 

LM LP 35 "Dundurs Vilcienā " /Dundurs in the train/ (1969) . 

1 Mēs visi sēdējām kokos, /We all are sitting in trees/ (Music/Words P Johansons)

2 Jumi Jumi /Yummy yummy” (Music Resnick/Levine Words J Kronbergs)

3 Cietumnieka dziesma /Prisoners song/ (Music J Zalitis Words J Kronbergs) 

4 Redz, kur jājā div’ bajāri /Two Bajars are riding over there/ (Latvian folk song)

5 Kādu pie sevis /Someone to love/ (Music D Slick Words J Kronbergs)

6 Parkā /In the park/ (Music/Words P Johansons)

7 Senā Rīga /Old Riga/ (Music P Johansons Words V Strelerte)

8 Divatā ar sevi (uz jumta), /Solitude (on the roof)/ (Music J Zalitis WordsJ Kronbergs)

9 25 kronas (5 dolāri) /25 SEK (5 USD)/(Music J Zalitis Words J Kronbergs)

10 Tu vairs man nepazīsti /You don’t recognize me anymore/ (Music J Zalitis WordsJ Kronbergs)

11 Kauli deg /The bones are burning/ (Music B Dylan Words J Kronbergs

12 Vilcienā  /In the train/ (Music J Zalitis)

 

== LM LP 41 "Reiz agrā rītā izgājam - Dundurs" (1972) ==

 

1 Saldsērīga dziesmiņa, /Bittersweet song/ (Music J Zalitis Words J Kronbergs)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, chorus)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, El guitar)

•                     Juris Kronbergs (Drums)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute)

 

2 Reiz agrā rītā, /Once one early morning/ (Music B Dylan Words after B Dylan - P Johansons/J Kronbergs)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, El solo guitar)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, guitar)

•                     Juris Kronbergs (Drums)

 

3 Nāc Paskaties, /Come look/ (Music N Nevins Words J Kronbergs)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, piano)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Cello, guitar)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Lead singer)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute)

 

4 Jūtos Gaiši Zils, /Feeling light blue/ (Music/Words J Zalitis)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, El guitar)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, piano, guitar)

•                     Juris Kronbergs (Drums)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute)

5 Zilā, /Blue/ (Music R Pauls Words Janis Peters

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, piano)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, El guitar)

•                     Juris Kronbergs (Deklamation, Drums)

 

6 Tā pati vecā dziesma /The same old song/ (Music J Zalitis Words J Kronbergs)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, piano, chorus)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, guitar)

•                     Juris Kronbergs (Drums)

•                     Peter Kancans(Violin)

•                     Erik Kancans(Violin)

 

7 Flutes Tonis, /The flute tone/ (Music/WordsJ Zalitis)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, piano, chorus)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer,El guitar)

•                     Juris Kronbergs (Deklamācija, Drums)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute, chorus)

8 Vici Ceļi, /All roads/ (Music/Words P Johansons)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, piano, chorus)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, El guitar)

•                     Juris Kronbergs (Drums)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Chorus)

 

9 Maza maza istabiņa /A little little room/ (Latvian folk song/R Pauls)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, piano, chorus)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Čello,guitar)

•                     Juris Kronbergs (Drums)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Lead singer)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute, chorus)

 

10 Viss tagad zudis, baby blue, /Its all over now Baby Blue/(Music B Dylan Words P Johansons)
 

•                    Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, El solo guitar)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, guitar)

•                     Juris Kronbergs (Drums)

11 Tu esi sarkans, /You are red/ (Music/Words P Johansons)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer,, El guitar)

•                     Juris Kronbergs (Drums)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute)

 

12 Valsis, /The waltz/ (Music J Zalitis Words J Kronbergs)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, piano)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, el-gitaru, guitar)

•                     Juris Kronbergs (Deklamācija, Drums)

•                     Peter Kancans(Violin)

•                     Erik Kancans(Violin)

 

 

LM LP 44 "Dundurs - Zilais karuselis" (1974)

 

1 Nensī Nensī, /Nancy Nancy/ (Music/Words J Zalitis)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, el- guitar, /Drums/)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (guitar, rythm instruments)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute, chorus)

 

2 Vējš vārdu min, /The wind whispers your name/ (Music J Zalitis Words P Johansons)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El basa, guitar) chorus)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (chorus, guitar)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Lead singer, guitar)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute, chorus)

 

3 šodien klusums iestājies, (Music/WordsP Johansons) 

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, chorus)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, guitar, /Drums/)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis ( Chorus,  rythm instruments)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Chorus)

4 Smaidi man, /Smile to me/ (Music J Zalitis Words V Strelerte

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, piano)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, Cello, guitar)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Chorus)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute, chorus)

 

5 Dzied gailīt, /Sing rooster/ (Latvian folk song/Dundurs)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, piano)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (El guitar, /Drums/)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Rythm instruments, guitar)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute)

 

6 Melns un balts, /Black and white/ (Amerikan folksong Words P Johansons)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, piano)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (El solo guitar, /Drums/)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis ( Lead singer)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute)

 

7 Aug liepiņa kalniņa, /Grow tree on the hill/ (Latvian folksong/ Arr A Ore)

•                     Janis Zalitis (Lead singer)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis ( Lead singer)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Lead singer)

 

8 Zilais karuselis /The blue carousel/ (Dundurs)

•                     Janis Zalitis (Lead singer, El bass guitar, piano, El solo guitar)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, el guitar, /Drums/)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Lead singer)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Lead singer)

9 Turaidas roze (Latvian folksong Words Janis Rugens

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, El solo guitar)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, El guitar, /Drums/)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Chorus,  guitar, rythm instruments)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Chorus)

 

10 Eņģelis uz pleca /Angel on my shoulder/  (Music S Flint/Latvian words V Strēlerte) 

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Cello, el guitar)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Lead singer, guitar)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute)

11 No jūras pārnākdams /Coming from the sea/ (Music/Words P Johansons)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, piano, chorus)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, el guitar,  /Drums/)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Guitar)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Chorus)

12 Janis ir labs, /Johnny B Goode/ (Music C Berry Words P Johansons)

•                     Janis Zalitis (Lead singer, El bass guitar, piano, el solo guitar)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, el guitar, /Drums/)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Chorus,  rythm instruments)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Chorus)

 

 

== LM LP 49 "Dzīves Ratiņs - Dundurs & Gunārs Zvejnieks" (1978) ==

All the songs are old, written by Alfred Vinters. On this record Dundurs play/sing together with Gunars Zvejnieks (piano) in new arrangments. The songs are arranged mostly by Janis Zalitis and Gunars Zvejnieks.

1 Trīs vītušas rozesānis ir labs, /Three withering roses/ (Music/Words A Vinters)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, el guitar)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Chorus)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Chorus)

•                     Gunārs Zvejnieks (Piano, musical arrangement)

 

2 Gājputni, /The migratory birds/ (Music/Words A Vinters) 

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (El guitar)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Lead singer, spanish guitar)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute)

•                     Gunārs Zvejnieks (Piano, musical arrangement)

•                     Māris Rozenbachs (Drums)

 

3 Mazā, /Little/  (Music/Words A Vinters) 

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, musical arrangement)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, el guitar)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Tamburine, chorus)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Chorus)

•                     Gunārs Zvejnieks (Piano, musical arrangement)

•                     Māris Rozenbachs (Drums)

 

4 Vīltīgās acis, /Sad eyes/ (Music/Words A Vinters) 

•                     Janis Zalitis (El solo guitar, musical arrangement )

•                     Pavils Johanssons (El bass guitar)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Lead singer)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Spanish guitar, chorus)

•                     Gunārs Zvejnieks (Piano)

•                     Māris Rozenbachs (Drums)

 

5 Mīlas varavīksne, /The love rainbow/ (Music/Words A Vinters)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, musical arrangement )

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, el guitar)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Tamburine, chorus)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute, chorus)

•                     Gunārs Zvejnieks (Piano)

•                     Māris Rozenbachs (Drums)

 

6 Kur esi tu?, /Where are you?/ (Music/Words A Vinters) 

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (El guitar)

•                     Gunārs Zvejnieks (Piano, musical arrangement)

 

7 Dzīves ratiņš, /Circle of life/ (Music/Words A Vinters) 

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (El guitar)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Lead singer)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Chorus)

•                     Gunārs Zvejnieks (Piano, musical arrangement)

 

8 Pasta balodītis, /Homing pigeons/ (Music/Words A Vinters) 

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, chorus, musical arrangement )

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, el guitar, musical arrangement)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Spanish guitar, chorus)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Spanish guitar, chorus)

•                     Gunārs Zvejnieks (Piano, musical arrangement)

 

9 Teic meitene, teic, /Say girl say/ (Music/Words A Vinters) 

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, chorus)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (El guitar, chorus)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Lead singer)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Flute, chorus)

•                     Gunārs Zvejnieks (Piano, musical arrangement)

 

10 Gaujas laivinieks, (Music/Words A Vinters)

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, chorus, musical arrangement )

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, El guitar)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Chorus)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Chorus)

•                     Gunārs Zvejnieks (Piano, musical arrangement)

 

11 Sveiciens draugam, /Greetings to your friend/ (Music/Words A Vinters) 

•                     Janis Zalitis (El bass guitar, musical arrangement )

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, el guitar, musical arrangement)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Tamburine)

•                     Gunārs Zvejnieks (Piano)

•                     Māris Rozenbachs (Drums)

•                     Gundars Rullis (el guitar solo)

 

12 Rudzpuķu zieds, /Rye flower/ (Music/Words A Vinters)

•                     Janis Zalitis (Lead singer, El bass guitar, musical arrangement)

•                     Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, spanish guitar)

•                     Britta Emmer-Zalitis (Lead singer)

•                     Ieva Zalitis (Lead singer)

•                     Gunārs Zvejnieks (Piano, musical arrangement)

 

**** Note. The albums and the Latvian titles are shown with Latvian signs. This is special for the Latvian language. The names of the participants in Dundurs are also different spelled in Latvian language. For example, in Swedish/English you spell my name; Janis Zalitis, while in Latvian; Jānis Zālitis. Etc.

This resume is written by Janis Zalitis who was one of the members in Dundurs. There are also two articles(Written in Latvian language) in the Latvian paper Janua Gaita 1973 and 1974. http://zagarins.net/jg/jg95/JG95_Vitolins-par-Dunduru.htm    http://zagarins.net/jg/jg100/index.html.  And also   ”Stora popboken (Svenska popförlaget) 729 toppartister i ord och bild. En översikt av svensk nöjesindustri under 1960-talets mitt. (Sid 22 Bild och beskrivning av det tidiga bandet som då hette The Dawn)”(Written in  the Swedish language).