Hi folks,

I still think that every cafe should have a jukebox. For that reason I've decided to restore in a slightly different format the Jukebox that some of you perhaps already know:

I will try to avoid playing banal records on this machine. Under banal I mean music available in every music shop around the world from the USA to China. For example the Music album by Madonna isn't for my Jukebox (sorry, Madonna fans) while music played by Tadeusz Nalepa is just the thing as in most countries this great Polish bluesman is not known and his recordings are not so easy to be found even in Poland. At the same time if I've managed to find something peculiar (say it a CD with Madonna singing Armenian folk songs) I will not hesitate to load the Jukebox with that gem.

I hope that the records you can hear in my Jukebox in MP3 will help you to learn about music from various corners of the world. If you like what you hear, you can later buy that music in first-rate sound quality on CDs or vinyl at record shops or online...

NK

Olga Arefieva & Kovcheg 

Janis Joplin remained far behind...

Country: Russia
Genre/Style: Reggae, Blues, Rock, Neo Folk
Web

 Where To Go? from Scherzo-girl
 We'll All Follow Jah from Batakakumba
 Spacesuit from A & B
 Winter's Coming from Kon-Tiki
 Hey, Little Apple from Krutitsya-vertitsya

Olga Arefieva and Kovcheg take you on an acoustic journey spanning traditional folk songs to reggae-influenced modern acoustic rock. Kovcheg's older songs have a classic, '70s-rock sound with reggae rhythms, expressive lyrics and limited instrumentation (think "The Police", in their early years). The classic rock style was prevalent in Eastern Europe and Russia through the '80s and still is quite popular today. A great asset for an often unplugged band like Kovcheg is that Olga Arefieva is one of those performers who does her best in front of an audience, rather than in a studio. The spirit of the performance has carried across surprisingly well into the digitized format. A diminishing artform in this age of platinum records and stadium concerts, audience playing is still highly popular in Russia and Europe. Olga's vocals are very empathic, conveying every nuance of sadness, joy, or even cynicism or sarcasm. This plus the great choice of expressive supporting instruments make the Kovcheg a truly enjoyable alternative to today's electrified and over-commercialized standard fare. Leonard Cohen would be pleased.

Chris Jones 

We have been weaned off the notion that in beautiful melody there can be pride, and dignity, and - by far not always tender - sweetness. In their desperate melodism Olga Arefieva's songs sound like fierce endorsement of the good and the harmony, they bear something from the belief in Messiah's arrival, as if the Egyptian darkness of the Soviet rock has been penetrated by a powerful ray of light. And even rock-n-roll itself acquires a new supreme meaning coming back to its origins. Not the formal rhythm-and-blues origins, but the origins of the human soul. It's hard to find an analogy for this music. It doesn't exist even there where this music directly relates to - in the folk-rock, which is an indisputable virtue in our time of imitators.

A. Korshun

NK

Sort of Technical Stuff:
How to play records in the Jukebox

If you click  icon in posts you will get to another page where it's possible to listen to a record online:

Please note that previews are made with substantially reduced bit rate and thus the sound quality is far from Hi-Fi level but still enough to grab the general feeling of the music and artist.

The MP3 file isn't downloadable.

NK

The Swingle Singers - Anyone for Bach, Mozart, Handel, Vivaldi?

And anyone for scat? I adore this kind of ad lib singing and The Swingle Singers are definitely among my favourites.

A French vocal group famed for tackling all manner of classical material (baroque, fugues, madrigals, orchestral overtures) and switching them to an a cappella swing setting, the Swingle Singers was formed in Paris during the early '60s by American expatriate Ward Swingle. By the time of their 1963 album debut, the group comprised eight voices — Swingle, Christiane Legrand (sister of Michel), Jean-Claude Briodin, Anne Germain, Claude Germaine, Jean Cussac, Claudine Meunier and Jeanette Baucomont. That album, Jazz Sebastian Bach (titled Bach's Greatest Hits in America), earned the group a Grammy award and almost made the Top Ten.

Country: France, now UK
Genre/Style: Jazz, Scat, Classical
Release Year: 1986
 Fugue from Sonata no. 37 by W. A. Mozart 

The novelty inherent in an eight-voice scatting choir resulted in dozens of television and radio appearances around the world during the mid-'60s. Somehow the group also managed to record follow-up LPs Going Baroque in 1964 and Anyone for Mozart? one year later. Both were Grammy winners as well — though Best Performance by a Chorus definitely wasn't the most competitive category at the awards ceremony. In an era when vocal choruses increasingly slipped down the easy-listening slope however, the Swingle Singers moved in precisely the opposite direction. In 1969, a subsidiary group called Swingles II premiered Sinfonia, a composition by the avant-garde composer Lucianio Berio that also utilized the New York Philharmonic.

After a move to England in 1973, Ward Swingle recruited a new Swingle Singers and changed musical direction, incorporating material from the avant-garde as well as the Renaissance era and jazz. Swingle himself retired from active performance in 1984, but continued on as music director. The group continued to tour the world into the '90s, performing operas by Azio Corghi and Berio, appearing in compositions with ballet companies, and holding various classes and workshops as well.

John Bush

This 16-track, 63-minute CD is compiled from the best material off of the Swingle Singers' classic mid-'60s LPs. The sound is excellent (and offers a serious edge over the original LPs which, unlike later Philips classical releases, were pressed in America and were usually fairly noisy), and the repertory is chosen perfectly.

Bruce Eder

Track Listing:
01 - SONATA NO. 15 - (W. A. Mozart)
02 - AH! VOUS DIRAIS-JE MAMAN - (W. A. Mozart)
03 - ALLEGRO (from Sonata no. 14) - (W. A. Mozart)
04 - FUGUE (from Sonata no. 37) - (W. A. Mozart)
05 - EINE KLEINE NACHTMUSIK - (W. A Mozart)
06 - BADINERIE (from the Suite in B minor) - (J. S. Bach)
07 - AIR (from the Harpsichord Suite in E major) - (G. F. Handel)
08 - GIGUE (from the Cello Suite in C major) - (J. S. Bach)
09 - LARGO (from the Harpsichord Concerto in F minor) - (J. S. Bach)
10 - PRELUDE NO. 19 (from the Well-Tempered Clavier, 1st book) - (J. S. Bach)
11 - PREAMBULE (from the Partita no. 5 in G major) - (J. S. Bach)
12 - FUGUE (from the Estro Harmonico, op. 3, no. 11) - (A. Vivaldi)
13 - PRELUDE NO. 7 (from the Well-Tempered Clavier, 2nd book) - (J. S. Bach)
14 - SOLFEGGIETTO - (Ph. E. Bach)
15 - DER FRUHLING - (W. F. Bach)
16 - PRELUDE NO. 24 (from the Well-Tempered Clavier, 2nd book) - (J. S. Bach)

NK

Kolumbus Kris - If You Don't Like...

If you are into Texas Boogie and hard juicy Blues Rock this CD is for you!

Country: Estonia
Genre/Style: Blues Rock
Release Year: 1994
 If You Don't Like ...

Kolumbus Kris is a little-known outfit from Estonia but in my opinion it's one of the best - if not the best - Blues Rock band in the territory of the former USSR...

Track Listing:

01. Soft Legs
02. Cruising Around
03. If You Don't Like ...
04. Payday
05. Telephone Blues
06. Cigarettes And Liquor
07. Easy
08. Long Way From Home
09. Night-time
10. Blue Monday Blues
11. Beer Drinking Boys
12. Good Lookin' Baby
13. Burn The Breeze
14. Mojo

Entering the frills-free sound world conjured up by Estonian band Kolumbus Kris means stepping into a Boogie-Party Land. Southern Boogie Kings they once called an album of theirs. And they have, more than once actually, strutted their stuff on that side of the Big Pond where all their musical inspiration comes from. Honest and workaholic house-rockers, this lot.

NK

The most successful Hungarian rock band in history.

Omega - Gyongyhaju lany from 10000 lepes (1969)

Country: Hungary
Genre/Style: Psychedelic/Prog/Space Rock
WEB
 Nem tudom a neved from Omega 6: Nem tudom a neved (1975)

NK

Nikita:

Thanks for such a wonderful Forum. My thirteen yrs old daughter is thrilled with ALL the music that she is able to access thanks to you. Some she truly enjoys, others not as much but she is mature enough to appreciate the differences and open herself to the world. And we do it together in the process.

This is a breath of fresh air in such a confusing world (and forum lately!)

Mil gracias, Evelyn

Hi Evelyn,

I'm happy you both like the Jukebox. And what albums do you like best from those that have been posted so far?

Nice to see the Jukebox back in full swing, Nikita. I had listened to Kris Kolumbus before, thanks to you, and find his music right up my alley My favourite so far.

 I can see why Olga Ariefa is compared to Janis Joplin and beyond!!! Love it. The Swingle Singers are so easy to listen to. Omega 6 is so beautifully Hungarian with the accordion wooing us. Thanks and keep them coming.

Liz

Hum, tough! I'll say Olga, Kris, Omega in that order. She has a good laugh with the Swingle Singers just because its "old people music" but she loves Elvis and anything jazz/blues/early rock besides her father's mexican music from the 50's and the mariachis. We might not understand the lyrics but music is universal.

She asks is you can please offer her some French music, similar to these....she will love to share them with her French class.

Once again, Gracias, Evelyn

Liz,

Kolumbus Kris isn't 'he': it's a band! And I agree with your choice: their music is energetic and catching. Though little-known they are real pros playing blues for about 25 years already.

And she is absolutely right: Bach, Mozart, Handel, Vivaldi are not youngsters anymore...

Originally written by Evelyn Villalobos on September 4, 2006 3:06 AM she loves Elvis and anything jazz/blues/early rock besides her father's mexican music from the 50's and the mariachis.

She's got a good taste (I do hope she isn't into rap). And who's her father? A composer?

BTW do you have any connections to Heitor Villa-Lobos?

Originally written by Evelyn Villalobos on September 4, 2006 3:06 AM She asks is you can please offer her some French music, similar to these....she will love to share them with her French class.

OK, I will post some albums by French artists. I love French music too.

She's got a good taste (I do hope she isn't into rap). And who's her father? A composer?

Nope! As a good mexican citizen he has an extensive collection of mexican music that she has been exposed to since birth (and before.....). Lucky me, she does not enjoy rap. 

BTW do you have any connections to Heitor Villa-Lobos?

Sadly not, only some old LP's - remember those.?

Originally written by Evelyn Villalobos on September 4, 2006 3:06 AM She asks is you can please offer her some French music, similar to these....she will love to share them with her French class.

OK, I will post some albums by French artists. I love French music too.

She will be very happy  , please do. Thanks!

Evelyn, you ask me whether I remember LP's? Oh my! I still have thousands of them on my shelves! I even have 10" 78's which were pressed about 100 years ago!

Nik

One of the most beautiful songs created in the XX century. And one of the most erotic though originally there was nothing about that...

Watch this video: everything in it is first-rate - the music, the lyrics, performance, the way it has been filmed...

  Leonard Cohen - Dance Me to the End of Love

 

Country: Canada
Genre/Style: Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Folk-Rock 
Web: Official web site
Recommended albums: Songs of Love and Hate (1971) ■■■□□ | Various Positions (1985 ) ■■■□□ | I'm Your Man (1988) ■■■□□ | Ten New Songs (2001) ■■■■□

NK

For years I remained absolutely indifferent to Elvis. I was indifferent until I saw a video of his 1968 concert. A splendid piece, I should tell you...

Before that gig Elvis Presley didn't perform live during several years (since 1961) and thus that concert has been christened Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special.

It was recorded with mostly acoustic instruments at a tiny hall with a narrow circle of invited guests. Later similar performances became very popular on MTV with Unplugged series but back then, in 1968, not only Unplugged, but MTV itself didn't exist even as a project...

This video also should be quite interesting for those who think Elvis Presley couldn't play guitar...

  Elvis Presley - Baby, What Do You Want Me To Do 

A very sad piece of news: several hours ago Tadeusz Nalepa died. A father of Polish Blues, leader of the the legendary Breakout, one of my favourite ever musicians...

Sad... People leave, the epoch slips away...

Take some vodka, let's drink a bit... And he... He will sing us one more time...

Tadeusz Nalepa - "Modlitwa"

Country: Poland
Genre/Style: Blues Rock 
Web

NK

Originally written by Jacek Krankowski on March 5, 2007 1:27 AM I grew up

I didn't... and am still in that stuff...

Nik

My recent discovery...

Hazmat Modine - Bahamut (from Bahamut) live on Russian TV show

NK

You have interesting taste.  I know nothing about E European/Russian groups.

I have plenty of original jazz LPs, among others.  I play those on a Garrard Lab 80 turntable through a Fisher X-100A tube amp, AR 2-ax speakers.  No CD will replicate that warm, analogue sound.

You might enjoy these, though after your critique of Jimi Hendrix's playing (!!), who knows?

The great Magic Sam, dead at an early age.  I'd like to know how he came to play Earl Hooker's Vox guitar here.

And here's Otis Rush, playing for a hall full of zombies.

Hi Scott,

Originally written by Scott Rasmussen on April 16, 2007 10:29 PM I know nothing about E European/Russian groups.

Now you can get an idea listening to some records from . 

Originally written by Scott Rasmussen on April 16, 2007 10:29 PM I have plenty of original jazz LPs, among others.  I play those on a Garrard Lab 80 turntable through a Fisher X-100A tube amp, AR 2-ax speakers.  No CD will replicate that warm, analogue sound.

Oh, yes I do agree: I also like analogue sound and I've got a tube amp too. I have several thousands of LPs and I will keep them forever.

My arsenal consists of the following:

- analogue: Fisher MT-6331 turntable, NAD 314 (used as a preamp), Russian Priboi 50-UM 204C tube amp, Radiotehnika S-90F speakers

- digital: Marantz CD-67, Sony MDS-JE510 minidisc deck

In order to feel all the charm of analogue sound one should have a Hi-End system. Unfortunately neither mine nor yours can be considered as such. My weakest element is Radiotehnika S-90F...

Originally written by Scott Rasmussen on April 16, 2007 10:29 PM You might enjoy these, though after your critique of Jimi Hendrix's playing (!!), who knows?

 

That's true: I don't appreciate Jimi Hendrix's manner of playing too much. I do know: for many it sounds like sacrilege but what can I do?

Blues is one of my preferent genres and generally I like both Magic Sam and Otis Rush. Thanks for sharing of those videos, Scott. My favourite Chicago bluesman is Junior Wells:

Junior Wells & Buddy Guy - Hoodoo Man Blues

Very nice selections! I melted into a millions pieces watching Buddy Guy a year ago or so but had to pass on his performance in Toronto yesterday. He unplugged his polka dot stratocaster and kept playing wireless while making his way through Massey Hall, clear to the " nose bleed " section where I stood amazed.

Here is my all time favourite BBK song, The Thrill is Gone- Thrown in with Eric Clapton, Paul Butterfield and Phil Collins. It might take a few minutes to load but it delivers-Enjoy!

Liz

Billy's Band - Being Tom Waits

Tom Waits stuff performed by his Russian followers...

Country: Russia
Genre/Style: Acoustic Rock, Blues
Year: 2005
Web: Official web site 

 Ice creAm man

Track Listing:

01. So long I'll see yA
02. Clap hAnds
03. Chocolate Jesus
04. TemptAtion
05. TAngo till they're sore
06. Cold ground
07. I'll be gone
08. I'll shoot the moon
09. Ice creAm man
10. Gunstreet girl
11. Down in A Hole
12. More thAn rain
13. Jockey full of bourbon
14. ReeperbAhn
15. Blue Valentines 

All songs by Tom Waits.

Billy's Band - Let's Have Fun in St. Petersburg Style

You can download the album Being Tom Waits by Billy's Band - here.

NK

Originally written by Liz Mitchell on June 9, 2007 4:06 PM "Ice Cream Man" sold (hmm) me on the album

I knew it would...

Originally written by Liz Mitchell on June 9, 2007 4:06 PM I just downloaded but have yet to locate on my system I thought it would open in itunes.

It couldn't be opened in iTunes as what you downloaded is a .rar archive and should be unpacked first. Have you managed to locate it?

NK

Originally written by Liz Mitchell on June 10, 2007 4:18 PM Still searching for the illusive file. I realized too late that it needed to be unzipped, but I tried to open it with itunes. I downloaded part 1 again and proceeded to open it and itunes popped upautomatically. <...> The files must be somewhere but any search was hopeless...even looked in hidden-cache...rien!!!

Hi Liz,

There are some points I'd like you to pay attention to:

1. The archive isn't in .zip but in .rar format.
2. Please don't unpack the archives until you download all parts.
3. I would recommend to create a special folder for each album before downloading: this way you will always know where to find it.

The name of the first part of the archive is Billy_s_Band_-_Being_Tom_Waits.part1.rar. Try to search for it on your PC using special functions of Windows or standalone software. BTW a free program Agent Ransack isn't bad for this purpose.

Originally written by Liz Mitchell on June 10, 2007 4:18 PM Sooooo, I closed itunes, returned to download yet again but had exceeded my limit on the site for freebies. <...> Is the download on the site a daily limit?

Yes, at rapidshare.com there are some limitations but they are not daily - you can return in one or two hours and download again (the time is shown on the download page).

Nik

A glass of starka and this song. What else can one desire?

Vaya con dios - Je l'aime Je l'aime

Country: Belgium
Genre/Style: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock 
Web: Official Site

NK

A nice cold pinot grigio renders the same chilling effect for this smooth selection. Here are the words Nikita, should you be tempted to sing along to the French half after a few sips (hic) of your starka

Je l’aime je l’aime
Je ne sais pas pourquoi
Je l’aime je l’aime
Depuis toujours je crois
J’ai de la peine
Quand il est loin de moi
Je l’aime je l’aime
Mais il ne me voit pas
Il disait
Qu’il me voulait
Moi je croyais
Qu’il m’adorait
Je l’aime je l’aime
Depuis longtemps déjà
Je l’aime je l’aime
Je ne sais pas pourquoi
J’ai de la peine
Quand il est loin de moi
Je l’aime je l’aime
Mais il ne me voit pas
Il disait
Qu’il me voulait
Moi je croyais
Qu’il m’adorait
Je rêvais…

Very nice...and what a voice!

Liz

Thanks for the lyrics, Liz! I heard the song many years ago for the first time but only now I ultimately learnt what it is about. Do you know what language the final part of the song is sung in?

BTW is this band known in your part of the world?

Nik

on much needed lighter note...

Hi Nikita,

I have it on good authority from my friend from Herzegovena that Dina Klein is singing in a gypsy language ( Roumani?) in the second part. I was humming it for her and she recognized the anthem it is based on.

The Gypsy anthem is ‘Djelem, djelem’. Here is it’s common translation:

‘I went, I went by long roads, I met, I met happy Gypsies. Hey, Gypsies, where are you going from, with your tents, by lucky roads? many years ago I had a big family, but Black Legions murdered it… Gypsies of the world, come on, with me, Gypsy roads are open! It’s time to rise for Gypsies, and we’ll rise if we act!’

The main Gypsy symbols are a red or golden wheel and a horseshoe.

The National Gypsy Day is April, 8.

http://blogs.tol.org/roma/2007/04/15/gypsy-national-symbols/#more-102

I had never heard of the group Vaya Con Dios which has since disbanded.

Liz

My friend just sent me a link to one of the original versions of djelem, djelem. A little dramatic but you will recognize the tune:

Liz

Originally written by Olga Vilan on August 11, 2007 12:04 PM You can also find some videos on YouTube.

Soon in a new Carlos Saura's film:

Welcome to the forums, Olga!

Jacek

 

To the memory of those shot dead in Taganrog on 29 October 1941...

Rootwater - Hava Nagila (from Under, 2004)
(original Polish version)

Rootwater - Hava Nagila
(English version, the original Polish one is better)

Country: Poland
Genre/Style: Heavy Metal
Web: MySpace music profile

NK

I am enjoying the "Little Yabloshko" after a 14000 words on Tageditor !!!

Originally written by Amalia Hassoun on November 6, 2007 4:25 PM I am enjoying the "Little Yabloshko" after a 14000 words on Tageditor !!!

Then Amalia, you may also like 'Kef' by the same performer:

And this video (she's really my type of a woman):

Olga Arefieva - "Площадь Ногина"

Country: Russia
Genre/Style: Reggae, Blues, Rock, Neo Folk
Web

NK

Originally written by Olga Vilan I am amazed (and pleased!) to Cesária Évora among the list. Allow me to introduce another portuguese singer, if you don't know already: Mariza. (www.mariza.com).

Thanks a lot for the recommendation, Olga!

I do know Mariza. I've listened to a couple of her albums. Not bad but I should say that I like Evora's records much more.

NK 

Do you wanna check how good your ear for music is? You can do it in 5 minutes taking an online test described below.

What and how is being tested?

You will be presented with 36 pairs of musical phrases, played by a variety of musical instruments. You will be asked to decide if each pair is the same or different. In most cases, the differences are very subtle and require careful listening. Only one note or chord is modified in pitch or rhythm. The duration, volume, and articulation of each note is never changed.

There will be a two-second pause separating each phrase, and the next set of phrases will begin to play immediately after you click on the 'Same' or 'Different' button.

Flash Player 7 is required for this test. If you have an earlier version, you will automatically receive directions on how to download Flash 7 after clicking the link below.

Please try your best and have fun!

You can take the test HERE. 

Below is my result:

I think it's not bad taking into consideration that I was never formally taught music... though practically my whole life I have been listening to it... That's interesting: does just listening develop one's ear for music?

NK

That was fun, Nik.  I didn't manage to cut & paste, but my score wa 77.8%.  Yes, I would definitely say that listening experience matters.  My musical experience involves a lifetime of self-taught playing and singing always by myself without needing to listen to what anyone else is doing.  Secondly, in formal studies, following what the written score says.  Even in choir singing or playing in a small ensemble, we have the notes in front of us and know what everyone else is supposed to do.  It's almost to the point of not listening to the others and following the conductor, or choirmaster.  Playing with someone else means that you make sure both of you are playing at the same tempo so you eye each other and listen, you can hear if you have gone off key, but it's not a very intense and constant listening.  You're still following the notes.

You're a jazz player.  From the little I know about jazz (I have a friend who is a jazz player) you are constantly listening, and also improvising while listening to what those around you are doing.  You are listening for how the chords go and basing yourself on that, among other things which means you have to have internalized knowledge of chords, chord progression, chord types.  The classical musician is mostly stuck in major and minor diatonic scales, while jazz musicians use all kinds of modes.  To play jazz you have to have all kinds of knowledge, as well as to be able to listen and adjust constantly.

Actually the classical crowd is saying that the generation of Bach was close in attitude and ability to jazz.  Bach knew his music inside out, and he could have an improvisation contest in a foreign city, in which he and the local organist faced off by playing (in turns, not together) improvisations of a theme until the local organist conceded defeat and said "You must be the famous Bach."  Many modern classical musicians cannot improvise at all, and are dependent on what the sheet of paper in front of them tells them to play.  And note - Bach and the other organist were not listening to each other and adjusting to each other in the moment.  They heard each other's improvisations and then added to them after hearing them.

From the little I know, I have developed an enormous respect for jazz musicians.

Maxi

New entries in my jukebox: three tracks and an album by Czerwone Gitary.

In the studio (1970s).

Czerwone Gitary (Red Guitars) was one of the most popular rock bands in the history of Polish popular music. The band, playing rock music, was created in 1965 and its golden age was from 1965 to 1970. They were the Polish equivalent of the Beatles, many of their hits have become romantic classics in Poland; they were one of the most commercially successful Polish bands.

NK

My friend passed away yesterday. Forever. He was only 54. Utterly inspiring and talented personality. He had an interesting life: he was a sailor at the Baltic sea, worked as a metallurgist at a factory and was a clown in a circus, he built railways, composed and performed very humane and touchy songs...

His 'Somebody Else's Woman' ("Чужая женщина") won me from its very first chords and then dozens of other songs came...

Only a couple of days ago we were sitting at his huge but very cosy kitchen drinking starka and he was telling me about his favourite philosopher Mamardashvili, peformed his new songs... and today the 'Strange Woman' is still here but Maestro has gone... It hurts, hurts a lot... 

NK

I am sorry to hear that, Nik. May I dedicate to him Post #152010?

Jacek

Thanks, Jacek!

NK

Wonderful psychedelic interpretation of an old Russian folk song.

Pelageya - Ptashechka (Вirdie)

Country: Russia
Genre/Style: Folk Rock 
Web: Official web site

Musicinrussia.com: Pelageya is an extraordinary band which plays folk music in a rock style. As well as the name of the energetic vocalist, Pelageya is a band led by Pavel Deshura who has helped to create a unique approach to the Russian tradition. The band are a real antidote to the rather pop based format in which Russian folk is generally presented. The band need to be seen to fully appreciate the excitement they generate.

NK

A great Russian Folk group.

Ivan Kupala - Ящер (Pangolin)

One of my favourite Russian rockers. If you wanna learn something about the so called 'mysterious Russian soul', listen to Garik Sukachev...

Garik Sukachev - Полюби меня (Love Me Do)

Country: Russia
Genre/Style: Rock 
Web: Official web site

NK

P.S. This posting is kindly dedicated to P Ren

The story of this video is the following:

In the 40's a man returns home after many years spent in a prison camp. He is happy to see his woman he didn't see for so long but is far from being sure she was faithful to him during all those years... The video isn't quite serious, a kind of grotesque.

Garik Sukachev - А я милого узнаю по походке
(I'll Recognize My Sweetheart by His Gait)

Country: Russia
Genre/Style: Rock 
Web: Official web site

NK

Just another video on the song by Garik Sukachev.

The story:

Women - mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, girlfriends - come to see their men serving in the army somewhere (perhaps in Chechnya). Sure, this video is very allegoric and symbolic as we see all of them in one military quarter at the same time, they all are waiting for their men to come... and they finally see them... to be exact they see their dead bodies brought in sacks...

One phrase runs all through the song: 'Some will wear the wedding rings on their left hands and some - on their right ones...'

Garik Sukachev - "Колечки"
(Rings)

Country: Russia
Genre/Style: Rock 
Web: Official web site

NK

That is a powerful video, Nik.  Though I must say that I could hardly bear to watch it to the end.

Maxi

Why so Maxi? NK

I am a mother with sons who are young men.  I am a sister with brothers.  I am a daughter.  This is the reason.

Maxi

Originally written by Maxi Schwarz-Bastami on January 7, 2009 5:31 PM I am a mother with sons who are young men.  I am a sister with brothers.  I am a daughter.  This is the reason.

I see now Maxi. Then I'd like to present another song, a more buoyant one... which I think will be especially suitable at the time of the current crisis...

'My granny smokes a pipe. She's got damn nothing left, she's got just three roubles in her purse but my granny smokes a pipe and when I drop in we have great fun and are happily drinking the strongest fiery rum...' 

Garik Sukachev & The Untouchables - "Моя бабушка курит трубку"
(My Granny Smokes a Pipe)

Country: Russia
Genre/Style: Rock 
Web: Official web site

NK

Perfect, Nik!   Absolutely perfect. 

Maxi

Liliana, I am an amateur musician who is still learning.  I would say Nik is the real musician around here.    I like music that has depth and substance to it.  I'm in the process of broadening my understanding of different types of music - the more I understand, the more I like.  A certain offspring of mine is responsible for opening that door. 

Maxi

Thank you Nikita, for this music.

Is this man/this group a "star" in Russia, Lithunia, somewhere? I mean, do they play him in the radio? Is he well-known?

One can hardly compare musicians but there are German ones I like a lot where text counts and often "critical" ones and there are many people who know these guys (rarely girls) but they are no real stars. You can see them on concerts where some hundred people go but you never see them in TV (or only after midnight...) - I suppose this is the same with Garik Sukachev, isn't it.

Or perhaps the mood in Russia is different - perhaps the people are more interested in good music than in "pop" music - perhaps I am totally mistaken

This mysterious "Russian Soul" you talked about in one of these posts, does it exist? My favorite writer often speaks of it and in his books I understand what he means but he is long dead....

(don*t have wodka )

Daniela

This one takes somewhat more to get used to:  Ethiopian Eskista

Country: Ethiopia
Genre/Style: Traditional Dance

The members of the band are Russians living and playing in the USA...

The Red Elvises - I Wanna See You Belly Dance

Country: Russia/USA
Genre/Style: Rockabilly Revival 
Web: Official web site
Recommended album: Surfing in Siberia (1997) ■■■□□

The Red Elvises were founded in 1995 by two Russian political refugees, singer/songwriter Igor Yuzov and actor/bass-balalaika player Oleg Bernov in Los Angeles, California. Igor and Oleg met during Russia’s Peace Walk and subsequently played together in a Russian folk-rock band called Limpopo. Believing that one can’t go wrong with "The King" Elvis Presley as an inspiration and with "red" being not only Oleg’s favorite color but the national color of their native country, the band name Red Elvises was created. Actually, it is widely believed that Igor came up with the "Red Elvises" name by seeing Elvis come to him in a dream, wearing a red dress! Igor will neither confirm nor deny the truth of that rumor.

The band’s third original member, guitarist Zhenya Kolykhanov (he later legally changed his last name to “Rock”), had also emigrated to America and had been spending time playing in Texas. For the first few months Andrey Baranov was the band’s drummer, but within that year, the first American in the band, drummer Avi Sills from Austin, Texas, was added to the lineup. The four of them got their start playing on Santa Monica’s famed 3rd Street Promenade but became so popular that they were eventually asked to leave. The reason? They drew such huge crowds that the shopkeepers complained it was interfering with business! Soon thereafter the band set forth in its quest for world domination and endless summer nights. Playing countless shows every year, they became known as one of the hardest working bands in show business, as well as being one of the nicest and most accessible.

1998 would prove to be a banner year for Red Elvises. The band released their breakthrough CD, I Wanna See You Bellydance, for which an eye-catching video, complete with professional belly dancers, was later produced. Their music filled the soundtrack of Lance Mungia’s independent film released in 1998, Six-String Samurai, a film in which they also had small roles and screen credits. It was destined to become a cult classic as well as a film singlehandledly responsible for introducing a number of current fans to the band’s immense musical talent.

In 2002 a new word was added to the English language, Rokenrol, which is not only self-explanatory when said aloud but was also the title of Red Elvises’ new CD that year. Rokenrol was recorded entirely in Russian with the exception of two songs, Juliet by Igor and Sunshine by Zhenya, both sung in English.

In 2004 Red Elvises once again reinvented themselves when the original bandmates Igor and Oleg added three new members. They were American-of-Ukranian-descent Roman Dudok on saxophone and flute, American drum virtuouso Craig Pilo and a new Russian, Alex (nicknamed Sasha), on keyboards. The band began their year by releasing their 11th CD (10 studio, 1 live), Lunatics and Poets on April 3rd. It is completely in English and reflects their musical integrity and growth, with a southern California rock ‘n’ roll sound mixed with a sound more reminiscent of their Russian roots.

Red Elvises have maintained their independent status by declining several major record deal offers, and instead have produced all their albums on their own Shooba-Doobah Records. With work in cinematography(Six-String Samurai, Mail Order Bride, Armageddon, Skippy) and Television (Melrose Place, Fastlane, Penn & Teller’s Sin City Extravaganza, VH-1 Behind the Music) along with consistent creation of high quality crowd pleasing fun music and a reputation for an energy level through the roof, Red Elvises have a bright future and remain one of the best live performance bands ever. They currently reside in Venice, California where they continue to pursue numerous film and music projects.

NK

P.S. This is my second dedication to P Ren

Is posting songs here open to all?

Originally written by Jonathan Downie on January 28, 2009 6:39 AM   Is posting songs here open to all?

Provided you speak Russian.

P. S

It is a joke, just in case...

:-p

I am actually going to learn Russian again soon!

Tatyana Kabanova is a new name for me: I discovered her just yesterday. A stunningly beautiful woman with terrific voice resembling Edith Piaf sometimes but dreadful choice of quite vulgur and often tasteless repertoire... this old thieves' song I like though...

Tatyana Kabanova - "С одесского кичмана"
(Out from Odessa Chokey)

Country: Russia
Genre/Style: Outlaw Chanson

NK