The Rough Guide to the Music of Russia

The Rough Guide to the Music of Russia Artist: Various Artists
Label: World Music Network
Category: Music


Buying details


Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1


UPC: 605633110722
EAN: 0605633110722
ASIN: B00006L3MU


Release Date: 2002-11-28

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Russia Russia
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Listmania:

  1. more things I've enjoyed...
  2. Some of the best European CDs of all-time

Tracks:

  1. Dialog y Televisora - Vladimir Vysotsky
  2. Chelovek I Koshka
  3. Dikoye Pole
  4. Djelem - Loyko
  5. Arlekino - Alla Pugacheva
  6. Brich Mulla
  7. Sentyabr Dozhdi
  8. Doktor Olya
  9. Proschanie S Parizhem
  10. Lyubo, Brattzy, Lyubo
  11. Muzykant - Alla Pugacheva
  12. Brigantina
  13. Temnaya Noch
  14. Starinny Vals
  15. Britchka
  16. Zemlyanka (Dugout) - Michael Alpert
  17. Povorot
  18. Beyond the Rocky Mountain (Za Skaloyu) - Kukuruza
  19. Diplomat Waltz (Diplomatichesky Vals) - Terem Quartet

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Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars pot stalom uvidemsja!.......2003-09-30

An absolutely marvellous compilation of Russian music. Vysotsky is in a league of his own - the greatest singer-songwriter, poet of the last century. Finns are familiar with the voice of Alla Pugachova, Russiaýs equivalent to Petula Clark; this CD has one of her most popular songs: "Arlekino". Another singer beloved by Finns is Janna Bichevskaja, with her sad songs of loss. For some strange reason there is not one song by Russiaýs biggest star of the 90ýs, Alexander Malinin. If you like this CD, check him out,heýs well worth it.

4 out of 5 stars More than a Balalaika Bash.......2003-08-01

The mention of Russian music always seems to conjure up cheese-ified gypsy versios of Dark Eyes or Kalinka, interminable balalaika trilling or deep-throated fur-coated renditions of the Volga Boatmen. That's probably why I've never taken an interest in this music before, but I decided to check this CD out and was in for a pleasant surprise. There is nothing Red Army or "state ensemblesque" about these selections (the Red Army stuff isn't bad, of course, just something that never appealed to me), instead we are presented with a tasty smorgasbord of Russian "bard-style" songs, both classic and contemporary, popular music hits, grass-roots Cossack folk, and a lovely airy "lite version" of the traditional balalaika ensemble. Just a note: for those looking for Russian roots or folk, this is not the CD you need. All but two or three of these tracks are either pop/rock hits (old and new) and Russian "bard" songs, whose closest North American equivalent would be something like acoustic social-commentary folkies such as Bob Dylan. In fact, the opening track artist,Vladimir Vysotsky, is considered the Russian Bob Dylan. The other bard songs are beautifully melodic and delicately sung, I really fell in love with this genre that was hitherto unknown to me.
Before you run screaming from the building at the mention of Russian pop, hang on. It's actually very good! Much more than inane carbon copies of Western bands (this is not the Soviet N'Sync or anything like that!) the bands have their own stylistic twists making for pleasurable listening that's a bit out of the mainstream. Alla Pugacheva (a Russian diva in the manner of Streisand, with a much better voice) provides a hilarious fun kitschfest with "Arlekino" (Harlequin), while moving vocals from Mark Bernes recall the horrors of WWII in "Temnaya Noch" (Quiet Night). There's even great twangy sounding country track, but with an strong Russian flavor. To wrap everything up, we're treated to the lilting antics of the Terem Balalaika Quartet in a beautifully arranged version of the Diplomat Waltz.
I know all this sounds a bit weird and disparate, but together it makes a seamless, satisfying whole. It certainly went far beyond my expectations, and will probably go beyond yours too. Highly recommended!

5 out of 5 stars music that warms up your soul.......2002-12-20

This is the best collection of Russian music ever. The music is selected carefully, and lovingly. You can find all the old-time favourites here - Vysotsky, Pugacheva, Nikitiny, Shulzhenko, Bernes, and Makarevich.

Listening to this CD is like visiting the music scene of Russia from the comfort of your home. The melodies are pretty, the words are heartwarming, and the overall impression is just great. I highly recommend this CD to everyone who wants to listen to great music.

I decided to list the tracks of the CD so the reader appreciates its richness.

THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF RUSSIA

1. VLADIMIR VYSOTSKY: Dialog U Televisora
2. NOL': Chelovek I Koshka
3. ZHANNA BICHEVSKAYA: Dikoye Pole
4. LOYKO: Djelem
5. ALLA PUGACHEVA: Arlekino
6. SERGEI & TATIANA NIKITINY: Brich Mulla
7. ALEXANDR DOLSKY: Sentyabr, Dozhdi
8. NATALIA DUDKINA: Doktor Olya
9. SERGEI & TATIANA NIKITINY: Proschanie S Parizhem
10. ZHANNA BICHEVSKAYA: Lyubo, Brattzy, Lyubo
11. ALLA PUGACHEVA: Muzykant
12. PESNI NASHEGO VEKA (with VIKTOR BERKOVSKY): Brigantina
13. MARK BERNES: Temnaya Noch
14. CLAVDIYA SHULZHENKO: Starinny Vals
15. GIPSY TALISMAN: Britchka
16. MICHAEL ALPERT: Zemlyanka (Dugout)
17. MASHINA VEREMENI: Povorot
18. KUKURUZA: Beyond The Rocky Mountain (Za Skaloyu)
19. TEREM QUARTET: Diplomat Waltz (Diplomatichesky Vals)

5 out of 5 stars music that warms up your soul.......2002-12-20

This is the best collection of Russian music ever. The music is selected carefully, and lovingly. You can find all the old-time favourites here - Vysotsky, Pugacheva, Nikitiny, Shulzhenko, Bernes, and Makarevich.

Listening to this CD is like visiting the music scene of Russia from the comfort of your home. The melodies are pretty, the words are heartwarming, and the overall impression is just great. I highly recommend this CD to everyone who wants to listen to great music.

I decided to list the tracks of the CD so the reader appreciates its richness.

THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF RUSSIA

1. VLADIMIR VYSOTSKY: Dialog U Televisora
2. NOL': Chelovek I Koshka
3. ZHANNA BICHEVSKAYA: Dikoye Pole
4. LOYKO: Djelem
5. ALLA PUGACHEVA: Arlekino
6. SERGEI & TATIANA NIKITINY: Brich Mulla
7. ALEXANDR DOLSKY: Sentyabr, Dozhdi
8. NATALIA DUDKINA: Doktor Olya
9. SERGEI & TATIANA NIKITINY: Proschanie S Parizhem
10. ZHANNA BICHEVSKAYA: Lyubo, Brattzy, Lyubo
11. ALLA PUGACHEVA: Muzykant
12. PESNI NASHEGO VEKA (with VIKTOR BERKOVSKY): Brigantina
13. MARK BERNES: Temnaya Noch
14. CLAVDIYA SHULZHENKO: Starinny Vals
15. GIPSY TALISMAN: Britchka
16. MICHAEL ALPERT: Zemlyanka (Dugout)
17. MASHINA VEREMENI: Povorot
18. KUKURUZA: Beyond The Rocky Mountain (Za Skaloyu)
19. TEREM QUARTET: Diplomat Waltz (Diplomatichesky Vals)

5 out of 5 stars A great collection of essential Russian folk &popular music.......2002-12-01

It has been more than a decade since the dramatic collapse of the Soviet Union. During this period, Western culture has swept through Russia, as places like Moscow's famous Arbat Street are now lined with McDonalds restaurants and record shops selling the latest Madonna, Eminem, and Backstreet Boys recordings. While Russia has always been known internationally as one of the leading cultural centers for opera, ballet, and classical music, most of the world has essentially ignored its folk and popular music. This compilation tries to remedy some of that.

Picking 20 songs or so to represent a country the size of Russia is a daunting task. This CD presents some of the most important figures in Russian folk and popular music. Among the standout tracks is "Dialog Y Televisora" by VLADIMIR VYSOTSKY. He is widely considered the greatest of the bard singers (Russian poet-vocalists). He began his career both on stage and as a singer/composer in 1960 after he received his degree in drama. With a deep gruff voice and a unique talent that could touch the Russian heart, Vysotsky became one of the nation's most beloved singers, despite harsh government opposition. Most of his compositions were suppressed after being considered 'anti-Soviet' and 'subversive' by the Brezhnev regime.

This CD also introduces the music of ALLA PUGACHEVA to the west for the first time. For her Russian audience, she is as beloved as the Beatles, yet as controversial as Madonna. This collection includes her biggest hit, ARLEKINO. When Pugacheva began performing the song, she did not just sing the song on stage, but as would become her trademark, she embodied a dramatic image of the topic of her song, in this case, a harlequin. Since then, she has always been at the center of the public spotlight, making news as often for her wild hair styles and unusual outfits as her breathtaking voice.

This album also includes music from other Russian giants such as MARK BERNES, CLAVDIA SHULZHENKO, and MASHINA VREMENI. People who saw the Academy Award winning film "Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears" will recognize the touching ballads from SERGEI NIKITIN & TATIANA NIKITINA. Among the standout folk tracks are traditional Cossack melodies by ZHANNA BICHEVSKAYA as well as the Gypsy folk songs of LOYKO and GIPSY TALISMAN.

This is a great introduction to the Russia's musical riches. It is the first international release for many of Russia's musical giants... and hopefully, it will open the door to allow future releases by these Russian innovators.

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