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 and TATIANA NIKITINY: Brich Mulla 7. ALEXANDR DOLSKY: Sentyabr, Dozhdi 8. NATALIA DUDKINA: Doktor Olya 9. SERGEI and 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)

Rough Guide to Russia CD The Rough Guide To The Music Of Russia introduces some of the country’s most beloved artists to an international audience that, until now, has largely overlooked Russia’s folk and popular music. With the fall of the Iron Curtain, the music scene in Russia changed and the communist censors disappeared allowing the bards, folk songs, singers and rock bands to flourish. This album features music from Russia’s first lady of song, Alla Pugacheva, legendary singer-poet Vladimir Vysotsky, Cossack folk from Zhanna Bichevskaya, Gypsy virtuosos Loyko, and the uplifting balalaikas of the Terem Quartet. Artists include: Vladimir Vysotsky, Zhanna Bichevskaya, Loyko, Alla Pugacheva, Sergei Nikitin & Tatiana Nikitina, Mark Bernes and Terem Quartet Customer Reviews 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, Russias 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 Russias biggest star of the 90s, Alexander Malinin. If you like this CD, check him out,hes well worth it. 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. Thats probably why Ive 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 isnt 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. Its actually very good! Much more than inane carbon copies of Western bands (this is not the Soviet NSync or anything like that!) the bands have their own stylistic twists making for pleasurable listening thats 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). Theres even great twangy sounding country track, but with an strong Russian flavor. To wrap everything up, were 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! 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... World Music Network 29 October, 2002