Review: Davai Zakurim

Subject: Review: Davai Zakurim
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 28 Nov 07 - 10:03 PM

"Davai Zakurim" (Let's have a smoke) is an album of wartime songs covered by Maksim Leonidov.
The arrangements are simple and tasteful, mainly accoustic guitar, with the occasional accordeon and clarinet. It's hard to compare with the originals for emotional impact, but Leonidov does a fine job, without 'tarting them up'.
This is an excellent introduction to the Russian musical tradition, as these are some of the most lyrical songs there.
My Favourites are #1 (simply amazing, close your eyes and picture soldiers marching and fighting across the vast steppe) #2, and #3 (a deeply romantic song, but the ultimate version is Mark Bernes's).
I would give this albom 7-1/2 out of 10.

1) "Ekh, Dorogi..." (the roads) - A. Novikov/L. Oshanin.
2) "Gde zhe Ty, Moy Sad?" (Where are you, my garden?) -
V. Solovyov-Sedoy/A Fatyanov.
3) "Davai Zakurim" (Let's Have a Smoke) - M. Tabanchikov/I. Frenkel.
4) "Vragi Sozhgli Rodnuyu Khatu" (The Foes Have Burnt Down His Home) - M. Blanter/M. Isakovsky.
5) "Tuman" (Mist) - A. Kolker/K. Ryzhov.
6) "Uslysh Menya, Khoroshaya" (Hear Me, Beloved) -
V. Solovyov-Sedoy/M. Isakovsky.
7) "Makhnyom ne Gladya" (Let's Swap) - V. Basner/M. Matusovsky
8) "Solovyi" (Nightingales) - V. Solovyov-Sedoy/A. Fatyanov.
9) "Zemlyanka" (The Trench) - K. Listov/A. Surkov.
10) "Kazaki" (Cossacks) - Dm. & Dan. Pokras/Tz. Solodar.
11) "Davno My Doma ne Byli" (We Haven't Been Home in Ages) - V. Solovyov-Sedoy/A. Fatyanov.
12) "Tyomnaya Noch" (Dark Night) - N. Bogoslovsky/V. Agatov.
13) Korrespondentskaya-Zastolnaya (The War-Correspondent's Drinking Song) - N. Simonov/M. Blanter.