Radio Pobedy: a personal look at military songs

No less fervent, life-affirming and somehow popular turned out to be VIA Raznosoli, which we mentioned earlier. Just the other day, they recorded a cover of German Orlov’s song “Isaac”, giving it some of their warm yard romance. It is not in the format of our magazine to make announcements of events, but we will make an exception: you will be able to hear it yourself on Victory Day in the St. Petersburg bar “Damn It”.

Raznosoli – Isaac

If we go into the lyrical side, then it is impossible to pass by the work of the great Mark Bernes. “Dark Night” is most likely the favorite military song of a huge number of listeners. The thing is, how touching and intimate it sounds.

The Horonko Orchestra team managed to increase this intimacy. The guys don’t seem to be very friendly towards us, but still, their native jazz cabaret style allows them to do a lot of things that are dear to our hearts. The clarinet part was particularly successful in this version.

Horonko Orchestra – Dark Night

But the most amazing version, of course, was made by our legendary Uralians, The Stockmen. After all, their “Dark Night” is surfing! A bold, powerful and cool trick allows you to look at your favorite melody from a completely different perspective. One of my friends told me that this is the only version of this song that doesn’t make her cry. Let’s take this as a complement to the version. I am especially pleased with the inserts of monologues from the film “Two Fighters”, where this immortal song was first performed.

The Stockmen – Dark Night

If famous military songs change mainly in form, then some forgotten hits of the forties may surprise with their content. This does not apply to our classics: we love, honor and know them almost by heart. We will talk about the allies of the USSR during the Second World War. If Utesov performed “Bombers” (by the way, it was also called “The Song of the American Bombers”)- this is almost a literal translation of Comin’ in on a Wing and a Prayer, whereas Stalin Wasn’t Stallin’ was performed exclusively in English. He recorded it in the same year in 1943 by the Golden Gate Quartet in support of the successes of the Red Army. At a minimum, this is a unique artifact of the era, which you should familiarize yourself with.

The Golden Gate Quartet – Stalin Wasn’t Stallin’

Woody Guthrie maintained a much more complementary tone. In 1946, after the Victory, he recorded his country song Miss Pavlichenko, dedicated to the Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko. This is a true anthem to the heroism of the Soviet people. As you might guess, Woody himself was an ardent supporter of the fight against Nazism, so he couldn’t help but immortalize such a significant hero.

Woody Guthrie – Miss Pavlichenko

Some Western allies did not so much glorify heroes as they cursed villains. The legendary bluesman Ledbelly was noted in this field. In his Mr. Hitler, he perfectly goes through the main enemy, identifying him with the enemy of the human race.

Leadbelly – Mr. Hitler

Red Foley did the same thing. In his Smoke on the Water, he not only curses the Axis leaders, but also more explicitly describes what exactly will lead them to defeat. This is a completely different smoke above the water, not purple at all and much more deadly.

Red Foley – Smoke on the Water

In general, the idea of extrapolating military songs to all the surrounding eras was a great success for one radio station. The headline “Radio Pobedy” appeared in my city on the sixtieth anniversary of this great event. The original idea to broadcast Victory music 24/7 all year round showed its dubiousness already at the end of May. Despite all the variety of war songs, listening to them alone is something very strange. Therefore, the radio station expanded the format, incorporating pre-war and post-war songs. Among other things, the fathers of rock and roll sounded on her waves then. So many of my countrymen had the opportunity to listen to Chuck Berry on the radio. Radio Pobedy is now out of the FM band, but you can hear it on your computers. The link is attached:http://radiopobeda.ru/

The necessary conservatism sometimes does not prevent you from looking at the classics in a new way, thus feeling it more personally. Today I have shown you several different views on this sacred and traditional music that can help you better experience this bright and sad holiday. Happy Victory Day!