Home | Russian Music
This is where it all started for me. I was on YouTube and came across a Russian music video and was about to go to something else after 30 seconds when I realized that I liked it. So from that one I watched another and then another. And now I own about 40 CDs and still don't understand a word of it.
ВИА ГРА (Via Gra)
This is the group that first got me hooked on non-English music. They are living proof that the concept can trump the person. The group has changed size starting at 2 women and being 3 and 4 (and now back to 3) at various times. I think there have been 9 women who have been in it at different times. But through it all the type of music and quality of the singing have held constant and has been superb. And while some of their music is definitely bubble-gum pop, quite a bit goes well beyond it. Their breadth is such that I could easily have picked 10 or more songs to show here. (Some of the members of Via Gra are Ukrainian and so the group is sometimes called Ukrainian rather than Russian.)
Алсу (Alsou)
An amazing vocalist. And I love her videos because in many of them I can figure out the story. She arguably has the best voice in Russia.
Варвара (Varvara)
I think she has the most interesting music of anyone in Russia. Some of it has a definite Middle-Eastern flavor but all of it is uniquely her. You can recognize a number of the groups by their voice or style. But Varvara is the one where you hear a song and you know it must be her. If you are going to introduce someone to Russian pop, this is the place to start because her music is unique, haunting, and beautiful.
Валерий Меладзе (Valeriy Meladze)
I have to include a male vocalist or my daughters get mad at me. Seriously, he is very good, both his voice and what he sings. And has a wide range of songs. He also does a lot of songs with other artists such as Via Gra and Ani Lorak and I think some of his best work is with others.
Блестящие (Blestyashie)
You want bubblegum pop, we've got bubblegum pop. But they are so good at it. They are really in a sense a choir, when all four are singing it is beautiful. When it's just one they are merely good. And when you want background music that will make you smile, this is it. (Like Via Gra the membership of Blestyashie evolves over time and included Zhanna Friske at one time.)
Жанна Фриске (Zhanna Friske)
She is definitely gorgeous and that helps her popularity. But she also has and incredible voice with some very catchy tunes. When you watch her videos watch how they cut it - she can't dance so they hide that.
Lots of others
Here's a random selection of additional artists. Great songs all. The last one is Ani Lorak & Via Gra and is absolutely incredible.
Comments