Vladimir Vysotsky - Selected Songs

Until his death, Vladimir Vysotsky was a prophet without honor in his own country; although he wrote more than a thousand highly popular songs, he died without an official record release to his name. The reason for this studied neglect lay in the political tenor of his material. Vysotsky, who began performing in the 1960s, was quite critical of the Communist regime, and his lyrics took position on the Soviet status quo. His songs derived from the blatny pesny (literally, delinquent song) tradition, with its celebration of sex, drink, and street fights. Informally distributed cassettes ensured Vysotsky a wide and enthusiastic following. After his death, in 1980, Gorbachev granted his music an imprimatur and a 20-album retrospective was released.
Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky was a Russian actor and poet, who wrote biting satire and performed his compositions to a rapt Russian audience. His social and political satire shed much needed light on the ironies and hardships of Soviet life. Walking a fine line between rebellion and conformity, he became immensely popular and died prematurely of alcoholism. The outpouring of grief upon his death was enormous and his music was issued in many forms

1. Koni Priveredlivye (5:38)
2. Ona Byla V Parizhe (1:47)
3. 07 (2:31)
4. Dom Xrystalnyi (2:28)
5. Skalolazka (2:43)
6. Zdes Lapy Y Elei Drozhat Na Vesy... (3:19)
7. Esche Ne Vecher (2:43)
8. V Xoloda, V Xoloda... (2:30)
9. Moskva - Odessa (3:00)
10. Tsyganochka (4:28)
11. My Vraschaem Zemljy (3:45)
12. Chernye Byshlaty (3:31)
13. Jak Istrebitel (3:21)
14. Ny Bot, Ischezla Drozh V Rykax... (2:48)
15. Marsh Shaxterov (2:45)
16. Korabli Postojat - I Lozhatsja Na Kyrs... (2:54)
17. Pesenka O Pereselenii Dysh (2:07)
18. Chto Slychilos V Afrike (2:16)
19. Ytrennjaja Gimnastika (3:06)
20. Beloe Bezmolvie (3:23)