United Press International, CD Review >>
RUSSIAN BOB DYLAN RETURNS
Boris Grebenshikov, the "Russian Bob Dylan," and his group Akvarium (Aquarium) blasted onto the Leningrad rock scene in 1973 when there were very few "official" groups in the Soviet Union. The Russian rock legend refused to submit his contemplative songs to the government's censorship committees. When Akvarium could not get sanctioned gigs, they played in underground venues, basements, back alley bars, building one of the most loyal fan bases of any Russian act. Grebenshikov, whose first global release "Russian Songwriter," will be issued on Naxos World Feb. 18, finally were allowed to visit the United States without defecting. Now he is the country's rock poet laureate, and this album, which is closer to Leonard Cohen than Dylan in sensibility, shows why. 02/06/03
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