Studio Outtakes, Rarities, & Live Cuts

Various concert and non-album recordings:

2017 “25 to Life” (“Правда ведь обидно…”), live featuring Foster Provost (harmonica).  In Russian and in English.

2014 “Парус” (“The Sail”):  lyrics by Vladimir Vysotsky, music by Sinner.

2014 “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy”:  music & lyrics by Pete Seeger, produced by Vadim Astrakhan.

2014 “Be Grateful You’re Alive” (“Скажи Спасибо Что Живой”) featuring Nina Kharakoz (accordion).

2014 “Everybody’s Gone to War” (“Все Ушли на Фронт”) featuring Nina Kharakoz (accordion).

2014 “One Failed Romance” (“Несостоявшийся Роман”), live at JetLag2014 featuring Irina Smirnova (piano).

2011 “Robin Hood” (“Баллада о Вольных Стрелках), live at Burns-Vysotsky Festival featuring Tommy Beavitt (guitar) and Andrei Uspenski (violin).

2011 “Ships” (“Корабли”), live at Burns-Vysotsky Festival featuring Symphonic Orchestra of Sverdlovsk State Conservatory.

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VYSOTSKY’S POETRY

“The One I Serve” (“Я спокоен, он мне все поведал…”)

I’m alright.  He has informed me plainly,
Told me not to hide, and I step forth:
Everyone who wronged me and betrayed me
Will be punished by the One I Serve!

I don’t know how:  by a jackknife’s slash,
Or will their house burn down into ash,
Or will they be demoted, crushed, imprisoned…
When?  I have no idea.  Maybe even
Tomorrow, or in years, or it’s done
Already!  Fate will not be outrun!

You cannot race against it on a spare.
You cannot seep through it or go around.
So I’m alright.  It’s true:  for all I care,
Let stones, hail, or bullets strike you down!

1973, translated in 2020

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Vysotsky’s Final Poem (“Марине”)

There’s ice above me.  There’s ice below.
Should I drill upward? Should I bust the floor?
Up, up, of course! I hope, therefore I float,
Expecting foreign visas at my door.

I must break out, escape this icy chamber.
I’m sweating like a farmer at the plow.
I will return! Just like those ships, remember?
And bring you all my poems with a bow.

I’m less than fifty but the time is short.
By you and God protected, life and limb.
I have a song or two to sing before the Lord!
I have a way to make my peace with him!

July 1980, translated in 2012