Billy's Band
Billy’s Band is a Russian blues and jazz fusion trio. Not to be confused wi… Read Full Bio ↴Billy’s Band is a Russian blues and jazz fusion trio. Not to be confused with the New York City group Bill's Band.
Started as a mere musical joke for friends, the trio became popular on the clubbing stage in St.Petersburg (2002) and Moscow (2003). Their program combines cover versions of Tom Waits’ songs, author’s compositions, American Gothic, own life experiences, stories told by friends and urban mythology. The Billy’s Band musicians call their style Funeral Dixieland with an Infinite Happy End. ... See their official website: http://www.billysband.ru/
Tackling anything by Tom Waits is like wrestling an alligator: do it well and you`ve got a new pair of shoes:, screw up and you`re dead, Jack. Describing themselves as a Dixiland funeral with an infinite happy end, Billy`s band is on the fringe in its St.Petersburg home and will be on the fringe of the fringe here. Bandleader, Billy Novik heard Waits` “Early Years, vol.1”, and that is all she wrote. Novik barks gruff and hip (in Russian and English) just like Waits – or perhaps Cookie Monster on a vodka bender. A great deal of the band`s repertoire is Waits` stuff, and when the band ventures out on its own, the genius, the oddity, and the antiquated charm still shines, just like those alligator shoes I was talking about.
Billy's Band, the Tom Waits-inspired outfit from St. Petersburg, Russia, was held up at the Canadian border Friday while on its way to the Rochester International Jazz Festival. But fest co-producer John Nugent, who has a lot of experience in dealing with passport issues and paper problems, managed to talk the guys into the country in time for their shows at Max of Eastman Place. Safely onstage, they stole the night with their blend of beat-poet ballads, off-kilter rhythms and comedic timing. CDs were snapped up by consumers hungry for the band's brand of compelling weirdness. All of the English-language ones were gone by the second show, but I bought two, anyway: Anybody out there speak Russian?
The word on the street, which I picked up rather late, was that the guys from St. Petersburg, Russia were tearing down the house over at Max. Having had plenty of straight-ahead jazz from the Hammers, I left early to see what the fuss was about. And now, after the fact, I'm kicking myself that I didn't heed the advice sooner.
Billy's Band is like a combined Dixieland and polka band that plays almost jazzy. When you hear a big smash, it's one of the dudes crashing cymbals over his head to a crazy march. The lead singer/bassist (yeah, it's a bassist heading the ship) Billy Novik has a voice that can only be compared to Louis Armstrong. It's gritty and feels like it comes straight out of his gut. But he's a funny little white guy with a funny hat and even funnier stories about being told the difference between a bass and a coffin ("the dead guy's inside of the coffin").
They were wearing worn-down trench coats and no shirts, letting their bellies show for everyone. You might call them strange, but just call them special. They were that kind of underground street band that's got oodles of talent, but you don't want them to be too big because that dark atmosphere really suits their style. The crowd went wild for these guys, bringing them out for an encore and standing ovation. might pick up a CD tomorrow -- they were that good.
If Thursday night is the unofficial start of the weekend, Friday is the real thing. Go out, enjoy the late-night stuff. If any of Billy's Band gets up there, I'm gonna be lovin' it.
Started as a mere musical joke for friends, the trio became popular on the clubbing stage in St.Petersburg (2002) and Moscow (2003). Their program combines cover versions of Tom Waits’ songs, author’s compositions, American Gothic, own life experiences, stories told by friends and urban mythology. The Billy’s Band musicians call their style Funeral Dixieland with an Infinite Happy End. ... See their official website: http://www.billysband.ru/
Tackling anything by Tom Waits is like wrestling an alligator: do it well and you`ve got a new pair of shoes:, screw up and you`re dead, Jack. Describing themselves as a Dixiland funeral with an infinite happy end, Billy`s band is on the fringe in its St.Petersburg home and will be on the fringe of the fringe here. Bandleader, Billy Novik heard Waits` “Early Years, vol.1”, and that is all she wrote. Novik barks gruff and hip (in Russian and English) just like Waits – or perhaps Cookie Monster on a vodka bender. A great deal of the band`s repertoire is Waits` stuff, and when the band ventures out on its own, the genius, the oddity, and the antiquated charm still shines, just like those alligator shoes I was talking about.
Billy's Band, the Tom Waits-inspired outfit from St. Petersburg, Russia, was held up at the Canadian border Friday while on its way to the Rochester International Jazz Festival. But fest co-producer John Nugent, who has a lot of experience in dealing with passport issues and paper problems, managed to talk the guys into the country in time for their shows at Max of Eastman Place. Safely onstage, they stole the night with their blend of beat-poet ballads, off-kilter rhythms and comedic timing. CDs were snapped up by consumers hungry for the band's brand of compelling weirdness. All of the English-language ones were gone by the second show, but I bought two, anyway: Anybody out there speak Russian?
The word on the street, which I picked up rather late, was that the guys from St. Petersburg, Russia were tearing down the house over at Max. Having had plenty of straight-ahead jazz from the Hammers, I left early to see what the fuss was about. And now, after the fact, I'm kicking myself that I didn't heed the advice sooner.
Billy's Band is like a combined Dixieland and polka band that plays almost jazzy. When you hear a big smash, it's one of the dudes crashing cymbals over his head to a crazy march. The lead singer/bassist (yeah, it's a bassist heading the ship) Billy Novik has a voice that can only be compared to Louis Armstrong. It's gritty and feels like it comes straight out of his gut. But he's a funny little white guy with a funny hat and even funnier stories about being told the difference between a bass and a coffin ("the dead guy's inside of the coffin").
They were wearing worn-down trench coats and no shirts, letting their bellies show for everyone. You might call them strange, but just call them special. They were that kind of underground street band that's got oodles of talent, but you don't want them to be too big because that dark atmosphere really suits their style. The crowd went wild for these guys, bringing them out for an encore and standing ovation. might pick up a CD tomorrow -- they were that good.
If Thursday night is the unofficial start of the weekend, Friday is the real thing. Go out, enjoy the late-night stuff. If any of Billy's Band gets up there, I'm gonna be lovin' it.
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Billy's Band Lyrics
Blue Valentines Она шлёт мне грустные валентинки из Филаделфии Ко дню рожде…
Chocolate Jesus Это было на рождество. Наш городок замело снегом. Я возвращ…
Clap hAnds Я родился на заднем сидении желтого нью-йоркского такси с т…
Cold Ground Вы знаете, бывает... Сегодня, сегодня тучи, завтра слёзы с …
Down in A Hole When you walk through the garden You'd better watch your ba…
Gunstreet girl Однажды ночью я спустился в бар гостиницы, купил бутылку ви…
I'll be gone Tonight I’ll shave the mountain I’ll cut the hearts from ph…
I'll shoot the moon Многие почему-то думают что я знаю секрет счастливой жизни.…
Ice creAm man Click by your house about two forty-five With a sidewalk su…
Jesus Gonna Be Here Ни для кого не секрект, что... Хотя, возможно, вы сочтете э…
Jockey Full Of Bourbon Edna Million in a drop dead suit Dutch Pink on a…
More than Rain It's more than rain that falls on our parade tonight It's…
Raindogs Каждую ночь в один и тот же час этот человек…
ReeperbAhn Around the curve of The Parrot Bar A broken-down old movie…
So Long I'll see yA Я, я хотел рассказать Вам о плохих днях. У меня было…
Somebody I want somebody to share Share the rest of my…
Tango Till They're Sore Музыке и пению я научился у двух своих дядьёв. Один из…
Temptation Rusted brandy in a diamond glass Everything is made from dr…
Variations on Billy's band Ночной проспект И звёзды ползут наверх Где-то на углу мерцае…
Бильярд Дело было вечером, делать было нечего, А не пойти ли мне…
В Этом Городе В этом городе белых ночей и ветров Непризнаных гениев, шлюх …
Вася Когда горят огнем витрины на старых улицах Москвы, Нетрудно…
Время которое нужно убить Вот пепел, который мы сделали вместе Вот запах с печальным н…
Где спит твоё сердце Вот и кончились зимние вьюги Зазвенели капели Запах земли и …
Голос Брехуна А рассказать друзьям - ведь засмеют же тут же А если…
Дорожная Как дома я давно не видел, Ходил-бродил по белу свету. И г…
Дура Я нашел тебя в консервной банке. Ты была голодной и худой. …
Кафе "Последний путь" В голове туман, на сердце ртуть. Дорога, ты ведёшь меня сюда…
Коктейль Сидел и смотрел, как усталое солнце Купалось в моем недопит…
Любовь Зима пронеслась, и весна началась, И птицы на дереве каждом…
Мария Мария, хватай детей, вода все выше - Мутный поток пришел…
Муз Замбела У-о-о-о, Муз Замбела! У-о-о-о, Муз Замбела! У-о-о-о, Муз З…
Невиновен О том, что мать его пьет, знал весь город, Что превратила…
Некуда Я, наверно, слишком долго ждал. Что-то главное проспал опять…
Немного смерти немного любви Спят игрушки, книжки спят Окурки во всех кружках и бутылках …
Открытка от... Привет, Чарли. Я беременна по-моему Снова. Живу теперь на де…
Последний день лета Пустые карманы, промокшие кости Гнилые ботинки Луна и вороны…
Пошук Тихо віє вітер, опадає листя, І морозом в спину дихає зима.…
Райончик Медленно-медленно я пройдусь по райончику. То ли иду, то ли…
Счастье есть Не родись богатым, говорил отец Кому-то ананасы, кому-то хол…
Так я падал Я сижу во дворе своего дома На скамейке под ольхой, все…
Эдвард Вы слышали эту новость про беднягу Эдварда? На затылке у не…