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.
Райончик
Billy's Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
То ли иду, то ли плыву - не пойму.
Плюну, вспомню тебя, закурю папиросу я,
Дуну пивка и тебя навещу.
Лестницы тёмный подвал, запахи грустные,
И в углу пыльным мешком кто-то лежит.
Стены исписаны сплошь, буквы нерусские.
Дома нет никого, значит где-то бродишь ты.
Выйду во двор, подожду, посижу на бревне.
Солнце упало, и все надежды поломаны
Кроме одной, той, что ты возвратишься ко мне.
Я посижу до темна, торопиться мне некуда.
Холодно стало, и градус пора повышать.
Звёздочкой манит киоск, и я иду туда.
Там может наши дорожки сойдутся опять.
Сойдутся опять...
Сойдутся опять...
The song Райончик by Billy's Band describes a nostalgic walk through a dismal district where the singer is reminded of someone they miss terribly. The opening lines reflect the singer's uncertain movement as they walk or float through the district in a slow, pensive manner. The image of the singer lighting a cigarette and taking a swig of beer suggests a solitary and melancholic vibe. Despite the desolation and uninviting atmosphere of the district, the singer seems comforted by the thought of visiting the person they miss.
The song's chorus captures a sense of hope and longing as the singer waits for the person they miss to return. The image of a dusty, dark basement filled with sad smells and a person lying in a dusty corner creates a sense of gloominess and hopelessness that permeates the song. The graffiti and unreadable letters on the walls suggest a form of escape and isolation from the strictures of language and cultural boundaries.
Overall, Райончик is about missing someone in a desolate environment and longing for their return. The song's atmosphere is somber yet hopeful, with a hint of nostalgia and reflection.
Line by Line Meaning
Медленно-медленно я пройдусь по райончику.
I will take a slow stroll through the neighborhood.
То ли иду, то ли плыву - не пойму.
I can't tell if I'm walking or floating.
Плюну, вспомню тебя, закурю папиросу я,
I'll spit, remember you, and light a cigarette.
Дуну пивка и тебя навещу.
I'll take a sip of beer and come visit you.
Лестницы тёмный подвал, запахи грустные,
Dark stairs to the basement, sad smells,
И в углу пыльным мешком кто-то лежит.
and someone is lying in the dusty corner.
Стены исписаны сплошь, буквы нерусские.
The walls are covered in non-Russian letters.
Вот почему изучают английский язык.
That's why people learn English.
Дома нет никого, значит где-то бродишь ты.
No one's at home, so you must be wandering somewhere.
Выйду во двор, подожду, посижу на бревне.
I will go out to the yard, wait, and sit on a log.
Солнце упало, и все надежды поломаны
The sun has set, and all hope is lost,
Кроме одной, той, что ты возвратишься ко мне.
except for the one that you will return to me.
Я посижу до темна, торопиться мне некуда.
I will sit until dark, I have nowhere to hurry.
Холодно стало, и градус пора повышать.
It has become cold, and it's time to raise the degree.
Звёздочкой манит киоск, и я иду туда.
The kiosk beckons with a star, and I go there.
Там может наши дорожки сойдутся опять.
Maybe there, our paths will cross again.
Сойдутся опять...
They will converge again...
Сойдутся опять...
They will converge again...
Contributed by Noah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.