A long awaited meeting

 

The first month of the new 2023 will offer music lovers in Sofia a meeting with one of the great artists of our time - Boris Grebenshchikov.

I read the comments below BG's concert event on social networks and I am not surprised. For a musician of such magnitude, there is no way the opinions are not polar. One is either immersed in this magical-mystical world of his, or one hasn't touched Grebenshchikov's work at all.

BG's philosophy and music in particular, are far deeper and more encompassing than the mainstream listener's understanding. His rebelliousness was never a pose. Ever since way back in 1980, when Soviet reality practically rejected him after a one-off in Tbilisi. More light on those times is shed by Sergei Solovyov's brilliant film ASSA, which tries to push (as far as the status quo allows) new ideas and also to laughs and cries at that same status quo.

Decades later, at the beginning of 2023, BG's concert in Sofia sold out and the band announced a second date the next day. Hard work in complicated times.

In addition, our encounter with the world and Boris Grebenshchikov's music took place in Kiev exactly ten years ago (today's photo was taken on the very day of the concert 10 years ago).

We have commented many times at home on the fact that BG's music and messages are timeless - they don't age and lose their "modernity" as the years and decades pass. Just as it is with the music of Grebenshchikov's great friend David Bowie.

Every encounter with BG's art is a sacrament and we are waiting for a new one on January 27th in Sofia.

Until then, we dedicate our January to the music of Boris Grebenshchikov and Aquarium.

Today it is the wise song "Akuna Matata" from the album "Loshad Belaya”.

January 2023
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