« previous | TPM CAFÉ READER POSTS HOME | next »
The Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy of Leningrad Cowboys
Test time!
Check out this video.
Give me your psychological, sociological and philosophical interpretations.
If you can’t do that, then at least share your favorite videos and riff about whatever’s in your noggin’.
This is the way to real change.
This is the way to real enlightenmen
This is the way to Alabama --- the sweet home
Through Russia.
And Finland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks5CgSv_nCc
Advertisement
Comments (47)
In case you missed it, here's the link to the vid again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks5CgSv_nCc
I've shown you mine.
Take the test and show me yours.
And riff about ... whatever.
Don't forget to riff!
June 28, 2008 1:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
FYI folks, he's one of the Cowboys.
June 28, 2008 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shhhhhhh!
Sometimes it better not to tell! ;-)
June 29, 2008 1:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
;) I noticed you're quiet..
June 29, 2008 1:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's my take.
Thomas Friedman is right. The world is ever flattening. How else would a Finnish rock band ever secure the accompaniment of the Russian Army choir? And how else that pair, strange already, end up performing, of all things, Sweet Home Alabama?
And how many heads in Alabama would explode if the citizenry knew the Red Army Choir had, to a degree, co-opted this song?
A bunch!
So.
YOU play!
June 28, 2008 1:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Outstandingly bizarre. Loved your reference to Friedman's World is Flat; was that a double entendre? (Both an observation on global culture and a music critic's observation?)
Without doubt, the most benign use for military uniforms I have ever seen. Almost certainly the most fun the Red Army choir has ever had. And an absolute delight for those of us with Alabama (and Auburn) connections.
Thanks, Aubie 84; you made my day.
June 28, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was more talking about the Friedman thing with the flattening. I enjoy music immensely, but I'm more of an enthusiast than a critic.
That said, give! What are your connections to the Heart of Dixie and/or AU?
And meet satygraha down thread. He was once a Tiger. And, of course, once a Tiger ....
June 29, 2008 1:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Aubie, if the world is flattening, it happened over a decade ago. The cowboys first performed with the red army chorus choir in '94. I thought that's what your link was about and only just realized that it was a recent show. Rather, I'd say that this show is evidence of the cowboys need to demonstrate that they're still relevant (and to make money). The '94 show--that was cool.
June 28, 2008 9:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Correction: '93 show
June 28, 2008 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't say the world had flattened, I said it was flattening. And I think that process has been underway for quite a while.
Point of fact, I wasn't aware of when this video was made. I simply thought it was bizarre, and in a really weird way, profound.
And that, through the different players (Russia, Finland and Alabama) it was a good illustration of Friedman's tome.
And, dude, I'm an Alabamian! I think that ratcheted the significance for me!
(As it did wwstaebler and satyagraha who also have ties to our beautiful --- yes, beautiful --- state.)
June 29, 2008 12:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry to quibble, but that's what the cafe is about isn't it? I haven't read the World Is Flat, but from what I understand, Friedman's theory focuses on global commercialization driven mainly by technological advances, particularly the rise of the internet. The Leningrad Cowboys' '93 collaboration with the Red Army Choir was a publicity stunt that brought home the fact that the cold war was well and truly over. I think that the fall of the iron curtain may have been a prerequisite for Friedman's flattening to take place, but I don't think that a pre-internet cold-war-influenced entertainment collaboration is what Friedman was getting at. Though again, I haven't read the book, so please correct me if I'm misunderstanding his theory.
None of this is meant to take away from your delight in seeing the Red Army Chorus play Sweet Alabama. As I said, I'm a longtime fan of this particular collaboration. I'm happy that you posted it and recommend it to all. I wish I could find their version of California Girls.
PS For the record, the Leningrad Cowboys are a band in the same way the Monkeys are a band. They were created for a movie about a Russian band touring America (long before Borat), but they started performing on their own after the movie.
June 29, 2008 1:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I've always loved the Monkey's! Music more than the TV show. Don't be diss'im. Dude
June 29, 2008 1:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Who dissed? I have nothing critical to say about the Monkeys except that they didn't write their own music, didn't play their own instruments, and didn't create the name or concept for their own band.
June 29, 2008 1:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nesmith was pretty talented, I thought.
June 29, 2008 2:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
You are correct about the thesis of Friedman's book. What I was getting at with my original reference to Friedman was his emphasis on technology and that this video that ties together this unlikely global triad has been made widely available by that technology.
Do I think that such a collaboration as this one is a specific and exact example of what Friedman was talking about? No. It's been a while since I read the book, but I don't recall any mention of entertainment's role in his theory.
As I stated earlier, I didn't know a lot about the history of the performances of the Cowboys and the Choir (timing, that it was a publicity stunt, etc.), but I do think that, as I watch it today, it's somewhat illustrative of Friedman's point.
And, by the way, I love quibbling.
June 29, 2008 1:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh!
And Genghis?
You should really read the book.
June 29, 2008 2:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's on my shelf somewhere. I've already OD'd on Friedman's columns, so I'm not sure that I'm up for it anytime soon, but I'll take your rec under advisement when it's time for a new book.
June 29, 2008 2:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Then I am always happy to oblige. I'll give you "somewhat illustrative" and bid you a good night.
June 29, 2008 2:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hard to add anything to that. Spot on comment and great video! I wear my Urban Outfitters Hammer and Sickle T-shirt around DC all the time and don't even get a second glance from most people.
I haven't a single opportunity to go into my discussion of brands and how the Stars & Strips as every bit as much blood on its account as the Soviet brand does, much less Great Britain or Denmark or Spain.
June 28, 2008 4:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
PS: The fact that I used a sentence like "I wear my Urban Outfitters Hammer & Sickle T-shirt" is a perfect illsutration of your point without a video. :O)
June 28, 2008 4:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
If I ever see you in that shirt, I'll be sure to call you a commie.
I'd love to hear your retort! ;-)
June 28, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Aubie: that was so cool, and so weird. I have nothing to offer in return but the Vegetable Orchestra.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpfYt7vRHuY
June 28, 2008 9:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Cool!
I've always thought vegetable rocked!
June 28, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay Aubie, I'll play.
My physchological interpretation is that the Leningrad Cowboys are bat shit crazy.
Sociologically, people in Finland probably don't have a lot to do and appreciate watching people who are bat shit crazy.
Philosophically, I wonder if Ronald Reagan intended all along, in crushing the Evil Empire, to have the Red Army choir reduced to playing backup to a bunch of bat shit crazy guys.
June 28, 2008 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well played!
Though I find batshit crazy irresistibly interesting!
June 28, 2008 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
And, with the Fourth coming up, you might want to know that bottle rockets are two-for-one, but salvation's FREE at the Holy Ghost Big Bang Theory Pentecostal Fire and Brimstone Mission Temple Fireworks Stand!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7g14QbXu28&feature=related
June 28, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
ok, well that's just fucking sick. And 9 minutes of my life I'll never get back.
June 28, 2008 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Like time in line at the DMV, huh?
Sorry.
June 29, 2008 1:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
I loved this show when it came out. The best songs are the ones that the Russians sing. I quote them regularly in a thick Russian accent, but no one ever knows what I'm talking about. One of my favorites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm0iQz24Aac
I swear that they did California Girls too, but I can't find the link.
June 28, 2008 8:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was referring to their '94 show. I didn't realize that there was a new show. See my comment upthread.
June 28, 2008 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here is some Genghis, Genghis... http://youtube.com/watch?v=amCeqrpYzes
June 29, 2008 3:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
AM: Fantastic clip/song. Loved the comment from this youtuber:
June 29, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, yes, that barbaric emotion... it's inspiring me to conquer new territory and destroy civilizations.
June 29, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Reminds me of Berserker from Clerks.
June 29, 2008 8:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey Aubie! Ya still shifting around?
June 28, 2008 9:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Always shifting!
Where's my button? I waited for FedEx all day today!
June 29, 2008 1:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
UPS. But the buttons I send need no stinking brown bus. Consider it delivered!
June 29, 2008 1:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just wanted to say, I still live in a cave with dinosours roaming outside. Dial-up only. So I don't try to watch all the video / play all the audio clips that are offered so profusely with intentions to join folks together in a common place and purpose. Often feel alittle left out, but get over it quickly! There's something to be said for wiling away the hours taming the occassional Woolly Mammoth. Who do you think really created fire and shapeshifted the wheel? Gotta find something to do when everyone else in the other dimension is watching and listening without me.
I have taken the time and surrendered the patience to actually load two videos in the last three months. The first was Obama speaking to his campaign staff in Chicago after he effectively secured the nomination. Worth the delay in feeding the T. Rex., though I won't say what Mr. Rex did in protest. If you think a big dog is bad...
The second was "Leningrad Cowboys & Red Army Quoir - SWEET HOME ALABAMA" Took over 1 1/2 hours to load 2 minutes and 17 seconds. What I eventually watched will be in my head the rest of my life. Worth the time? You bet your ass it was. Thanks for that.
Back to housework, a cavelady's work is never done. Just wish I could get the dirt off this floor...
June 28, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I live in the exurbs of the sticks and just very recently got DSL. Purchased a router that ratcheted up the speed and now I'm good. But less than a year ago, I was right where you are.
I feel your pain.
That said, glad you took the time to download and elated that you found the experience worth that time!
June 29, 2008 1:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Appreciate the understanding. Guess I'm the only one left now.
June 29, 2008 1:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Aubie, you aren't in contention for mascot of the year every year for nothing! Thank you... that makes me happy.
No idea why this song comes to mind; there must be reasons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM0e1m9T9HQ&feature=related
June 29, 2008 12:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Damned skippy!
I'm one badass costumed cat!
But I need to check to see if it's alright if I blog in the suit.
Rule #1 for the Badass Cat: Stay mute in the suit!
And thanks for the Bowie! Can't go wrong with that!
June 29, 2008 1:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, be careful. I tried blogging in my 18th century philosopher costume. I ended up scaring away some of the locals.
June 29, 2008 8:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
satyagraha: Nice link to Bowie. I think that's my new nickname for George W. Bush --> "The Man Who Sold The World." (This goes nicely with his other nickname --> "He Who Cannot Be Named").
June 29, 2008 1:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm just sad I couldn't find any "Leningrad Cowboys" doing some Springsteen tunes.
June 29, 2008 1:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
But they perform something like a movie script - I'll take a shot at that which I think Aubie is getting.
Home = Mobilized
Home = Decentralized
Elvis = Managed Performance
Red Politics = Managed Economy
Dinosaur = Non-existence
Dancing = Openness
Streets = Societies
Add them up. Alabama is as central to the world as anywhere today. We rejoice at the extinction of closely controlled communication.
Or batshit crazy.
June 29, 2008 4:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
The flatenning of the world is not descriptive enough. A flat field can still have fences everywhere. Boundarylessness is more apt than Friedman's attempt. He sure made money though - boy he made money.
June 29, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Post a Comment