Okean Elzy say goodbye with their "Gloria" tour
by Paul Miazga, Kyiv Post Staff Writer
Nov 09 2005, 21:44
OE, one of Ukraine's greatest bands, will take the stage one last time
in Kyiv as part a cross-country tour
It's hard to believe that the show will soon be over. For Lviv's Okean
Elzy and heartthrob lead singer Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, the end has come
after nearly 17 years, six albums and popular success that extends
beyond Ukraine's borders.
Okean Elzy can be counted, with Vopli Vidoplyassova and 5'nizza, as one
of the greatest Ukrainian bands ever. Vakarchuk, along with former lead
guitarist, backing vocalist and co-songwriter Pavlo Hudimov, built up a
fan base by writing moody, romantic pop songs with meaningful Ukrainian
lyrics and playing them in signature dramatic style. A generation of
Ukrainian fans surely knows the words to such OE classics as "Vidpusti"
("Let Me Go"), "Kvitka" ("Flower") and "Druh" ("Friend").
OE's popularity eventually spread beyond Ukraine, and they toured
Western Europe and Russia. An acoustic "unplugged" concert called
"Tikhiy Okean" ("Quiet Ocean") at the Ukraine Palace concert hall in
2003, with the National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, was another
career highlight. They won respect for their music, but also for their
showmanship and genuine ability to reach out to fans.
Time and growing success brought changes to the band. Hudimov sought
greater freedom for his own musical projects, as did bass guitarist
Yuriy Khustochka and keyboard player Dmytro Shurov, and the three left
the band in 2004 despite pulling together at Independence Square in a
show of unity during last fall's Orange Revolution.
Vakarchuk has himself been involved with various other projects. He's
worked for President Viktor Yushchenko, who named him as a presidential
advisor on youth issues in January. Despite it all, Vakarchuk and
long-serving band mate Denis Hlinin, plus newcomers Denis Dudko, Milosh,
and Petro Chernyavsky, managed to put out a new album, "Gloria," which
will be promoted extensively on their current cross-country farewell
tour.
Fans of the band, as well as anyone who likes good pop music that's
well-arranged and well-written, will find that Okean Elzy's farewell
tour should not be missed.
Okean Elzy "Gloria"
farewell tour
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 8 p.m.
Sports Palace (1 Sportyvna, Palats Sportu metro, 246-7405/6).
Tickets from Hr 50.
wow now i really wish i was in Ukraine...
