Anastassia - Garcon Nomer Dva
April 17, 2008 10:24 am Covers, In Other Languages, Music with Friends, SinglesThis is a great song written by Boris Grebenshikov, the genius behind Akvarium, one of Russia’s most influential and amazing groups. I think of Grebenshikov as occupying a cultural and musical space somewhere between Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and John Lennon. The more I listen to his music, the deeper and more wonderful it gets.
The song you’re about to hear is our cover version of Garcon Nomer Dva (which translates as “Boy Number Two”, a phrase as mysterious in English as it is in Russian). This cover is quite old, dating from 2005. It happened late one night in the fall when I was trying to work on a concept album and failing horribly. At the same time - literally in the background - Anastassia had figured out this song. Happily I gave up my own futile project and we set about recording her.
It was a lot of fun. We first laid down her guitar track, which she played on her gorgeous handmade czech acoustic. Then came the vocals with only one overdub, which happened when she got so overcome with emotion that she choked up and had to take a break (the words really are quite powerful). We wrapped up the evening with my putting down a bass and, of course, taking a couple solos. In all honesty I’m not sure how this really holds up next to Grebenshikov’s original, but at least we had a good time doing it.
Jonathan :
Date: April 17, 2008 @ 9:56 pm
Wow! I can’t believe how beautiful Nastja’s voice is! Great song. Thanks for sharing! If you wanted to be really generous,(and had the time) you might publish a text translation for those of us who have to just imagine what she’s saying. I know you can do it…!
Daniel :
Date: April 29, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
Here’s a translation, courtesy of Lavalingua.com (hee hee):
Garçon number two, garçon number two
The foliage withered on our branches
Perhaps the rumors are true
And it is all but a dream, garçon number two.
Here is the table where I used to sit and drink; here is whisky and ice
The drink has become legend; the table has been donated to a museum
And here behind the glass, I see the mummies of all my close friends
But I’d just left for five minutes to buy cigarettes.
I took a stroll around the Latin Quarter
Turned off of Camden Lock to the corner of Nevskij and Tverskaya
I was spiritual when I left and I came back worldly
And I could have vanished, but no, I’m still here.
So, garçon number two, garçon number two
The mind either bursts into flames, or barely glimmers
But thoughts are dead, my dear, and life is alive
And it is all but a dream, garçon number two.
The ringing of bells flows like anointing oil
Oh, my soul, stop and pray! Where are you hurrying?
It is quiet here, there are icons of the Beatles, there is laudanum and hashish
But none of it matters to me, so long as you feel brighter.
So, garçon number two, garçon number two
The graveyard is wrapped in silence; flowers and grasses cover our coffins
It seems after all that the rumors are true
It is all but a dream, garçon number two.
And since it’s a dream, why are you standing still,
garçon number two?