Laima Vaikule’s Greatest Hits
Claire Marsden
The collection of songs on Laima Vaikule’s greatest hits album takes you back 20 years to the mid-1980s when the Latvian singer was at the height of her popularity. Her voice belts out chirpy number after chirpy number, accompanied by what can only be described as bontempy backing and numerous saxophone solos. This is a genre that I am not at all familiar with, but when I played the CD to Russian friends they knew every word. With big grins on their faces, some declared themselves fans while others noted that some of her songs belong to a different time. For anyone who has visited a Russian club/bar/restaurant and witnessed the energy and enthusiasm that many of the customers throw into their dance moves, heads and arms waving, the urge to jig and parade around their living rooms may be irresistible.
Vaikule, who lives in Riga but has a second home here in Moscow, will be visiting the capital in early June, and I think it is safe to predict a powerful performance of old favorites from this popular songstress and a lively and appreciative audience.
Laima Vaikule will be performing in Moscow on June 1 as part of the Blast Fest Music Festival.
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