Tag Archives: nostalgia

Seen/Heard/Read

Explaining Russian Cartoons: Town Musicians of Bremen 2

Fast forward to 1973 and things have changed! Following the Town Musicians of Bremen hit screens. A sequel made fans all over Russia ecstatic, with new songs that were thankfully just as catchy, new adventures for our beloved heroes AND a whole new look!

Suddenly Troubadour was crush-worthy and every girl watching the cartoon sat up straighter. The more or less pudding-basin haircut on his blonde head changed to a boyband-esque bleached tousled do (though who knows, it might not have been bleached, he might have just been out in the sun a lot with all that traveling around). Sideburns since it was the 70s. His blue eyes were more pronounced, his flared pants got tighter around the rear end (with a cheeky hippie daisy on the back pocket) and his 70s collared shirt succeeded the baggy sweatshirt he had been wearing in his bachelor days. In short, Troubadour acquired some swag. And he was still singing all the time.

The Princess had undoubtedly also been influenced by a few years of life on the road with her new man and his animal band mates (maybe she was the one who picked out his new clothes?). Her hair grew out some more and still managed to look both wild and styled at the same time. The crown was gone, replaced by, of course, a wreath of daisies she had become an expert at making. Her 60s straight-cut mini-dress became yet shorter and figure-hugging, and somewhere along the way she ditched her knee-length boots in favor of running along green fields barefoot (mais oui). Less Pippi Longstocking, more hippie nymph.

Freedom, rebellion, romance and constant music accompany our heroes as they continue on their journey around the world. Obstacles are overcome, catchy quotable songs are once again introduced and Troubadour melted hearts everywhere with this most romantic ballad as he and his love were cruelly parted anew. The title of the song, A Ray of Golden Sun obviously refers to the Princess. And her hair. Best part? Troubadour is of course equipped with the right guitar for his performance, and what a performance it is.

As far as sequels go, this one was a big relief. La, la, la la laaaa…

 

 

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Seen/Heard/Read

Explaining Russian Cartoons: The Bremen Town Musicians

It was 1969 and an animated musical Russian retelling of the popular tale by the Brothers Grimm burst on to national screens, successfully singing its way in to the hearts of generations to come.

As a child I discovered a still working record player in the back of a closet, along with a stack of records next to it. Sifting through the colourful cases, my eyes fell on The Bremen Town Musicians. I slid the record on the player, carefully placed the needle on the vinyl and that was it.

With the combination of my Russian roots and this being one of the most beloved animated films ever produced in Russia, I keep feeling like it’s important to try and explain its appeal, even if not everyone can understand the language. ” I love it, dorogaya, you should love it too! Listen to me!” But hopefully they can understand some other things: the brilliant rhyming of the lyrics by Yuri Entin and their seamless interaction with the music by Gennady Gladkov, the immediate appeal of the catchy songs and how easy it is to sing along. The tale of friendship and love, the idyllic concept of traveling around a fictional kingdom, singing for a living, or just singing 24/7, with influences from former fashion and music, rock and roll in particular, permeating the adventures of Troubadour, his animal mates and the Princess.

Oleg Anofriev voiced practically every character in the cartoon and his multi-voiced singing is one of the trademarks of The Bremen Town Musicians. Here’s a vivid example in the song of the bandits, where he’s also singing the part of the female leader.

It’s a happy tale and a cartoon bursting with youth, energy and optimism, as well as humour. In quintessentially Russian fashion, the enduring popularity of The Bremen Town Musicians is cemented by the fact that it became almost completely quotable. Start singing a line from any songs among a group of Russians and chances are they will join in or give you a happy smile in return. The dignified and defiant “Quite ruffled, but not beaten” is another classic quote.

“There is nothing better than traveling the world with your friends/ Tempting arches in castles will never replace our freedom.” Yes, it’s not the same as in Russian, but you get the picture.

Videos from the Classic Cartoon Media YouTube channel.

 

 

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Thoughts

Prom Memories

A recent dinner conversation included reminiscing about favourite teenage flicks from the 90s and early 2000s, most of which included – surprise, surprise – a (usually USA-based) prom (situation). And with prom season fast approaching, I went down memory lane.

I don’t know how many times I watched She’s All That as my own prom approached, on VHS – the nostalgia! This scene in particular enjoyed some rewinding:

Then there was this here whimsical thing – the first time I had heard Kirsten Dunst sing was in Get Over It.

And, of course, Miss Congeniality. Even if it didn’t contain a prom scene and was about adults, not teens, it was very funny and had plenty of scene-stealing moments from Sandra Bullock that were more than adaptable to the excited prom mindset.

My own prom wasn’t a glittering, disco-light-soaked affair like in the movies above, and a memorable musical number wasn’t included either. In fact, the best part was going up on stage during the official part and having my family watch me get my diploma, and then joyfully leaving to celebrate elsewhere after seeing that the dancefloor in the school canteen had quickly become a mass of drunk teenagers and parents. I think I was fortunate to have an inkling that this was not the gateway to the rest of my life, but that my life was already happening. Despite the mild disappointment of not dancing the night away in a haze of youthful laughter and confetti, I knew this was not the last party ever. So I just amped up the positivity and focused on the not unimportant event of graduating.

There will indeed be other parties – student parties, friend parties, wedding parties, summer parties, birthday parties, family parties, work parties, all of them different and educational in their own unique ways. The glories of adulthood and not being a minor will also ensure an independent and rounded partying experience. And psst, despite what some people may repeat to you, there is no age limit to this. Don’t listen to the party poopers.

 

 

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