Customer Reviews

Bering Strait

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you've grown weary of music that you can't tell is country or not, Bering Strait might be just what you are looking for. Excellent vocal and instrumental country music. "Bering Strait" (track 10) is an instrumental tract that fully showcases the musical ability of the group. "Parushka-Paranya" (cut 11) doesn't let you forget that this blue-grass side of country group is really from Russia. There is not a track I didn't like (unusual for me). Not perfect - I think the tracts could have been organized on the disk - but an truly outstanding first effort from a new group, none the less. Be sure and watch the trailer from the documentary "The Ballad of Bering Strait". I also particularly enjoyed the video extra of "Bering Strait" and "Jagged Edge of a Broken Heart".

I heard about the band from my sister-in-law, who made a documentary film about the group entitled "The Ballad of Bering Strait". I am not a country music fan, but really enjoy this album. The lead singer, Natasha, is gifted, as are all the musicians in the group. The music will be enhanced if you have the opportunity to see the film about their tough journey from Russia to Nashville and finally getting their album released.

Well, not exactly in terms of originality, but certainly in terms of origin. Making it to these comments, you surely already know that the musicians who make up Bering Strait hail from Russia. At first glance, this first CD is a charming novelty: 6 young Russian-bred musicians turn out a Nashville CD that's as good as any slick, highly-produced Country release on the market. Heck, you'd swear that when they speak (and you can hear them do so on this enhanced CDs video clips), lead singer Natasha Borzilova and lead guitarist Ilya Toshinsky have a twinge of Southern twang in their voices. And when Natasha sings, all bets are off (are they sure Russia isn't a county somewhere in Tennessee?). As you listen to the CD, you may never forget the novelty, but you'll become impressed by the talent. Although most of the songs are pure "product" out of the Nashville factory, the skill with musical instruments and the vibrancy of Natasha's voice more than make up for the simple songcraft. There are certainly likeable songs here, the single "Jagged Edge of a Broken Heart" and "Like a Child" stand out. And guitarist Toshinsky takes shared credit on two songs, indicating there may be a budding songsmith in the band. But in the end, this CD isn't designed to break new musical ground with the trendiness or depth of the songs. It's designed to prove that these kids from Russia can deliver as good as the home-grown talent. The artistry they display on this debut effort is promise that they'll likely do even better on future releases as they begin to assert their individuality. You'll buy this CD for the novelty. You'll enjoy it for the sheer display of talent. And I bet you'll keep an eye out for their next CD!

I cannot begin to tell you how terrific this CD is. This band, despite all obstacles, has turned my CD collection upside down. I have not been this excited about a country artist since I discovered Reba McEntire several years ago. Their music has an eclectic blend of soul, rock, pop, country, jazz, blues, etc. They don't seem to be bound by a certain genre.

I went to see them at City Jazz at Universal City Walk Orlando on April 11, 2003. I got the pleasure of meeting the leader singer, Natasha. I also got my picture taken with her and her autograph. She was such a nice person to meet, and the entire band mingled with the concert goers. They were one of us, and that was a nice feeling.

I wish Bering Strait nothing but the biggest success! They certain deserve it!

I first saw this group on the Grand Ole Opry. The sound is young, pure and country yet with a little Patsy Cline. Buy it you will love it!

BUY THIS CD NOW !!!
In this age of cookie cutter, "Fix it in the mix", prefab American Idol pop stars, these
young musicians are truly a breath of fresh air. I had the good fortune of seeing Bering
Strait at the World music concert series at Epcot, in the Walt Disney resort.
It was so nice to see a band having fun on stage. Its very unfair to pigeonhole them as just
a Bluegrass band, they are so much more talented and cross over to so many different
styles of music. Their live sets include everything from Russian Folk, Dire Straights,
Allen Jackson, and more.

Natasha Borzilova's vocal's are truly a treat, If you like Patsy Cline or Martina Mcbride
check out tracks 3 and 5. When joined with the harmonies of Lydia Salnikova (who by
the way, should have more vocal time on the next album) have sound while unique shows
hints of the Wilson sisters of Heart mixed with a touch of the Indigo Girls, and just a
sprinkle of the early Judd's albums.

Ilya Toshinsky is going to be the next member in the banjo pantheon of Earl
Scruggs, Bela Fleck, Roy Clark and the other greats. He leads into the manic pace of
track 10, the Grammy nominated Bearing Straight. The talent to go from a lead guitar
into a banjo solo and back show the deep talent of this young man.
Sasha Ostrovsky should be applauded for taking the Dobro from a sideline
instruments into for all intents a lead intstrument. His playing is a great addition to
Natasha's vocals on track 5.
The heart and soul of the band is the drums of
Alexander Arzamastsev, However he may have the most hidden talent of the band. Buy
the DVD or VHS of The Ballad of Bering Strait to check out his vocal talent.
And last but by no means least of the band is the newest member Segei "Spooky"
Olkhovsky. To see this young man play is to watch a person totally enjoying his job, you
cant help but to smile watching him just have fun.

In closing BUY THIS CD!!! And if you have a chance to see Bering Strait this or any
summer (spring, fall, winter even) Run, Dont Walk to get tickets, you wont be
disappointed

I am only an occasional listener of country music, preferring jazz as my daily musical staple. I saw the piece on 60 Minutes about the group and I was impressed at the obstacles they have overcome to achieve a break. Their music has a totally deep, vibrant quality. If I could find other groups with as much talent as these Russians I might become a country music buff. But this CD is superb without a bad song. Buy this CD and enjoy it. I can't wait to hear about their next effort. They are going places!

Over the years, I've enjoyed every aspect, genre and style of country music. I grew-up on rock n roll, got into country in my late 20's (20+ years ago). I rarely get enthusiastic about a singer or a band, but I will make an exception with this group. Each member could and likely will become a star in their own right. As a group, they are phenominal. I saw an hour-long TV show about them on CMT and ordered their CD within 10 minutes of it ending. I usually listen to a new CD all the way through, then move on to another, then when I go back to it, I'll skip a track here and there. This is the only CD in recent memory that I listen to all the way through, never skip anything, and have yet to take it from the player in 3 or 4 days. The instrumental work is great, and the harmony of the female lead vocalists is remeniscent of The Corrs (who are sisters...these Russian women aren't) but with a distinctive modern-era, contemporary (yeah, kind of pop-like) country flair. If you're looking to hear bluegrass and classic country (aka: Hank Sr, Patsy, Conway, Dolly, Barbara, Patty, or even Reba), it isn't here. It's a great listen. They have a beautiful sound. Lively and mostly upbeat. If this group was listed on the NYSE, I'd buy a ton of shares. They will be big, even if this is their only contribution to world, and that is not likely. They are bound for greatness. Be the first on your block to own this CD...unless I already live there, then I got you beat!

I bought this album based on being really impressed with the video I saw on CMT of the title track, "Bearing Straight". I'm used to being disappointed in 50-75% of the tracks on any given album no matter how much I may like the ones I bought it for. This is the only album I have EVER bought that I can say doesn't have a single track I don't like. A+ from start to finish. Great singing, intrumentals, harmony; everything. I'm 53 years old and listen to country (mostly), blues, jazz, bluegrass, "new age" (Enya, John Tesh), etc. I even have Santana's latest. Trick Pony
to Terri Clark, Suzy Boggus to Brooks and Dunn, Allison Kraus, Keiko Matsui.....I consistently come back to Bering Strait after listening to any of these and when I do I usually let it play all the way through at least twice before trying anything else again. Last weekend I saw that Natasha was one of the guest
"reviewers" on CMTs "100 greatest songs" chronical. I guess that means they are being taken seriously. Good. They deserve BIG success. Buy the album.

First of all I'm NOT a country music fan, so I can't claim any expertise in what is good and not good in country music. But having heard these young Russian kids recently on television, I was impressed enough to try their album "Bering Strait". Well, now that I've heard it, I'm even MORE impressed. I think that anyone to listens to this CD will quickly become a fan of theirs, and maybe country music as well. No matter what your favorite style of music, give this album a try -- you won't be disappointed. You also won't believe you're listening to native-born Russians -- their delivery is smooth, rhythmic, and perfectly (American) country. Even the one non-English track (Porushka-Paranya) has a lively, foot-tapping rhythm with a distinct country flavor. Fiddles, banjos, electric & acoustic guitars, and great voices -- everything you'd expect from a first-class country music group. I predict this group will do very well for itself.