Eduard Drach. Pro slavu i bahatstvo. (On Fame and Wealth)

Eduard Drach issued his previous album, if we are not mistaken, almost 10 years ago – in 2002. Well, during this time not that many things have changed in the world – at least, if we consider the essence, not external events. So, for a person prone to thinking, material for reflecting on is provided on the daily basis – without failure... Well, as the first recognition was brought to Drach as long ago as in 1989 by the ability to reflect, notice details and draw generalized conclusions embodied in his songs – it is no surprise that over this time quite a lot of new songs have been accumulated (only in this disc – there are more than 20 of them). And here I would have mentioned that Drach is a multi-instrumental performer: he plays the kobza, lyre, bandura, gusli, guitar, piano, violin, mandolin, banjo, etc. But – no. As well as in the previous album, he makes an attempt here – a skilled attempt – to continue and develop the kobza-lyre tradition. Thus, the main instrument in the album is the kobza... Accordingly, the songs' lyrics in their form tend not so much to the bard tradition, but to the kobza one. However, considering their essence, these two traditions can be referred to as sisters. For the case is a certain philosophical and meditative, but also very emotional, way of outlook, isn't it?
Whatever it might be, in the new album by Eduard Drach one can hear not only purely Ukrainian instruments – but also poignant words about everything that happens around us. And, unfortunately, it does not seem that relevance of these observations will soon become obsolete...