Written in Minnesota in 2005. J had just acquired a back-up balalaika from a dealer on Ebay and was terribly disappointed with its feel and tone. The previous owner had obviously just used it as a wall hanging. But J discovered it did have a voice eager to sing out. Though far from a great instrument, it can be heard giving its all on this recording (trying to prove it's more than just a wall hanging.)
Having proven itself on this song, it later found use in the hands of the Russian witch, Baba Yaga, for a stage play.
“Raklo” is the Rom (Gypsy) word for “non-Rom boy.”
credits
from Another Hunt,
released December 7, 2008
J Roth > guitar and balalaika
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