The name Boney M may not be familiar to Popwellians who don’t hail from the Continent, but that’s about to change! We’re talking a major purveyor of late-70’s German Disco. Frommage sliced so thick, it will leave your ears and eyes hungry for more. Our track this week is “Rasputin,” an homage to the infamous early 20th century Russian miscreant, guru, faith healer and ladies man.
In this classic video clip you meet Boney, a small-statured German/Jamaican singer who doesn’t actually sing. More like a special kind of Germanic Barry White-inflected spoken word. He is flanked on stage by long-legged Nubian goddesses singing soaring responses to Boney’s sexy(ish?) calls. When not offering his uniquely non-melodic vocal style—during the song’s uplifting chorus for example—Boney shows the world his, erm. . .unique, sometimes dangerous dance moves; he has a bag and a half full! All this to a pre-recorded track! Better than karaoke. All together now: There lived a certain man in Russia long ago… Needless to say Boney M was a star at a time when disco refused to die—in Europe at least.
So get down to this Bee Gees-esque thumper of a track and learn about Rasputin, one of history’s most dastardly alchemist/pimps. Even though he looked and smelled rather crusty, complete with long stringy hair and beard, he was a mac daddy amongst the elite Russian ladies of the Czar’s court, including the Czar’s old lady herself, Alexandra. He was said to possess hypnotic, magical healing and sexual powers—even though he resembled a troll. Needless to say, some of these women’s husbands weren’t exactly pleased and eventually decided to kill him. He was such a badass they had to kill him 3 times! You’ll learn about Rasputin’s death and more in this original piece of edutainment, courtesy of the man they call Boney!
Next we travel south. . .to Italy—the land of sunshine, espresso and bad haircuts. Disco not only didn’t die here, it’s still rearing its hairsprayed head. Our second Euro Frommage YouTube star this week wants you to learn disco dancing like America’s favorite 70’s hip-shaker and Scientologist John Travolta! And you get to cop your moves from a real, smooth-talking Italiano, not some stereotypical 70’s Brooklyn Guinea. He talks inna English and counts inna Italian! Learn hot Saturday Night Fever moves like the Funky Lasso, first slowly, then sped up to a frenetic 4/4 pace. Plus, he seems to be floating in space! Enjoy!
Freaky styley!
Uplift Mofo!