Golubye Berety – Grustit Nastolny Kalendar | Afghan & VDV Songs Music CD

Origin: mixed.
Era: 1997.
Genre: Afghan war songs / VDV military songs

Golubye Berety means Blue Berets. The group began in 1985 in Kabul, among serving men of the Soviet 350th Guards Airborne Regiment. Their recordings passed around on cassettes, and they became a cult name among VDV men and Afghan war veterans.

The origin story is very Soviet: the musical equipment belonged to an artillery unit. The men agreed that whoever could prepare a concert within a week would get it. The airborne group won.

This 1997 album brings together songs about service, friendship, loss and returning home. Grustit Nastolny Kalendar roughly means “The Desk Calendar Is Sad.”

• Golubye Berety — Голубые береты: the band’s namesake song.

• Ordena Ne Prodayutsya — Ордена не продаются: “Medals Aren’t for Sale.” One of their best-known songs.

• U Trapa Samolyota — У трапа самолета: “At the Aircraft Steps.” A classic from their Afghan repertoire.

• Gruz 200 — Груз 200: one of the heavier songs on this album.

Q&A:

Were the musicians actually soldiers?
Yes. The group started with serving Soviet paratroopers.

Does it include a parachute?
CD only. Your knees can relax.

Is it all cheerful army singing?
Some songs are much heavier than that. Keep a few tissues near the telnyashka, yes I cried listening it again.
AINT NO SHAME!