The group was created in Belarus (Byelorussia, the USSR) in 1967/68 as LIAVONY ("(The) Jesters") by the folk enthusiast Vladimir Muliavin (1941-2003), who became band's constant leader. In 1969 it was renamed to PESNIARY ("(The) Folk Tales Narrators/Singers").

The main specialization of the group was folk songs' adaptation on modern rock instruments (and also violins, flutes, sax, folk whistles, lyre) with heavy accent on vocal harmonies. Their musical approach (not the sound, though) was somehow congenial with that of STEELEYE SPAN". In the very beginning PESNIARY were inspired by THE BEATLES; they (then LIAVONY) even performed "Yesterday" and "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" with Russian lyrics. But in general, PESNIARY don't sound like any of the mentioned bands. They were certainly pioneers of such music in the Soviet Union. The demanding selection by Muliavin resulted in an unusual amalgam of multi-instrumentalists with incredible voices, a unique band in the USSR (and in the world too) at those times.


1. Spring 3:45
2. Kasiv Jas 3:15
3. Rushniki 2:56
4. Alexandrina 4:41
5. Vasil 3:47
6. Slutsk Weavers 5:00
7. I Was Forced To Marry 3:36
8. By A Mill Side 3:33
9. Ave Maria 3:40
10. Those Evening Bells 4:24
11. Deceive Me 3:28
12. A Long Road 4:26
13. Hands 3:26
14. Godmother 3:13
15. Byelorussia 5:01

Total time 58:18


- Vladimir Muliavin / band leader, vocals, guitar
- Igor Penia / vocals, keyboards
- Oleg Molchan / keyboards
- Alexander Katikov / bass, flute, vocals
- Oleg Kozlovich / vocals, keyboards
- Vladimir Marusich / drums, vocals
- Victor Molchanov / guitars, vocals

- Alexander Poprotsky / sound engineer

1 Vyasna
2 Kasi¢ YAs kanyushynu
3 Rushniki
4 Aleksandryna
5 Vasil
6 Slutskiya tkachyhi
7 Azhanili myane
8 Kalya mlyna
9 Ave Mariya
10 Vechernij zvon
11 Obmanite menya
12 Dorogoj dlinnoyu
13 Ruki
14 Kuma
15 Belorussiya