Red Army Choir: Sweet Home Alabama

I really do intend to give my Russian reports a break. There was some great news from Germany this weekend and I also want to do more leadership development stuff, too. But I just could resist this.

To The Point News reports on something that would've made Khrushchev take the both shoes off and bang along with the Red Army Choir to the "Sweet Home Alabama." Prepare yourself for this one - maybe with a alcohol-free martini or two.

Back in the days of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Red Army had an official choir composed of male soldiers and musicians. It still exists. The Red Army Choir performs throughout Russia to this day. Now consider the Finnish rock band called The Leningrad Cowboys. A little while ago, they held a concert in Russia, in which - to the screaming applause of Russkie teen-agers - they got the Red Army Choir to join them on stage for a performance of "Sweet Home Alabama." In English. You couldn't make this up.

We're talking seriously off the wall here. Better have that unleaded martini ready when you watch it: