Moscow Nights By The Chad Mitchell Trio
The Chad Mitchell Trio was a North American vocal group who became known mostly for folk songs during the 1960s. The original group was formed by Gonzaga University students William Chadbourne Mitchell , Mike Kobluk & Mike Pugh. Unlike many fellow folk music groups, none of the trio played instruments. They performed folk songs, some which were traditionally passed down and many of which were their own compositions. They were notable for performing satirical songs that criticized current events during the turmoil in the United States. Their songs about the civil rights movements and the Vietnam War were unlike the typical folk music of their time. They released the then-daring satire "The John Birch Society" in '62, and established their flair for controversial material. Johnny Cash cited their "Four Strong Winds" as a stylistic influence & included it on his Artist's Choice album of favorites. In 1965 John Denver joined The Chad Mitchell Trio, which had been renamed "The Mitchell Trio". This Trio did the first major recording of Denver's later hit "For Baby (For Bobbie)" and also handled his "Leaving on a Jet Plane". The Mitchell/Kobluk/Frazier trio and John Denver reunited in 1987 for several concerts, some broadcast on PBS. Recorded live, this selection appeared on their album "The Chad Mitchell Trio At The Bitter End" released in 1962.
As a postscript, this album was released at the height of the cold war with the Soviet Union, and The Chad Mitchell Trio received more than a little criticism for singing this selection with Russian lyrics.
After Soviet Premier Khrushchev made very disparaging remarks about Western jazz, Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen released an instrumental version of this in late 1961, entitled "Midnight In Moscow", which reached No. 2 on the Billboard chart in 1962.
Thankfully, both countries have now matured enough to come to their senses and simply enjoy this beautiful music together.