"Drevo", female ensemble from the Kryachkivka village. Bahatoholossja. (live). (Polyphony)

Maybe, each of visitors of "Gogol Fest 2008" in Kyiv who managed on that day to attend the concert by the female ensemble "Drevo" from Poltava region – remembered this performance for a long time. And not only because they sang beautifully. Or because they sang songs causing the desire to not only attentively listen to the melodies – for this is, let us not forget, polyphony – but also to the lyrics, often pensive and even severe, but for some reason not burdening. No, not only. The major impression was – from the singers themselves. The way they went out on the scene in bright light of projectors, how they got embarrassed in front of the large audience, how they smiled shyly – and how their singing, sounding of their own voices balanced them. One song, another one, and here it already seems that when performing they appear in some different dimension, fly up in sorrow and tranquility – and they elevate the audience as well. Here the song fades, and in an instant the audience applauds sincerely, without sparing their hands - and these applauses seem to abruptly bring the women back on the scene, under the projectors. Possibly, too abruptly – and again they squint at the light, smile awkwardly. But in another moment a new song starts – and a new splash, new release in tranquility... It was so simple, so honest that it could not but touch. And we hope that the recording of this concert represented here will manage to convey sincerity and simple beauty that filled that evening.