Art, on 20 July you asked about a band called Gutzgauch. Sitll interested?
Gutzgauch is an occasional band of German folk musicians, apparently created specially for the States. They went there about 1983, and again in spring 1998. They come from different bands. Theo Schmitz used to be in SCHMELZTIEGEL, by now probably the oldest German folk band (celebrating 25 years in 1999), but left them years ago when moving to southern Germany. Another member of Gutzgauch, Reinhard Spielvogel, is still with Schmelztiegel, and also with BRUMBORIUM, doing what you might call 'themed folk music' like pirate songs or medieval songs with appropriate instruments and clothing. Schmelztiegel happen to be based in Kiel, my home town, and I happen to know them because they are involved in all kinds of folk events around here. The other participants of that American tour were, I think, Christoph Peters and Reinhard Zielonka, who usually play in an outfit called "mit voller Spielmannswucht", who do a marvellous impression of medieval itinerant musicians ('Spielleute'), with songs and hilarious patter.

I've just phoned Reinhard S., by the way, but he had to go out and has promised to tell me more about Gutzgauch and its history tomorrow night. So - more about this later, if you want to hear. I don't think they've made any CDs, btw, but Schmelztiegel have - worth listening to.

BTW: What put an end to this interesting thread? - Susanne, from Kiel, Germany, on the waters of the Baltic Sea.