German Folk- and Blues-Singers

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Leadbelly
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 02:53 PM

Wolfgang-

my personal opinion is that it doesn't matter whether Tom or Georg was first or second. Both of them made the best of it.

Manfred

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Mr Happy
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 07:18 AM

i was at a folk wedding in Boltenhagen on the Baltic in former GDR last year.

Piles of folky guests - had a fab time!

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Wolfgang
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 07:13 AM

There are more parallels:

I hold your hand in mine       Ich hab' Deine Hand

Tom Lehrer is quoted saying "I must say thanks to Mister Georg Kreisler for making my songs known in Germany".

But it has to be said that the Taubenvergiften song is a complete rewrite with a different tune. Kreisler uses the idea to write a completely new song.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 09:06 PM

I love Georg Kreisler's songs. The lack of taste is intended, and no one does them like he himself.

He has always claimed to have written "Tauben vergiften im Park" before Tom Lehrer came up with "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park". However, a couple of years ago a German Kabarett expert emailed me with the info that he had heard from Gerhard Bronner, a former stage partner of Kreisler's, that Kreisler had admitted to him having pinched the Pigeons from Lehrer. Bronner has since died, Kreisler is still alive, and I haven't got the musical biography which came out last year, with a CD of his early songs (written in English), so I don't know whether it will be any help with the Pigeons question ...

Any questions, anyone?

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Leadbelly
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 12:40 PM

Ron -
"I always thought that the Viennese-- and Berlin-- sense of humor was sharper, more cynical than the gentler Sozialkritik of some others".
Complete this by a little bit of jewish homour then you will have Georg.

In 1938, he and his parents left occupated Austria because of the Nazis finding refuge in the USA.
In 1943 he became a US-citizen and went back to Vienna in 1955.

Here are some of his most popular german songs: "Tauben vergiften im Park" (mentioned before) „Als der Zirkus in Flammen stand", „Zwei alte Tanten tanzen Tango", „Der Musikkritiker", „Der General", „Kapitalistenlied", „Meine Freiheit, Deine Freiheit".

Maybe now you will remember one or more titles.

Manfred

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Ron Davies
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 10:48 PM

Alanabit--

Yes, I knew Georg Kreisler was Viennese. I always thought that the Viennese-- and Berlin-- sense of humor was sharper, more cynical than the gentler Sozialkritik of some others. It's not surprising that there's a connection between Kreisler and Tom Lehrer--though I had no idea that Kreisler had lived in the US.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Wolfgang
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 03:51 PM

Biermann is not only a singer/songwriter, together with Eva-Maria Hagen he has made a wonderful folk album "Nicht Liebe ohne Liebe".

The adjective "German" can designate a country (that's the way this word has been understood in this thread), but it can also designate a language. The German language is majority language in 4 countries (5?) and minority language in (to name just a few) Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania.

With this broader meaning I'd like to add the Swiss singer/songwriter Manni Matter and the French folk musician Roger Siffer and his group.

All my other favourites have been mentioned already

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 03:21 PM

Roy, it seems every folkie who has ever been to Germany (well, not so much in recent years) has stroies to tell about Willy Schwenken. I met him a couple of times (I'm just a punter, not an artiste), and he seemed rather strange to me. For instance, he must have been the only person on the German folk scene who addressed you as "Sie", not "Du". But his shop in Nottuln contained the most amazing treasures. I own an album by Wally Whyton which I bought there.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Leadbelly
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 10:22 AM

Burl - That's Cornelia Froboess. Shes's still alive and after a career as singer (e.g. together with german "rocker" Peter Krauss) she became an actor.
He first successful recording was "Pack die Badehose ein, nimm Dein kleines Schwesterlein und dann geht's hinaus zum Wannsee.."
The song you mentioned could be "Nimm uns mit Kapitän auf die Reise, nimm uns mit auf die weite, weite Welt...". Originally this is a sailors song sung by Hamburg's Richard Germer and others. He is a very early folk-like singer from the 50'. He used to play a lute. Other famous songs performed by Richard are "So was Dummes", "Rum aus Jamaika" and "Geh'n wir mal zu Hagenbeck".

Manfred

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 08:17 AM

When I was first in Germany circa 1951-3 there was a little girl pop singer who was a showbiz sensation.They called her Die Kleine Cornelia. There was a song around at that time , 'Nimm Uns Mit Kapitain ...... I forget the rest,that may have been one of hers. I wonder whatever happened to her.

Hi Susanne, why is Willi Schwenken a subject for a thread?

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Leadbelly
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 07:01 AM

When I looked for some information about american Don Paulin who lives in Germany in the mid-60' I found a very interesting site which shows that some british and american artists did make recordings of german and international folk songs in german language. Did you ever know that Dusty performed songs in german language?

01. DON PAULIN: Die Moorsoldaten
02. PETER YARROW: Das ist die Freiheit, die ich meine (Don't Take Away My Freedom)
03. SPRINGFIELDS (feat. DUSTY SPRINGFIELD): Sag mir, wo die Blumen sind (Where Have All The Flowers Gone)
04. PETER, PAUL & MARY: Die Antwort weiß ganz allein der Wind (Blowin' In The Wind)
05. CARAVELLES: Georgia Boy
06. DON HILL: Du bist mein Glück und Sonnenschein (If That's The Way It's Gonna Be)
07. SHAWN ELLIOTT: Matilda
08. JULIE FELIX: Sie hieß Lisa (I'm Not Lisa)
09. SPRINGFIELDS: Alles Gold und alles Silber
10. DON PAULIN: Alice's Restaurant, Parts 1 & 2
11. CARAVELLES: Darauf fall ich nicht rein
12. NEW CHRISTY MINSTRELS: Grün, grün ist Tennessee (Green, Green)
13. CASTLEGATE TRIO: Fährmann, hol über
14. DON HILL: Der Wind, der leis ein Lied singt (Reminds Me You're Gone)
15. PETER, PAUL & MARY: Puff (Puff, The Magic Dragon)
16. PETER YARROW: Nur ein Leben zu Leben (River Of Jordan)
17. SPRINGFIELDS: Das kostet keinen Pfennig (Settle Down)
18. CARAVELLES: Liebe kommt und geht (Depend On You)
19. SHAWN ELLIOTT: Denk daran (Little Bird)
20. SPRINGFIELDS: Ich geh ohne Ruh durch die Straßen und Gassen (Island Of Dreams)
21. CARAVELLES: Keine Rose blüht fürs Leben
22. BLUE HILL BOYS: Weit war der Weg nach Montana
23. PETER, PAUL & MARY: Pretty Mary
24. TONI FISHER: Dort in Berlin (West Of The Wall)
25. PETER YARROW: Auf ein besseres Leben (Weave Me The Sunshine)

Source: Bear Family Records

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: redsnapper
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 04:39 AM

Tom Thiesen (aka Big Tom) formerly of Hamburg and now living in Aachen is an excellent blues singer and fine guitarist.

RS

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Leadbelly
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 04:12 AM

Although not my cup of tea, Wolf Biermann should be mentioned. He was given (or will be given) the freedom of the city of Berlin.

Manfred

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: alanabit
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 03:38 AM

Heino, to my surprise, actually hails from Düsseldorf, as it happens. That is probably one more reason for the Kölner to feel slightly superior to their neighbours to the North. Heino has now mercifully retired. I had always regarded him as the arch conservative, but it turns out that the image was misleading. He is actually quite a liberal hearted bloke and if we forgive him for his music, there is not really much to dislike about the man.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: alanabit
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 02:50 AM

I think Georg Kreissler was Austrian Ron, from Wien. I also think there was some connection between him and Tom Lehrer. He certainly did the German version of "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park". He lived in New York for many years and wrote many hilarious songs in English too. He had quite magnificent bad taste in English and German. His English song about a homicidal psychopath is unforgettable and he also wrote a song in appalling taste about two old people dancing a tango in an old people's home. I have probably left it too late to catch one of his gigs, but I wish I hadn't.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Ron Davies
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 10:42 PM

Ulrich Roski--I mentioned him earlier--one of my favorites, as I mentioned, is Des Pudels Kern--about going for a mushroom-gathering walk with his dog--in a military maneuvers area. Apprehended by the military and grilled for names of spies, he gives them all sorts of names of mushrooms.

And George Kreisler--but I can't recall any specific songs.

I also recall Heino--and the Heimatslieder-- of the 70's--not that his music would be one folkies would likely want to advocate. But it sure was catchy.

And Vicki Leandros--not German, but she sang in German--I liked "Theo, wir fahren nach Lodz". Again, not folk, but more pop.

And didn't Mireille Matthieu (sp) also sing auf Deutsch? (as well as French, of course)

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Leadbelly
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 03:41 PM

Here are some other german folkies resp. Liedermacher not mentioned before. Any awarenesses, memories, knowledges?

-Klaus Hoffmann from Berlin

-Georg Kreisler (fantastic oldie from Austria)

-Ulrich Roski from Berlin

-Hans Söllner from southern Germany

-Konstantin Wecker from southern Germany,too. Piano player and singer

Manfred

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Gulliver
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 02:22 PM

Susanne, glad the show went down well. I'll email her shortly--long overdue. I'd been planning to go over to her place since before Christmas but legal matters to do with my house have kept me here (Dublin). Might make it after Paddy's Day.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 01:28 PM

Ron, you're right, it was before he became Bundespraesident. Anyway, he is 87 now and his active life in politics is not quite recent any more. Going by what I'm able to remember about foreign politicians I wouldn't rely on people remembering who he was. Even young Germans might not.

Willy Schwenken - now there's a topic for a new thread ...

Gulliver - Herzen in Terzen went down a storm in Kiel on Friday. Leslie would like to know who you are. Shall I eMail her, or will you?

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Ron Davies
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 10:26 PM

Hi Suzanne et al.,

I know I omitted to note that Walter Scheel was a prominent politician--I thought he was Aussenminister-- at the time he recorded "Hoch auf dem gelben Wagen". That's why I did say that it was "quite an event" and that a parody of it also came out.

I'll tell you I was impressed with him.

I assumed that posters on this thread would recognize the name--and the event. It's a delicate balance between belaboring an event well known to all and leaving out crucial information 'Catters would be interested in.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 03:58 PM

very good!

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Leadbelly
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 03:56 PM

Burl - I think Willy Schwenken is still active. He owns a record company/studio (Autogram) in Nottulm/ Germany.

Gulliver - Saitenwind are situated in Schneverdingen/ Northern Germany.
Don't know about Gegenwind.

Manfred

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Leadbelly
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 03:34 PM

weelittledrummer -- obviously you don't know Inga ( Rumpf, not Rump). Please have a deeper look..

INGA RUMPF Biography
Inga Rumpf was born August 2, 1946, the daughter of a German seaman and an East Prussian seamstress in Hamburg. As a four-year-old, she warbled out her first song at the kitchen table, "Das ist die Liebe der Matrosen" by a famous German actor/singer Hans Albers, who lived a few doors away from her home. A cigar box strung with rubber bands served as Inga's primary musical instrument for some years. At age 12, she found a guitar from her parents under the family Christmas tree. Soon Inga found herself listening to Elvis Presley, long before it was considered cool. She also played music with her friends and performed in a St. Pauli youth home blues group.
When Inga Rumpf was 19 years old, she joined the band "The City Preachers." This group of musical pioneers gained wide-ranging popularity with progressive fans featuring a colorful program ranging from traditional Balkan folk songs to blues to flamenco, as well as Greek, Italian and Israeli tunes. "The City Preachers" frequently performed before sold-out crowds, singing in 18 languages, playing numerous instruments. The group's sophisticated version of traditional world-music was recorded for the first time on an LP in 1966 under the title, "'Folklore." The album achieved considerable international success.
As the group increasingly pushed Inga into the spotlight, music critics alternately used terms such as "smoky," "demonic" and "roaring" to define her distinctive timbre. Riding the protest wave fueled by Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs, "The City Preachers" sang German anti-war songs on their LP "Warum", ("Why" in English), in 1966. Inga Rumpf transitioned into solo work and took part in the finals of the German singers' competition.

By 1966, Inga decided to move in a new musical direction with a new rock band, "Frumpy." The quartet's music reflected strong influences from such innovative contemporary blues greats as Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones. Within a few years, the respected publication "musikexpress" named Frumpy the Best German Rock group while heralding Inga Rumpf as "the greatest individual talent on the German Rock scene" ("Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung").
With the birth in the early 1970s of "Atlantis," Inga's newest group, fans and critics responded enthusiastically. Music Express readers voted Inga Rumpf the Best Female Rock Singer of the Year. During this period, about 300,000 American fans welcomed Atlantis in 22 cities as the supporting band for Aerosmith and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Atlantis traveled through the States, along with the group known as Kraftwerk.
Inga eventually outgrew Atlantis, but continued to expand her musical vision on variety of trips through the USSR, France and England. She also gained inspiration on expeditions with the German boogie institution Vince Weber to New Orleans and Memphis. Following the path of blues, Inga Rumpf gathered new impressions which she creatively transformed in 1978 with her brilliant comeback, "'My Life is a Boogie." She offered pure and passionate rhythm and blues. The following year, Inga's album, "I Know Who I Am," achieved new heights. Inga convincingly adapted hits by the Police ("Roxanne"), Tom Petty ("Breakdown") and even the Clovers ("Love Potion No. 9"'). Described as "her best album yet" by "musikexpress", The CD is sold in the American market under the title 'Inga'.

As a soloist, Inga recorded "Open Your Door"' in 1994, followed by the albums "It's a Man's World" and "The Spirit Of Jimi Hendrix." Jazz, soul, blues or rock, Inga has never allowed herself to be pressed into a mold at any stage of her expansive career. "Artistic freedom" is the sole agenda when she explains, "As long as it is good music." This is probably the only consistent description in connection with Inga Rumpf activities that you can always count on.
Inga Rumpf reached new heights in the year 2000 with the song "Walking In The Light", (BMG, Ariola). DER SPIEGEL, Europe's number-one news magazine, wrote, "She sings with the Lord."
Germany's leading television station, RTL, tagged along for Inga's tour through Europe with her big band and gospel choir. RTL-TV recorded and broadcast Inga's concert from Luxemburger Dom Cathedral. It marked the first concert ever broadcast by the station. Another jewel in the crown of her career were Inga's performances (with more than 20 showcases) among other artists, including Bon Jovi and The Scorpions, at the world exhibition, "EXPO 2000."
Most recently, Inga Rumpf fulfilled a long held desire. She completed her latest live recording, "Easy (in my soul)" on CD, {25th HOUR Music / Indigo} in October 2005. Joining her in the studio was her musical twin, Jean Jacques Kravetz, from her Frumpy band period. Fans and critics alike have hailed the performance with accolades like "fantastic songs," "goose pimples" and "feeling pure."

That's it, my dear friend.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Gulliver
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 02:11 PM

Saitenwind sounds familiar but can't place them--where were they from?

There was a political-type group in Hannover called Gegenwind. I bought my banjo from one of them, Andy. It's still going strong...

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 12:16 PM

During the 70's I sang at clubs and a festival promoted by Willi Schwenken. He also had a record shop. Is he still active? Burl

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 12:02 PM

Terrific name - Inga Rumpf!

Where d'you want the injection...?

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Leadbelly
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 05:14 PM

Here are some other examples of folkies or corresponding groups. I'm curious about whether non-german Mudcatters do remember somebody although most of them started in the 60' and others reached regional fame only...

City Preachers - a Hamburg group founded by John O'Brian Docker which amongst others, included Inga Rumpf (semi-commercial on first record)

Les Humphreys Singers - a more commercial approach

Ingo Insterburg - comedian-like group from Berlin which included Karl Dall

Stephan Sulke

Mike Krüger - "(Mein Gott), Walther"

Frank Baier - "Lied vom Bauern Maas"

Manfred Jaspers - "Der blinde Michel oder Die Reise nach Dortmund"

Saitenwind

Bruno und Klaus - "Kalkar-Lied"

Kladderadatsch

Kraut un Riewe

Dood un Deiwel

Andre Lamberz

That's for today,

Manfred

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: eddie1
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 05:41 AM

It seemed to me that the best known recording of Leonard Cohen's "Susanne" in German/Germany was by Hermann von Ween. He is mentioned earlier in this thread and although Dutch and not a folksinger, is an incredible performer.
Bettina Wegner had a passing reference above. "Kinder" is an incredible song but I was really moved by a song which involved the reciting of the names of the various concentration camps.
Hannes Wader's anthologies "Folk Friends" and "Folk Friends 2" are treasure houses of material in German and English. As well as his own songs, he brought a lot of brilliant British and American performers together for the recordings which apparently took place over two weeks at a windmill he owned. One track which stands out for me was "Lonely One" written and performed by Finbar Furey. I don't think anyone who travels and does gigs could fail to relate to it. I've never heard it sung by anyone else which is a pity as it's a very powerful song.
The albums are probably long out of print but if you come across a copy – grab it!

Eddie

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: open mike
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 04:06 PM

i do not know who this is
he is probably not related to me
not sure how i got on his
e-mail list, but he seems to
be German. there is a you tube link
for him--i will try to add it.


Hi Folks,

Just a quick reminder about the upcoming concerts next week:

Wednesday 7 March, with Band, Sinkkasten,
Frankfurt, Brönnerstrasse 5-9
€10/12,-
http://www.sinkkasten-frankfurt.de


Saturday 10 March, The Racing House, Kartbahn
Schaafheim Eichenweg 80
64850 Schaafheim 21:30 Uhr €5,-
www.the-racing-house.de

Hope to see you there,

Chris
Chris Paulson"

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 02:50 PM

Glad to help, Roy, but Manfred came up with the name first. He just put one letter too many into 'Michael'.

I don't think Elster Silberflug are still performing, though I may be wrong. But I heard Ougenweide, who were the foremost band for doing mediaeval stuff and set a trend, have re-formed.

Joy Fleming's name reminded me of Joana, another one of the Waldeck crop of singers and, like Reinhard Mey, probably more influenced by the French chanson tradition than by the Anglo-American s-s tradition. There are more women - Ina Deter who's just turned sixty, Jule Neigel - or Julia, as she now calls herself - but I'm not too good on women, preferring male voices. Of groups I'd mention the Biermoesl Blosn and the Wellkueren, three brothers and three sisters from the Well family from Bavaria. Also, Bairisch-Diatonischer Jodelwahnsinn (anyone like to translate, please?). All three groups sing satirical, sometimes highly political lyrics in traditional musical garb. Fabulous!

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 01:51 PM

Susanne, I'd been racking my brains to remember the name of a band I was impressed by when I was travelling around Germany in the '70's and you came up with it - Fiedel Michel, yes indeed, many thanks. I also remember Elster Silberflug, are they still playing? Burl.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 12:14 PM

And there was Joy Fleming, a wonderful German blues singer with a mighty voice. Wasn't the Mannheim Bridge sung by her? [geh' net iwwer die Brick = don't cross the bridge]

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Leadbelly
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 06:29 AM

Wilfried - This song topped the german charts in 1974 as you may know. And here it comes for those interested in the lyrics:

Hoch auf dem gelben Wagen
sitz ich beim Schwager vorn.
Vorwärts die Rosse traben,
lustig schmettert das Horn.
Felder, Wiesen und Auen,
leuchtendes Ährengold!
Ich möcht ja so gerne noch schauen,
aber der Wagen, der rollt.
Ich möcht ja so gerne noch schauen,
aber der Wagen, der rollt.

Postillon in der Schenke
füttert dir Rosse im Flug.
Schäumendes Gerstengetränke
reicht der Wirt mir im Krug.
Hinter den Fensterscheiben
lacht ein Gesicht so hold!
Ich möchte so gerne noch bleiben,
aber der Wagen, der rollt.

Flöten hör ich und Geigen,
lustiges Baßgebrumm.
Junges Volk im Reigen
tanzt um die Linde herum,
wirbelt wie Blätter im Winde,
jauchzt und lacht und trollt!
Ich bliebe so gerne bei der Linde,
aber der Wagen, der rollt.

Sitzt einmal ein Gerippe
dort bei dem Schwager vorn,
schwingt statt der Peitsche die Hippe,
Stundenglas statt dem Horn,
sag ich: Ade nun, ihr Lieben,
die ihr nicht mitfahren wollt!
Ich wäre so gerne geblieben,
aber der Wagen, der rollt.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Leadbelly
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 05:52 AM

Susanne - Well, it seems that this song (Suzanne) wasn't his biggest success in Germany because obviously he did it in french where he lived for some time. Although it's in german please have a look upon the following site copy:

"Der Songtext "Reinhard Mey - Suzanne" ist aus rechtlichen Gründen nur für registrierte Benutzer sichtbar.
Das Anmelden kostet nichts, Du gehst keine Verpflichtungen (kein ABO!) ein und dauert 1 Minute und Du hast ausser auf den Songtext "Reinhard Mey - Suzanne" noch Zugriff auf über 424.789 weitere Songtexte."

But without a doubt I made a mistake ("Mey's most successful song...")

One should add that you are complete right: it all started at Burg Waldeck.

Manfred

Manfred

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 05:40 AM

Walter Scheel did the 45 disc to support and encourage the choral societies in Germany. It was a smashing hit, and a lot of people joined.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Gulliver
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 09:48 PM

Say hello to Les and the gang (my real name Don). Hope you enjoyed the show

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 04:01 PM

Gulliver, Herzen in Terzen will be appearing in Kiel tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to that.

Ron Davies, you omitted to say that Walter Scheel is not another German folksinger but used to be Germany's Bundespräsident (head of state) back in the last century. Was the recording made for charity? I can't remember, but his wife was head of a cancer charity, so maybe it had to do with that.

Leadbelly - Fiedel Michel, long departed (though there was a reunion in Rudolstadt some years back, I believe)
Also, I could name quite a few extremely well-known songs by Reinhard Mey (Über den Wolken, Gute Nacht Freunde, Der Mörder ist immer der Gärtner and others) - a version of Cohen's Suzanne is not among them.

Next Whitsun there will be a songfest at Burg Waldeck, where it all started forty years ago.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 02:43 PM

I am afraid I don't know Romie Singh. I used to get out quite a bit up until the mid nineties. Now, however, I have two young children, so I do not know the scene as well as I used to!

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Gulliver
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 02:21 PM

Alanabit, yes, Stoppok is the guy. I spoke to him after the gig, and then about a year later met his keyboards man in the Raschplatz Pavillion
in Hannover. When I stayed last year with my friend Leslie (of Herzen in Terzen), I saw that she had five or six of his CDs.

Did you ever come across a friend of mine in Koeln, Romie Singh?
She made an album there before going out to South Africa, where she is still living.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 11:12 AM

One of my favorite performers is Daniel Kahn. Actually Dan is from Detroit but has been living in Germany for the past two and a half years and currently has a band playing throughout Europe called "The Painted Bird".   They put on a great performance. His songs are in both English and German.

Wonder if any of you have heard of him or his band?
Check out myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/thepaintedbird

If you want a good laugh listen to his song:
"Edward the Young".

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 08:01 AM

A good folk band singing an playing are Patapan, formerly named Nordbadische Gaukler-Gang.
I had the honour and pleasure to drum for them at the 150th anniversary of the German revolution in 1999, and to supply them with some rare folksongs to a certain theme.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 07:10 AM

WLD: Jan Dicks, formerly of BAP, is a bloody good drummer. I met him at the DB studio in Nippes about fifteen years ago, when I was recording some stuff with Manes Werr. He used to produce BAP.
I have heard some of Niedecken's acoustic stuff, including some translations of Dylan songs into Kölsch. I regret to report that this was not an artistic or commercial success. BAP still roll on, albeit with only Niedecken remaining from the original line up. Their old keyboard player was at one of my gigs with the band a couple of weeks back.
I don't know when I can make it back to the UK. I intend to come over with the band in autumn. We will probably play pubs. I just can't afford to travel around UK folk clubs playing floor spots. You need to be richer than I am to do that!

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Leadbelly
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 05:15 AM

Weelittledrummer - Wolfgang Niedecken

Ron - Fully aggree to what you wrote about Hannes Wader. And he is still going strong. Is on tour at the moment (Munich aso).

Mey's most successful song was L. Cohen's "Sus/zanne" I believe.

Sorry to say, but Wolfgang "Schobert" Schulz and Lothar "Black" Lechleiter are almost forgotten today. Schobert died in 1992. They made some great LP's in the 70'.

I don't know about the version of " Der Jazz kommt aus Hamburg" by Udo Jürgens but I do own this track performed by great Gottfried Böttger on blues piano. He is still part of a german talk-show doing the intro on piano aso. Although no folk-singer he was and still is one of the finest blues, boogie woogie and ragtime player of Germany. If you could have listen to his version of "Maple leaf rag" in "Onkel Pö" like I did in the late 60'…. Unforgettable.

Manfred

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 02:47 AM

Wolf produced Rummenigge of course and the drummer from BAP was on there too! My claim to obscurity!

I'm glad he kept gigging. I saw Wolf on the Berlin show when Geldof did that thing in 1985. He sent me his Direkt Ins Blut album as well, what was he like acoustic?

I used to like that lead singer (Wolf Niedecke..?) in BAP.



Hope all is well wth you Al, coming to England soon?

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 01:43 AM

Gulliver: You are thinking of Stoppok, who comes from somewhere in the Ruhrgebiet. I have enjoyed his stuff a lot too.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Ron Davies
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 11:18 PM

I thought (and still think) that Hannes Wader is probably the best of the German Liedermacher. Certainly Reinhard Mey has also done some great songs--one of my favorites is "Ich bin Klempner vom Beruf"

And Schobert and Black were klasse--" Freddy the Gun" and "Beutelgesang"   are 2 of my favorites--and there's one about the psychological disturbances of each of the singer's co-workers--that's great too. Sind die noch beliebt?

I also remember 2 other classics--Udo Juergens' "Der Jazz kommt aus Hamburg (und hier bleibt er)" and Ulrich Roski's "Des Pudels Kern". I'm pretty sure I have a 45 of Walter Scheel doing "Hoch auf dem gelben Wagen"--that was quite an event. And I have a spoof of that record, I believe. As I've said before, the idea that Germans have no sense of humor is a total canard.

I'm definitely out of touch as to current Liedermacher--but I still like to listen sometimes to my old tapes from the 70's--the vast majority recorded off the radio---I was lucky enough to have a cassette recorder when I was in West Germany then--and I have a few Schallplatten--if I can get my turntable repaired.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Gulliver
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 06:59 PM

Ferdie's Pizza Pinta--Dieter took it over after he split with his wife Edel in Hannover. I knew them well--Dieter would always let me know if Hamish was in the neighbourhood.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: bubblyrat
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 06:36 PM

Gulliver----I think that the bar was called Ferdies Bar, or something like that, & yes ,there was a man called Dieter hanging around at the time, but I don"t know if it was Von Haase or not.

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Gulliver
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 06:33 PM

No, Alanabit, the singer I'm thinking of is called something like Stoppack...

Subject: RE: German Folk- and Blues-Singers
From: Leadbelly
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 06:25 PM

alanabit - Because of dialects not all people in Northern German are able to fully understand songs by e.g. Fredl Fesl from Bavaria and -vice versa- Hannes Wader occasionally singing low german songs is absolutely not understood in Southern Germany. And neither southern nor northern people are able to totally understand cologne dialect.

I believe that's a limitation of becoming popular all over Germany.
Nevertheless, standard resp. high german is perferred language of most folk singers.

Manfred