Geyers Press Comments
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Issue 30
02/2005
www.folkworld.de
Geyers "Lästerzungen"
Label: Own; 2004
The German band Geyers plays, according to themselves historock. A
mixture of rock and traditional music from several kinds. A remarkable
group who have been chosen musicians of the year in 1999, their name
at that time was Geyers schwarzer haufen which they changed in 2000
into Geyers. The band combines electric guitars and drums with ancient
instruments such as hurdy gurdy, bagpipe, flutes, crumhorn and many
others. The band puts a lot of time and care in the sound of their
music which is of a high quality. Also the compositions are mostly
strong and really catchy. One of the highlights for me personally
is their interpretation of several Gavotten by the composer Praetorius.
A really strong composition which starts in a light, happy folkrock
style with merry flutes and a pretty violin. But halfway bursts into
a heavy electric guitar solo which leads to a medieval hardrock final
with crumhorn and all. On the cd they also recorded several songs.
The low vocals remind me sometimes of the throat singing from Tuva
like in the start of Herori matori. I find that the songs can be divided
into two categories. Songs like the earlier mentioned Herori matori
but also Lasterzungen are nice and easy to listen to rock songs with
traditional influences. I prefer songs like God's gospel or Karmeliter
where the group really creates a full sound and reaches a great symbioses
between modern and ancient music. Here the group also shows their
quality in harmony singing. Which is of a simple structure but very
effective. For me Geyers is one of the best bands in this field of
music in Europe. At some moments they drive me nuts with great tunes
like the earlier mentioned Gavotten. But each of the songs and tunes
is above average and shows a group that grows better and better each
new cd I hear by them.
Homepage of the artist: www.geyers.info
Eelco Schilder
More Black than Purble
The Ultimate Ritchie Blackmore Magazine
Issue 27 January 2005
GEYERS – Lasterzungen (Historock)
Geyers Records 2004 CD-Nr.012004
Although the band have recorded a number of rock songs this is their
first full album of electric songs and an interesting selection of
tunes it is too. Made up of a number of familiar classics with new
arrangements, some new songs and the usual generous portion of Geyers
wit, good feeling.
Renaissance music ‘ZZ Top’ style kicks the album off and
the foot is certainly down to the board for some straight ahead boogie
mixed with the distinctive dudelsack which almost pedantically interjects
with what is actually a Susato tune about 30 times faster than it
was intended to be played! Georg’s guitar break reminds me very
much of a certain 6 string genius on ‘Ramshackle Man’.
‘God’s Gospel’ aka ‘Gortliche Device’
or ‘Fires at Midnight’ is a different arrangement from
the ‘Live ‘99’ CD and features a very quiet beginning
with haunting pipes playing the serene melody. However it is not long
before these are quickly ousted by the more familiar electric guitars
(including some fine rhythmic work from Ritchie Blackmore which gives
the sing renewed momentum and vigour) and Thomas’s English vocal.
Blackmore fans get a real treat with both rhythm and lead guitar with
the searing solo, surely one of Ritchie’s finest pieces of electric
work of recent years. With Ritchie guesting on this track it is fitting
that the song remembers the late Rainer Duda.
‘Karlmeliter’ sees the band in monastic mood It is a personal
favourite and features a really solid groove whilst retaining the
retro sound with some fine building rhythm 6 string from Georg. From
humble beginnings the haunting track builds and builds with both electric
guitar and dudelsack lead breaks which bring to a close this memorable
track.
The albums ‘piece de resistance’,is a cracking version
of familiar ditty ‘What shall we do with the Drunken Sailor’
or in this case ‘Minstrel’. Excellent arrangement, entertaining
lyrics (almost autobiographical!), which the band takes, turns singing.
Highlight has to be Albert’s basement lead vocal when he croons
‘Throw them all in a Whiskey Barrel’ Similarly the band
take turns to solo with some excellent work from all concerned with
the tuneful pipes providing a pleasing contrast to the frenetic nature
of the song. Inspired the way Jost’s excellent percussion allows
proceedings to slow before the band is allowed one last rollicking
finale.
‘All Voll’, another rocky version of a familiar track,
which like ‘Was Wollen Wir Trinken’, is equally impressive
electric or acoustic. This song really lends itself to the drums and
bass with its slow galloping riff. This version is notable for some
Albert & Georg duelling not dissimilar to Ritchie and Jon Lord
on ‘Speed King’.
To sum up a very strong album, featuring some great musicianship and
excellent arrangements. The ‘Historock’ makes a change
and on some songs gives the band greater purpose but my own preference
is the acoustic sound with great harmonies and those strange instruments,
which provide the unmistakeable trademark of this fantastic band.
If I could be greedy I would like a set made up of half acoustic and
electric but logistically this would be challenging to say the least
and would mean that Albert might have to leave some of his bier supply’s
in Ludwigsberg, and that ain’t gonna happen!
Richard Gillitt
Gothic Family
http://www.gothic-family.net
CD Tipps 04 2005
Geyers “Und dein roter
Mund”
It’s rather fun presenting an increasing
amount of medieval music on these pages. You get to know a variety
of sounds you have never really paid enough attention to before.
The band represents traditional acoustic medieval music, but adds
elemnts of rock and jazz. The 12 tracks are interpretations of music
of the renaissance and medieval periods, on a quite high level, proving
the band consists of trained musicians/singers, presenting high-quality
music of past centuries. This may sound like very serious and sophisticated
music, but there are also elements of irony and cheek(“Im Maien”).
Rich in content, varied, music you should pay attention to.
Das Eulental
Music and medieval magazine
04/2005
www.eulenthal.net
Geyers – Und dein roter
Mund
...The Geyers keep singing –fully
to their hearts’ content- about one of the most beautiful things
on this planet: Love. And what could be more suitable in this season
than some odes to this state of mind. It was back in 2003 that the
Geyers inspired their audience with their sixth album “Und dein
roter Mund”.....Using a selection of traditional instruments
and lyrics the musicians from southern Germany tell us stories about
melancholy and wistfulness, as in “Abschied”, or about
the joys of love, highlighted in the song “Im Maien”.
The variety of romantic minnesong, joyful declarations of love and
up-tempo instrumental pieces insure that the listener never gets bored.
“Sheperds walk” is the prime example of their musical
skills and their joy of playing. It is the last song on the more than
one-hour-long CD and is dedicated to Ritchie Blackmore (Blackmore’s
Night), who has been a friend of the Geyers for mayn years now.
Just as you’d expect from Albert, Thomas, Georg and Jost they
play with the music back from the minstrels’ days in their own
way, romantic, full of passion or subtle feelings at times, on the
other hand they also use up-tempo and vivacious rhythms. Those expecting
nothing but a CD full of yearning from “Und dein roter Mund”
might be a bit disappointed, as love is not only about heart-breaking
melancholy.
Cherub
Earshot
Geyers „Lästerzungen“
06.12.2004
www.earshot.at
A great piece of work, full of relish,
gg three cheers to the middle ages and taking the audience a few centuries
back. And it is not an easy task creating archaic music without sounding
out-dated. With “Lästerzungen” the band from southern
Germany have managed to combine tradition and modern music, without
subjecting innovation to musical dogma. They managed the process of
blending useful elements of the past and bits of contemporary music.
The sound of the recording is well-balanced and has a great presence,
which is also due to the unusual choice of the instruments...
6 points out of 7
Powermetal.de
www.powermetal.de
Holger Andrae 06.08.2003
Geyers- Und dein roter Mund
...on the present album..it’s about
thier fifth..the listener gets to hear 12 compositions mainly based
on medieval traditions, but also with writing influence by the Geyers
themselves. In contrast to the silver discs usually presented on these
pages the friends of variety , subtlety and humour will encounter
a rather unusual array of musical instruments on this album:
Hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, krummhorn,low whistle, marimba,key-fiddle as
well as the Irish bouzouki, percussion, flutes and recorders and-what
a nice surprise-even guitars.
You may have realised already: The Geyers-formerly known as ‘des
Geyers schwarzer Haufen’ don’t give a damn about what’s
trendy and just travel through the country as cheerful minstrels.
Some of you might have marvelled at them when they were supporting
mater Blackmore and his Night. This Ritchie likes the Geyers a lot
and has been supporting them for years, which has led to guesting
on each others’ albums.
Neglecting the lyrical side of their music would be -even though being
fully aware of their supreme musical skills-a sin. Listening to the
words of the opener “Im Maien” will make a grin appear
on the listener’s face. Throughout the album we get to listen
to a variety of instrumentals and songs with lyrics, so wee can enjoy
a well-balanced album. I’d like to highlight the excellent singing
of three quarteres of the band, which is especially beautiful to listen
to when they sing together, with the bass lines at times giving it
that extra amusing quality.
Naming other highlights of this album is quite hard due to the overall
excellent quality. Maybe “Die weiber mit den Flöhen”,
“Pastime”-the only song with English lyrics, which has
aslo been recorded in a unique version on Blackmore’s Night’s
“Under a violet moon” album, and “Freies Wort”
should be mentioned.
I’ll now let you go, asking you to check out this band that
is also an excellent live act. It’s a hell of a joy!
Musik an Sich
www.musikansich.de
Und dein roter Mund – having a
first look at the title inevitably makes me think of In Extremos not
too well-done “Erdbeermund”, but fortunately these assosiations
are unjustified.
Musically and lyrically we’re travelling between the 14th and
19th century, instrumentals and songs are both present on the album.
The geyers are one of the longest-established medieval bands, which
is very noticeable: Very refined arrangements of the melodies, seemingly
provided effortless are a characteristic feature of this CD that gives
you the opportunity of discovering new bits even after the umpteenth
listen. It invites you to move and dance along to it, and if I were
the owner of a rocking-chair I’d consider it the ideal music
for relaxing.
Score: 18 points out of 20
CD review by Richard Gillit (July 2003)
Geyers – Und Dein Roter Mund
(Geyers Records 2003)
The first studio album to feature the talents of ‘new’
guitarist Georg Hesse and certainly eagerly awaited.
Opening track is a cracker, almost a medieval salsa with memorable
catchy and busy instrumental theme following an excellent chorus,
which features some entertaining basement ‘in your boots’,
backing vocals from Albert. Already a firm Geyers favourite.
Scottish sounding Bagpipes (Dudelzack) introduce the jolly sounding
instrumental ‘Branle de Bourgogne’ which we first heard
at Caerphilly ‘Grosse Kase’ two years ago. This track
illustrates how the Geyers complement each other so well and the chemistry
of the band, apparent throughout the latest release.
The title track is new to me and is of a slower tempo, almost a lament,
show casing Thomas’s considerable vocal abilities. Perhaps a
little similar to ‘Das Frei Wort’ which features later
on the album.
‘Adieu ce bon vin de Lannoys’ apart from having no idea
what the meaning is, features the piping talents of one Albert Dannenmann
and reminds me a little of ‘Scarborough Fayre’. The pipes,
fiddle and lastly Dudelzack each get a turn at playing the main melody
in this instrumental, before the pipe returns to close proceedings.
The ‘Flea Song’ or ‘Die Weiber mit den Flohen’
is a real standout track and although the listener is not able to
witness the Geyers antics, which are on display when this number is
performed, live, it is one of the albums finest moments. This song
illustrates the vocal talent within this band and the un-accompanied
harmonies and expression are excellent. With Albert once again laying
the foundations. The instrumental section reminds me of a cross between
‘Good King Wencelesslass’ and Blackmore’s Night
‘Under a Violet Moon’ which gradually increases in tempo
driven on by Jost’s hand drums, to break neck speed.
‘Bretonisch’ has been a real favourite since I first heard
it in 2001 and is a very welcome inclusion to the new CD. Another
catchy tune which features the fiddle talents of Thomas Roth, the
deft acoustic guitar of Georg and of course the bellowing Dudelzack
of Albert with Jost keeping perfect time with percussion which is
a mixture of hand drums and conventional acoustic kit.
‘Das Freie Wort’ is resurrected from ‘All Voll’
and has received a makeover since the original version. The tempo
is slightly different and this increases as the song wends its way
to eventual conclusion. Of course this song was where Ritchie Blackmore
derived his inspiration for ‘Catherine Howard’s Fate’
and this is demonstrated by Albert’s serene pipe playing.
‘Tristans Klage’ and ‘La Rotta’ are both new
tracks and very much in the Geyers mould. The former an instrumental
which features some fine violin from Thomas and vibrato guitar work
from Georg. The latter is another jolly instrumental which leaves
an instant impression and indelible mark on the listener.
The familiar strains of ‘Pass Time’ follow and the only
song with English lyrics. A more grandiose and stately version than
Blackmore’s Night with all four instruments, not forgetting
voices contributing to produce a very time honoured sound. You can
almost picture Henry VIII sat at court nodding approval….or
is that Albert ? Clever octave change maintains the interest to the
end.
‘Abschied’ is another new track to these ears and features
a delightful melodic chorus which suffers from a premature fade out.
The drumming and percussion is a little similar to ‘Gottliche
Devise’ but less pronounced.
‘Shepherds Walk’ closes the album and is an instrumental
based around ‘Renaissance Faire’. It gives a different
slant to a very well known song originally penned by Tilman Susato
inspiration to both the Geyers and guitar legend Ritchie Blackmore.
This album has been a permanent feature on the Forest Town play list
of late and the songs sound better with every listen. For me it is
one of their strongest studio albums and showcases the unique and
extraordinary talents and versatility of the band. A word on the production,
which allows the songs to breathe, gives a clear sound and distinguishes
all instruments. I sincerely hope that once again the band will be
able to visit these shores again In October and gain the support in
the UK their talents and personalities well deserve. Judging from
a sneak preview I have heard of some new demo material the acoustic
talents are only half the story……next Geyers ‘In
Rock’….
Powermetal
The foolowing reviews are published here courtesy of
Georg Weihrauch, from the online-magazine Powermetal.de
Thanks a lot!
The Geyers
16.06.2001, Oehringen, Schlosshof
Every year you find a lot of mediaeval combos on the faires during
the summer, who entertain the masses with their melodies. Best knows
in the metal scene are In Extremo and Corvus Corax, but beside these
there are other top bands who play this kind of music.One of them
is the minstrel band THE GEYERS, formerly Des Geyers Schwarzer Haufen,
who we adored in the court of the castle Oehringen. The Geyers, again
support for Blackmore´s Night this year, have two different
programs to offer. The "loud set", as Thomas Roth says,
the frontman of the band whose voise reminds of Konstantin Wecker,
and on the other hand the "low set". Today we heard the
soft sound. The bass man had been left at home, and guitarrist Gerog
Hesse played around with several acoustic guitars and lutes. Which
leads us into counting the instruments. Singer Thomas Roth and his
mate Albert Dannenmann played no less than 5 differetn bag pipes (Hümmelchen,
Dudei, Spanish and German pipes and the German "Bock" -
which is decorated with huge horns). Additionally they had several
flutes and recorders, nyckelharpas, hurdy gurdy, crumhorns, pipes,
Dulcian, horns etc. It was an astonishing variety of instruments.
Musically they offered the more low entertaining line, which was perfect
for the audience, consisting mostly of middle aged people.Beside the
stage were a few couples trying mediaeval dances. The lyrics often
were from the department "not too nice", introduced by funny
speeches by Thomas Roth, who always found something for a good laugh.
During the break there was a man swallowing fire, and a night watchman
entered the stage and told stories about the living and loving in
his home town.
There was a christmas song, performed without words from seasonal
reasons, during which Jost Pogrzeba could make a proof of his skills
on the drums.He used only a single drum , a djembe, stuck between
his legs, and showed us, that a good drummer can do an interesting
and varied drum solo on one single drum.
The audience was well entertained, but only when "Was wollen
wir trinken" was played, they got really into it, there was singing
and hand clapping as much as everyone could. In the end the show of
the guys was over much too quickly, and they had to return for two
encores.
Setlist
Guten Abend
Deux Jollis Dames
Tourdion
Branle Des Bourgogne
Die Weiber mit den Flöhen
Böses Weib
Adieu Ce Bon Vin De Lanroise
Herori Matori
Ballade an eine treulose Freundin
Gavotten
Bretonisch
Landsknechte kommen
Elegie
Pastime With Good Company
Quatre Branle
Noel
All Voll
Was wollen wir trinken
Wohlauf wir wollen schlafen
Das freie Wort
Gallizisch
Ronde 9
The Geyers (a/e)
06.07.2001, Waeschenbeuren, Waescherschloss
Two weeks ago I could enjoy the music
of Medieval Folk Band THE GEYERS (formerly. DES GEYERS SCHWARZER HAUFEN).
The fascination they caused with their mediaeval music led me to check
their acoustic/electric set today, played in the romatic courtyard
of the Waescherschloss in Waeschenbeuren. Singer Thomas Roth described
it: "When we play a set like this, people often ask: do you play
alwayys with a drum set etc, from now on? Answer: No, but today!"
Sure, the parts of the electric guitar will produce a smile on the
faces of a metal audience, there are only a few songs in the set with
the typical distortion. Alsom the band is far from the harshness which
you hear with In Extremo. But... "Who Cares"? We don´t
always need it! No! Today we were invited to enjoy nice melodies,
played on istruments like bag pipes, flutes, lutes etc. The "merry
playing with mediaeval music" - as Thomas Roth calls it - did
not fail to impress the audience, which had people of all ages. The
enthusiasm rose from song to song. The guitar solo of Georg Hesse,
really worth listening even for friends of a harder set, opened the
more "hard" part of the set. The guitar was played in its
full loudness. But before there was a break, during which you could
relieve nature in the "stables" (said Thomas).
The second half also was convincing.
Again the band played lively through their set, interrupted by the
funny introductions by Thomas, which were similar to those of last
time. Interesting to see also bass man Michel Walter, who showed phantastic
skills on his upright bass as well as on electric.He only playes those
gigs marked a/e. "Wohlauf wir wollen schlafen"(Come on let´s
go to sleep) led to the end of the set, but as rocky and intelligent
as they played it, nobody could even think of sleep. Come on let´s
go to head bang, would have been the correct title for this version
of the song.
They came back for two encores, demanded
by the audience, the applause lead by the boss of Ritchie Blackmore´s
German fan club.
Setlist
Elegie
Deux Jolies Dames
Tourdion
Böses Weib
Branle de Bourgogne
Ballade an eine treulose Freundin
Herori Matori
Mon Ami
Gavotten
--------------
Bretonisch
All Voll
Ronde 9
Pastime with Good Company
Noel
Göttliche Devise
Was wollen wir trinken
Wohlauf wir wollen Schlafen
-------------
Das freie Wort
Mohrentanz
-------------
Galizisch