Richard Bargel - Dead Slow Stampede (Sonderedition rotes 12" Vinyl)

The tenth album of his 50-year career gives Richard Bargel (72) a new face

Richard Bargel has been an institution in the German music scene for over 50 years. He's at home somewhere between enfant terrible and grand seigneur. He's not easily categorized in any particular scene. Diversity defines him. His raw debut album, "Blue Steel," from 1977, was followed by eight more. His current 10th album, "Dead Slow Stampede," was produced by guitarist Fabio Nettekoven (31) and will be released on December 09.12.2022, XNUMX, on his newly founded label, "Clementine Music."

An almost retrospective album with songs from Bargel's turbulent career.

The final songs were created at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and can now be heard for the first time. But familiar pieces by Bargel also appear in a new guise. A little louder and a little more authentic – just like himself, the almost 2-meter-tall musician and actor from Cologne's Südstadt district. He celebrated not only his 50th stage anniversary with the start of the recordings, but also his 70th birthday. The album celebrates Richard Bargel's life and work with his live songs. His band, "Dead Slow Stampede," is not only one of the key ingredients that gives the album its name, but is also largely responsible for the strong foundation of the songs on which the at times cinematic and opulent production is built.

Recording live - without a safety net or double bottom

"Dead Slow Stampede" was recorded by Tobias Thiele in the venerable Maarweg Studios in western Cologne, using equipment and microphones some of which are older than the musicians themselves. Each song was recorded live in the studio together, rather than the usual method of recording each musician one after the other. The improvised solos are snapshots that give the listener an extraordinary, intimate insight into the band's work.

Bargel's long-standing band as the most important ingredient

Countless concerts have made Richard Bargels' three musicians what they are: a perfectly coordinated band that sensitively responds to the needs of this often unconventional artist. With Geert Roelofs (drums) and Jo Didderen (double bass), the band boasts a strong foundation. They understand how to serve the songs without losing their sense of solo talent. For Bargels' long-time musical mentor, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Fabio Nettekoven, this provided the perfect canvas for an extraordinary production and interpretation of the songs. Special instruments, including the Mellotron, a tape-driven, primal sampler (The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever), provided cinematic and epic-sounding choir and string orchestrations. The pedal steel guitar, an instrument actually rooted in country music, or transistor organs from the 60s, along with various quirky percussion instruments, gave the production its own touch.

Page A
01 One-Way Ticket
02 Risks and Chances
03 I Go Blue
04 Break The Chain
05 Heart Shine Girl
Side B
06 Grizzly Bear
07 I Will Die For You
08 What a Fool I Am
09 Time For Mr. Blues