Volkwin Müller - Mit anderen Augen (CD)

Hamburg has always been one of the most important music cities in Germany, a fact that dates back not only to the early days of the Beatles, but above all to Hamburg's current musical scene with a diverse mix of classical, pop, musicals, and major festivals. Detmold-based songwriter Volkwin Müller also made his way to the Elbe River to fulfill a dream: to record an album in his favorite city with top-notch musicians.
Directed by the exceptional Hamburg guitarist and producer Uli Kringler (including Sarah Connor, Roger Cicero, Pe Werner, Paul O'Brian), who has already breathed his unmistakable breath into the album "Paints and Powders" by Julian Dawson and "Paul O'Brian - Live in Hamburg". The team was supported by first-class musicians such as Heinz Lichius, probably the busiest drummer in Europe (including Bob Mintzer, Michel Petrucciani, Ulla Meinecke Band, NDR Big Band), bassist Lars Hansen (including Ute Lemper, Gordon Haskell, NDR Symphony Orchestra), pianist and keyboardist Mathias “Matze” Kloppe (including Roachford, Stefan Gwildis), songwriter and harpist Julian Dawson (including Richard Thompson, BAP, Little Feat), choir singers Fontaine Burnett (including Marla Glenn, Chaka Khan, The Temptations) and Amsterdam-based Hanna Prins, as well as Hamburg cellist Susanne Schott and Moscow-born violinist Julia Orlova (including Tim Bendzko, musicals “Rocky” and “The Lion King”). Volkwin’s new CD was mixed and mastered by Tobias Eichelberg (including Scorpions, Die Toten Hosen unplugged, Rainbirds).
The special cover artwork is by graphic designer, bassist and two-time Grammy winner Klaus Voormann, who has been there everywhere - with Manfred Mann as bassist, as a graphic designer for the Beatles, and later as bassist during John Lennon's solo years. Hardly any place harbors as much serenity and joy in music as Uli Kringler's studio in Finkenwerder on the Elbe. And that is precisely why Volkwin's new album was created in this little corner of the world. A perfect place to record your music during the day and, far from the stress and hustle and bustle, to sit on a terrace or on the dike at sunset in the evening, watching the ships across the Elbe, enjoying a delicious glass of red wine and gathering strength and energy for the next day of recording. And then, the next day, to record powerful, loud and quiet songs that tell of life and speak directly from the heart. "Mit anderen Augen" shows a versatility and depth that only a few German songwriters achieve. 100% Volkwin inspired by gentle influences such as Jackson Browne, Justin Currie (Del Amitri) or David Crosby.
The result is twelve songs about moments you'll never forget: about solidarity, friendship, love, loss, and changing perspectives. Musical moments full of images and emotions that are rarely so beautifully expressed in words and melodies. "Mit anderen Augen" is intense and positive, offering impressive levels of musical and emotional intimacy. A mature work that encourages you to look at your own life from a little more distance, perhaps ultimately seeing it through different eyes.
Volkwin proves himself to be a talented songwriter in search of the perfect song, seeking the right musical expression for his stories with the help of producer Uli Kringler. With these twelve songs, he creates catchy tunes that wrap listeners up warm, as if to protect them from the approaching autumn with its rainy weather and stormy winds. And he succeeds admirably. The music takes you on a journey into the universe from which you won't want to return anytime soon.
Ballads like "Es bleibt in deinen Herzen" (It Remains in Your Heart) and "Du werden Dich noch wundern" (You Will Be Amazed) instantly warm your heart. The song "Solidarity" is about an encounter with former Polish President Lech Walesa and is more relevant than ever, especially in these times. This song is accompanied by finely arranged strings. The songs "Jeder" (Everyone) and "Es ist vorbei" (It's Over) are foot-tapping and are the finest pop with a touch of folk. "Wenn Du Dein Lied einfagst" (If You Catch Your Song) captures the magic of music and songwriting.
With this album, the Detmold songwriter with the special voice has made an impressive comeback after his debut “Signale” (2005) and “Strawberry Songs” (2012), which was highly acclaimed by the specialist press, with completely new interpretations of “John Lennon” songs and proves that he has developed further as a songwriter.

01 Solidarity
02 It's over
03 You want it
04 It remains in your heart
05 Something happened here
06 When angels fly
07 Everyone
08 You'll be amazed
09 Father and Son
10 When you catch your song
11 When someone leaves
12 No one can take you away