10375 - HANS THEESSINK - LIFELINE (1998)
HANS THEESSINK
''LIFELINE''
1998
59:14
**********
1 Soul On Fire 05:36
2 Soul Of A Man 03:33
3 Missing You 06:45
4 Lifeline 02:50
5 Automobile 03:15
6 Ready For The Ride 05:10
7 Six Strings Down (A. Neville, C. Neville, E. Kalb, K. Smith, J. Vaughan) 04:16
8 Love Sweet Love 04:17
9 Bloodsucker Blues 03:31
10 Lovin' Man 03:15
11 Mandolin Man 04:37
12 Death Don't Have No Mercy (Rev. Gary Davies) 04:23
13 Going Home 03:45
14 Blue Seagull 03:56
Tracks By Theessink, Except As Indicated
**********
ABOUT THE ALBUM
**********
LIFELINE - THE STORY
Hans Theessink
Lifeline is my 15th album. In the fall of 1997 I did a string of concerts with The Holmes Brothers and we decided to record some tunes in our limited free time between shows. The sessions were a lot of fun and we wound up with five songs for this CD: My own “Automobile”, “Lifeline”, “Bloodsucker Blues” (I still wonder what made me write such a nasty song?!), “Ready For the Ride” and the Blind Willie Johnson classic “Soul Of A Man”.
My favourite musical instrument is the human voice and aside from some fine playing, Wendell, Sherman and Popsy spiced up the songs with their expressive voices and inspired singing. I wanted to involve more singers and immediately thought of Linda Tillery & The Cultural Heritage Choir. We’d met at a couple of summer-festivals in Canada during 1997, where we shared workshop stages on different occasions. I was totally impressed with their music and stage presence. Easily one of the best things I heard (and saw) that summer. Their beautiful blend of vocals can be heard on “Soul On Fire”, “Love Sweet Love”, “Six Strings Down”, “Going Home” and “Missing You”.
Insingizi EmnyamaAt a Christmas charity concert in Graz, Austria, I ran into Insingizi Emnyama from Zimbabwe. Their powerful singing blew me away. They joined me in the studio for “Soul On Fire”, to which they added a fabulous African twist. They also joined The Holmes Brothers and myself for the full male choir treatment on “Ready For The Ride”.
Performing “Soul on Fire” became a real intercontinental operation. The song combines the talents of musicians and singers from Asia (Jatinder on tablas), Africa (Insingizi Emnyama), America and the Carribean (Jon, Linda, Alee) and Europe (Eoin on Irish pipes, myself and drummer Christian Eigner).
For me, Charles Brown is a true musical treasure. Over the years we have met on several occasions. On a 1997 Blues Cruise in the Carribean, Charles agreed to a recording session. He sang on “Love Sweet Love” - It’s an honour to have Charles Brown on this record!
Pee Wee Ellis was already part of the hornsection on my “Call Me” album some years ago. I’m a fan of his sound and tone and and it’s great to have Pee Wee’s wonderful tenor sax on “Missing You”. The only other horn on the album belongs to my old friend and sidekick Jon Sass, who never ceases to amaze me with his incredible tuba-sounds.
Dave Pearlman impressed me with his soulful pedalsteel-playing on my “Journey On” album. His distinctive sound can also be heard on some songs on LIFELINE. Alee Thelfa, my friend and longtime member of my touring band Blue Groove, was once again on board to sing backing vocals and play percussion. Ali also swapped the drum-seat with Christian Eigner on a few songs.
Charles Brown Even though their appearances are brief, I’d like to mention the highly appreciated performances of four musicians who also added their personalities and sounds to the mix: Richard Bell, Jatinder Thakur, Angus Thomas and Eoin Duignan.
For a mandolin-player and a blues-afficionado like myself there’s no way around Yank Rachell, the greatest bluesmandolinplayer ever. We met several times at festivals and Yank had agreed to record a couple of tunes with me. Unfortunately we didn’t get it together in time “ Yank died in April of 1997. I wrote “Mandolin Man” which is dedicated to his memory.
My father gave me a mandolin when I was a kid and ignited my passion for anything with strings on it. I love guitars and over the years have collected many different ones. I usually don’t look for expensive instruments with collector’s value. I’m more interested in sound and character. (Some of the greatest blues music was played on cheap, beatup guitars!). On this album I’ve tried to put my guitars - and other string instruments - in the foreground alongside the voices. In the CD-booklet you will find photographs of several instruments which I’ve used on the LIFELINE-sessions.
I’d like to think of each song as a little LIFELINE that basically touches a positive vibe. We certainly felt that vibe in the studio and had a great time making the music happen. Enjoy ...
**********
OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
We've already had an American in Paris, but a Dutchman in Vienna? And one who has dedicated himself, body and soul, to American blues and roots music? Okay, Hans Theessink (pronounced Tay-sink) did not pick the easiest way to do this, but he has done so with a certain degree of single-mindedness.
Like others of his generation, in the early 1960‘s a love of the Blues took hold of the man whom Bo Diddley described as "one helluva guitar player", and it has not let go since. Above all, the country blues with its earthy and heartfelt sound impressed Hans Theessink and played a major role in his development as a musician. His roots are unmistakenly in the blues, but has also been influenced by countless other aspects of roots music. This musical variety has become a trademark of Hans Theessink, who as a songwriter has succeeded in building bridges to the present in addressing issues which reflect the reality of the here and now.
Hans is probably Europe's bluesexport Nr.1 - one of the top blues and roots musicians worldwide who has entertained audiences around the globe during a musical career that spans over more than 35 years. The world's leading bluespaper - US magazine Blues Revue wrote: "Hans Theessink is an international blues treasure. He is one of the world's pre-eminent country pickers and his warm baritone expresses blues".
Theessink's first recording was an EP in 1970. Since then his music has continually developed and so far Hans has released 20 albums, a songbook, a blues-guitar instruction video and a DVD. His CDs are guaranteed award winners. "Banjoman", the tribute project to Derroll Adams, that Hans produced with Arlo Guthrie, was recently nominated for a Grammy.
In 2004 Hans got the Austrian Amadeus award for "Songs from the Southland", a tribute to the music of the American South - a constant source of inspiration and companion on his musical journey. A Danish Music Award for best bluesalbum followed in 2005. His most recent CD "Bridges" - a recording with the new Hans Theessink Band, is again nominated for the Amadeus in the category best Blues-, Jazz-, Roots-, Folk-album. Hans' latest work is a DVD "Live in Concert" - "A Blues & Roots Revue" - it shows the Hans Theessink Band in action + lots of other special features. Hans' productions are known for their excellent sound quality and are also in big demand in HiFi circles.
Through his unmistakable guitarwork, sonorous baritone voice and stage presence, Hans has attained a status which is unique for a European. He has performed at many of the most prominent North American music festivals such as the "New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival", the "Chicago Blues Festival", the "Kerville Folk Festival", the "Toronto Soul & Blues Festival", the "Kansas City Blues & Jazz Festival", the "Edmonton Folk Festival", the "St.Louis Blues & Heritage Festival", the "King Biscuit Blues Festival", the "Woody Guthrie Festival" and the "Ultimate Rhythm and Blues Cruise" to name a few.
Hans Theessink has become one of the most sought-after artists of the international blues scene. He is more or less constantly "on tour" and plays an average of 200 concerts a year - a modern day troubadour and entertainer who keeps on spellbinding audiences all over the world with his rich and emotional sounds.
**********
WEBSITE
**********
TO THE TOP
**********
''LIFELINE''
1998
59:14
**********
1 Soul On Fire 05:36
2 Soul Of A Man 03:33
3 Missing You 06:45
4 Lifeline 02:50
5 Automobile 03:15
6 Ready For The Ride 05:10
7 Six Strings Down (A. Neville, C. Neville, E. Kalb, K. Smith, J. Vaughan) 04:16
8 Love Sweet Love 04:17
9 Bloodsucker Blues 03:31
10 Lovin' Man 03:15
11 Mandolin Man 04:37
12 Death Don't Have No Mercy (Rev. Gary Davies) 04:23
13 Going Home 03:45
14 Blue Seagull 03:56
Tracks By Theessink, Except As Indicated
**********
ABOUT THE ALBUM
**********
LIFELINE - THE STORY
Hans Theessink
Lifeline is my 15th album. In the fall of 1997 I did a string of concerts with The Holmes Brothers and we decided to record some tunes in our limited free time between shows. The sessions were a lot of fun and we wound up with five songs for this CD: My own “Automobile”, “Lifeline”, “Bloodsucker Blues” (I still wonder what made me write such a nasty song?!), “Ready For the Ride” and the Blind Willie Johnson classic “Soul Of A Man”.
My favourite musical instrument is the human voice and aside from some fine playing, Wendell, Sherman and Popsy spiced up the songs with their expressive voices and inspired singing. I wanted to involve more singers and immediately thought of Linda Tillery & The Cultural Heritage Choir. We’d met at a couple of summer-festivals in Canada during 1997, where we shared workshop stages on different occasions. I was totally impressed with their music and stage presence. Easily one of the best things I heard (and saw) that summer. Their beautiful blend of vocals can be heard on “Soul On Fire”, “Love Sweet Love”, “Six Strings Down”, “Going Home” and “Missing You”.
Insingizi EmnyamaAt a Christmas charity concert in Graz, Austria, I ran into Insingizi Emnyama from Zimbabwe. Their powerful singing blew me away. They joined me in the studio for “Soul On Fire”, to which they added a fabulous African twist. They also joined The Holmes Brothers and myself for the full male choir treatment on “Ready For The Ride”.
Performing “Soul on Fire” became a real intercontinental operation. The song combines the talents of musicians and singers from Asia (Jatinder on tablas), Africa (Insingizi Emnyama), America and the Carribean (Jon, Linda, Alee) and Europe (Eoin on Irish pipes, myself and drummer Christian Eigner).
For me, Charles Brown is a true musical treasure. Over the years we have met on several occasions. On a 1997 Blues Cruise in the Carribean, Charles agreed to a recording session. He sang on “Love Sweet Love” - It’s an honour to have Charles Brown on this record!
Pee Wee Ellis was already part of the hornsection on my “Call Me” album some years ago. I’m a fan of his sound and tone and and it’s great to have Pee Wee’s wonderful tenor sax on “Missing You”. The only other horn on the album belongs to my old friend and sidekick Jon Sass, who never ceases to amaze me with his incredible tuba-sounds.
Dave Pearlman impressed me with his soulful pedalsteel-playing on my “Journey On” album. His distinctive sound can also be heard on some songs on LIFELINE. Alee Thelfa, my friend and longtime member of my touring band Blue Groove, was once again on board to sing backing vocals and play percussion. Ali also swapped the drum-seat with Christian Eigner on a few songs.
Charles Brown Even though their appearances are brief, I’d like to mention the highly appreciated performances of four musicians who also added their personalities and sounds to the mix: Richard Bell, Jatinder Thakur, Angus Thomas and Eoin Duignan.
For a mandolin-player and a blues-afficionado like myself there’s no way around Yank Rachell, the greatest bluesmandolinplayer ever. We met several times at festivals and Yank had agreed to record a couple of tunes with me. Unfortunately we didn’t get it together in time “ Yank died in April of 1997. I wrote “Mandolin Man” which is dedicated to his memory.
My father gave me a mandolin when I was a kid and ignited my passion for anything with strings on it. I love guitars and over the years have collected many different ones. I usually don’t look for expensive instruments with collector’s value. I’m more interested in sound and character. (Some of the greatest blues music was played on cheap, beatup guitars!). On this album I’ve tried to put my guitars - and other string instruments - in the foreground alongside the voices. In the CD-booklet you will find photographs of several instruments which I’ve used on the LIFELINE-sessions.
I’d like to think of each song as a little LIFELINE that basically touches a positive vibe. We certainly felt that vibe in the studio and had a great time making the music happen. Enjoy ...
**********
OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
We've already had an American in Paris, but a Dutchman in Vienna? And one who has dedicated himself, body and soul, to American blues and roots music? Okay, Hans Theessink (pronounced Tay-sink) did not pick the easiest way to do this, but he has done so with a certain degree of single-mindedness.
Like others of his generation, in the early 1960‘s a love of the Blues took hold of the man whom Bo Diddley described as "one helluva guitar player", and it has not let go since. Above all, the country blues with its earthy and heartfelt sound impressed Hans Theessink and played a major role in his development as a musician. His roots are unmistakenly in the blues, but has also been influenced by countless other aspects of roots music. This musical variety has become a trademark of Hans Theessink, who as a songwriter has succeeded in building bridges to the present in addressing issues which reflect the reality of the here and now.
Hans is probably Europe's bluesexport Nr.1 - one of the top blues and roots musicians worldwide who has entertained audiences around the globe during a musical career that spans over more than 35 years. The world's leading bluespaper - US magazine Blues Revue wrote: "Hans Theessink is an international blues treasure. He is one of the world's pre-eminent country pickers and his warm baritone expresses blues".
Theessink's first recording was an EP in 1970. Since then his music has continually developed and so far Hans has released 20 albums, a songbook, a blues-guitar instruction video and a DVD. His CDs are guaranteed award winners. "Banjoman", the tribute project to Derroll Adams, that Hans produced with Arlo Guthrie, was recently nominated for a Grammy.
In 2004 Hans got the Austrian Amadeus award for "Songs from the Southland", a tribute to the music of the American South - a constant source of inspiration and companion on his musical journey. A Danish Music Award for best bluesalbum followed in 2005. His most recent CD "Bridges" - a recording with the new Hans Theessink Band, is again nominated for the Amadeus in the category best Blues-, Jazz-, Roots-, Folk-album. Hans' latest work is a DVD "Live in Concert" - "A Blues & Roots Revue" - it shows the Hans Theessink Band in action + lots of other special features. Hans' productions are known for their excellent sound quality and are also in big demand in HiFi circles.
Through his unmistakable guitarwork, sonorous baritone voice and stage presence, Hans has attained a status which is unique for a European. He has performed at many of the most prominent North American music festivals such as the "New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival", the "Chicago Blues Festival", the "Kerville Folk Festival", the "Toronto Soul & Blues Festival", the "Kansas City Blues & Jazz Festival", the "Edmonton Folk Festival", the "St.Louis Blues & Heritage Festival", the "King Biscuit Blues Festival", the "Woody Guthrie Festival" and the "Ultimate Rhythm and Blues Cruise" to name a few.
Hans Theessink has become one of the most sought-after artists of the international blues scene. He is more or less constantly "on tour" and plays an average of 200 concerts a year - a modern day troubadour and entertainer who keeps on spellbinding audiences all over the world with his rich and emotional sounds.
**********
WEBSITE
**********
TO THE TOP
**********
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