15th August 2003

Photos © Peter Ernszt | Click to enlarge

Augsburger Allgemeine 28th July 2003

Hubert von Goisern and Haindling inspire at the summit meeting in Kaltenberg

Kaltenberg. "Ihr versteht's des oane genauso wenig wia des andere," ("You understand one as little as the other,") mocks Achleitner alias Hubert von Goisern into his microphone. "Is wuascht, ob's as versteht's. Was eich einfallt, des gült." ("It doesn't matter if you understand it. What occurs to you is what counts.") Does he have a communication problem with his audience or not? Gauged on the enthusiasm of his 12,000 supporters in the Kaltenberg Arena, he does not. Just as little as Haindling. The two met in solidarity at the weekend for a summit meeting of the progressive folk music scene. A crossover of Bavarian dialect, down-to-earth alpine sound and world music was the quality constant for a pleasurable alternative to the folksy front.

German drinking songs and samba

Certainly: nothing is forbidden. There can be German drinking songs when Hubert von Goisern works his accordion, in the background the electric bass booms and hips are vivaciously swung to samba-salsa-reggae-mix. "I wollt, i wär' a wengerl mehr katholisch," ("I wish I was a bit more Catholic,") the Austrian raves ironically over the loudspeakers, in order to release one yodel after the other from his world traveller rucksack into the evening sky over Kaltenberg. The time with Alpinkatzen lies far off. His musical message has become more comprehensive. The Hiatamadl-rock-rebellion has led into a type of alpine-ethno-pop. Hubert von Goisern radiates casual Caribbean flair in the old "long song tradition" with Akipenda, funk and country dance embrace, Africa and the diatonic background combine into the music of the global instrumental marvel. Without a doubt a highpoint of his appearance: Wia die Zeit Vergeht, with which the sound tourist glides into Central Europe again from his transcontinental tour - romantic, melancholy and simply thrilling. The audience thanks him for the fascinating style mixture with enthusiastic applause.

[...]

Angela Häusler

Thanks Mary

5th August 2003

Photos © E & H Christl | Click to enlarge

Süddeutsche Zeitung 29th July 2003

Musical summit meeting in Kaltenberg
Hubert von Goisern and Hans-Jürgen Buchner in the sold out Kaltenberg Ritterspiele arena

"I wollt I war a bisserl mehr katholisch" ("I wish I was a little more Catholic"), Hubert von Goisern confesses to his audience. Why does he cherish this wish? "Because of absolution," he explains and enthuses about how great it is to quickly get rid of your sins with a little confession. Every Tibetan Buddhist must be jealous, because he needs at least three months for it. "If he's quick."

As he says that, he has been standing on stage at the Kaltenberg Gipfeltreffen for half an hour in the sold out arena in front of 12,00 people. He has already brought them onto his side at that moment and can allow himself a heretical few words against Rome and the Pope. Right at the beginning it would have been more difficult. The audience were namely still distanced and gave only restrained applause - he and his six band colleagues had to first prove how broad their musical spectrum is. But samples of alpine polka with accordion or harmonica to cosmopolitan funk provided for atmosphere.

Now the audience also follows the tour through the musical styles of this world with fascination. Von Goisern sings of eternal headache in the blues, penetrates the listeners' heads with a siren-like yodel, then plays again "something from further away" and shows his knowledge of Swahili. He plays the trumpet and flute, and he drums energetically with his band in a salsa percussion piece. The mood first becomes more measured again, as he begins to play Heast es net and reminds each individual how quickly it passes, time.

[...]

Michael Tibudd
Copyright © sueddeutsche.de GmbH/Süddeutsche Zeitung GmbH

www.ritterturnier.de 28th July 2003

Photos © Kaltenberger Ritterturnier