A favourite pastime in my youth was flicking through the racks at my local record store. In those days there seemed to be such places in every backstreet. Nowadays of course you’re lucky to have even one independent Record store in your City – even if you’re City is a big one. Bonn is also practically a disc buying desert unless you’re after the latest from Lady Gaga, Bläck Föös or BAP. We do have an oasis though in Maximilianstrasse called ‘Mr Music’. What’s more you can help support Mr M by voting for them in Cargo Records ‘Plattenladen des Jahres Award 2011’ Doing so will show your support at a time when a lot of shops are closing in Bonn. Record Shops are an endangered species – once gone they are gone forever. To give Bonn’s Mr Music a step towards the award just VOTE HERE
As an extra incentive, there are also prizes to be won!
If you’ve visited the Mr Music store in Bonn since last November you will know that Julian Sas was at the Harmonie on Saturday. If you missed it though – or left it too late (the show was sold-out weeks ago) never fear. Julian will be back NEXT November and tickets are already on sale. By all that you will have guessed that Sas is something of a phenomenon around Bonn. Born in Holland yet almost as popular here as our own Beethoven it seems. What’s his secret? 3Songs was at the tenth anniversary show of the Sas/Bonn saga to find out.
One of my favourite Blues CD’s of 2009 was the collaboration by Henrik Freischlader/Martin Meinschäfer. Hearing that the two were behind the latest disc, ‘Sleep Little Girl’ by Canadian vocalist Layla Zoe made this a ‘must hear; for me, Is it what I’d hoped?
German Tommy Schneller and Canadian Layla Zoe were both at the Harmonie this week to introduce their new CD’s. Also alongside was the drummer, bass player and guitarist on both CD’s a certain renowned Bluesman named Henrik Freischlader. Ever seen a man play three instruments at the same time? Me neither. Even Hendrik wasn’t up to that trick. He did assemble a starry set of musicians for a special night of music though -with the cool jazz of Schneller and fiery Blues voice of Firegirl Lady Zoe shining brightest of all.
For those who enjoyed the stunning Rockpalast show in April 2008 it had been a long wait. Finally though the King of the electric resonator guitar was back in town with his band ’Big Motor’ and, as the name suggests, they roared through a frantic set at the Harmonie.
Ana Popovic is back from a barnstorming tour of The States.