MP3 Balou - Prophets of the iron age

Folk-Style Music with rock elements and a focus on lyrics

14 MP3 Songs in this album (52:17) !
Related styles: COUNTRY: Americana, FOLK: Folk-Rock

People who are interested in Neil Young Eagles Phil Ochs should consider this download.


Details:
âYou were God's own country, a place of make believe. Like a city of angels with the power to relieve.â The BALOU song lyrics remind us of love poems. Many love songs are sad. âBurning the flag" is one of those sad love songs, dedicated to a lost love, dedicated to America. It is from the latest BALOU album âprophets of the iron ageâ, the fifth release in the 20 year old band history.

âSo, who is BALOU? Is he an American living in Germany? He is a modern Phil Ochs who can sing!â Grammy winner Bob Katz showed himself enthusiastic about the music on which he did the final mastering in Florida, USA. Phil Ochs was one of the most prominent political song writers of the 1960s.

In fact, BALOU is a German folk rock band. The singer, composer and band leader Andreas Detterbeck is German, like all other band members. He is âone of the most charismatic singers in Southern Germanyâ, says the editor in chief of a big German newspaper. Like many Germans, Detterbeck loved America for its spirit of freedom, justice and tolerance. Many of his songs remind us of classic West Coast melodies.

September 11th struck America with terror but also struck terror into the heart of America. What happened afterwards has changed the face of America, thus confusing Detterbeckâs ideals and identification. It inspired him to create a special folk album, including many political songs from different styles. There are melancholy ballads like âBurning the flagâ, but also e-guitar guided rock music (e.g. Bloody Sky) and straight Latin (Songs of Yesterday). In contrast to other political songwriters, Detterbeckâs way is more subtle and sometimes satirical, creating a tension between cozy melodies and delicate lyrics. For instance, AMT airlines is a reggae song, with hook lines creating Caribbean summer feeling, inspiring to easy living on the beach.

Actually the song deals with a morally and legally delicate topic, the CIA flights to Guantanamo Bay. Another political song is âMr. Presidentâ which is older than Pinkâs, but asks similar reproachful questions: âMr. President, whatâs going on? Iâm waiting for a call.â The BALOU music behind these words, however, is typical American folk and rock music, performed with instruments like mandolin, banjo and steel guitar. Detterbeckâs voice is accompanied by a variety of instruments, including percussion and Hammond organ, and fine chorus lines. Although Detterbeckâs political songs are dominated by fears and political frustrations, he creates much space for hope. âBackâ is one song leaving the audience with optimism which is nourished by faith (Rergret It) and family (Little Hand).

Some songs can be downloaded for free from www.balou.de. This website also shows photos and gives more information in German language.