Jahrtal - William Blake
[Ahnstern - 2009]
‘William Blake’ is the second album from mellow and
soothing Germanic tongued male & female folk duo Jahrtal. The album sees the
band releasing yet another very rewarding, mainly soothing, relaxing and
summer evening hazed collection of folk tracks that are primal based
around acoustic guitar, harp, banjo and a mixture of male and female vocals.
Though the album does see the band expand their sound pallet from the first
album with jazzy flute edges, a few rougher electric guitar textures, subtle
electronics and few more new sound textures and other genre hints- but none of
this ruins or changers drastically the projects hazy, mellow and warming
folk craft.
The album is subtitled Lieder Von Unschuld Und
Widerfahren(Songs of innocence and happening) as it takes it’s lyrics and
influence from two of William Blake’s more know poetry collections
'Songs of innocence' and 'Songs of Experience'; with the band using the German
translated version of the poems for the songs lyrics.
The album is split in two with the first five tracks
being subtitled 'Songs of Innocence' and this half of the album is more
typically mellow, relaxed and plan tuneful. It brings to mind the
adventures of a playful child roaming endless and fun filled mid-summer days as
they: building camps, play poo sticks and running with a multitude of
different and frolic with forest animals in long grass or shady
forests- really painting a sonic feeling of an A. A. Milne(who wrote Whiney
the Pooh) or Mary Tourtel(who wrote Rupert the Bear) story. The second half of
the album which is of course entitled 'Songs of Experience' changes tone
slightly; through it’s still predominantly mellow and tuneful it adds in more
thoughtful, sombre and experimental edges; with at times quite a discordant
tinge raising in many of the tracks chiefly from electric guitar textures.
So there’s a nice contrast and change of tone between the two half’s which
very much gives you that defined split you’d often got when albums
were written for a vinyl release.
A very pleasing, laid-back and childhood story tinged collection of warming and
tuneful male and female sang Germanic folk which shows the band experimenting
with new sonic textures and moods, yet never losing their golden, rich and
rewarding edge which made their debut album so worthwhile.
Roger
Batty (Musique Machine)
| Historia
de un poeta soñador
Jahrtal -
"William Blake - Lieder von Unschuld und Widerfahren"
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Publicado 2010-02-22
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El último disco de
Jahrtal es pura poesía. No sólo porque esté inspirado en una de las
obras de William Blake, además es admirable su increíble profundidad y
la magia que logra desprender.
Corría
el año 1789 cuando el poeta inglés William
Blake escribió "Canción de
inocencia", la primera entrega de los libros en los que Jahrtal
se ha inspirado para realizar este disco. Cinco años más tarde el
excéntrico poeta publicaría la segunda parte de "Canción
de inocencia", toda una arenga encaminada a ensalzar las
cualidades y el beneficio de la ensoñación y la fantasía frente a
las fórmulas empíricas y la ciencia que aplica el razonamiento
humano.
Blake creía en los sueños y en el más
allá, en la brujería y en la esperanza. Su mundo era un lugar en el
que todo era posible, su mente la llave maestra que abría toda
cerradura que se interpusiese en su camino. Huir del materialismo y
centrarte demasiado en tus ideas a veces puede resultar peligroso si
de una forma u otra tu cuerpo está atado al mundo. O sino que se lo
pregunten al propio Blake, que falleció
sumido en la más profunda de las pobrezas. No obstante, su alma
atesoró muchas más riquezas que la mayoría de la clase pudiente jamás
pueda imaginar. Su corazón y su mente reinaban en un mundo en el que,
por suerte para sus habitantes, la mano del materialista es cortada
por delito.
 Estos
dos libros recogen un retazo de los increíbles sueños de Blake,
y el tirolés Ewald Spiss, frontman de Jahrtal,
lo sabe perfectamente. Es por ello que decidirá rendir homenaje con
este bello disco. “William Blake” se
manifiesta esta vez en forma de CD. Un disco compuesto por doce
canciones que contienen diversos poemas traducidos al alemán
pertenecientes a la obra literaria anteriormente citada.
“William Blake”, nos muestra dos caras.
La primera es alegre y dulce, con un cierto aire bucólico que nos
hace oler el polen que transportan las abejas por el aire, disfrutar
de las infinitas pinceladas en verde que el bosque esconde, perdernos
con sus secretos y soñar escuchando canciones de cuna que se deslizan
ondeantes por encima del mundo.
Los cortes posicionados en el ecuador del disco van a presentar un
toque más sombrío y trémulo que se contrapone abiertamente a la
esencia de la primera parte. Esta continuación no desmerece en
absoluto a su comienzo, ni mucho menos. De hecho, y en mi humilde
opinión, resulta mucho más interesante encontrarte con un CD que
muestra distintos enfoques que con un estudio íntegro y lineal sobre
un tema concreto. En ellos, la melancolía y las lágrimas de néctar
cristalino explotan sobre la tierra fértil; ésta succiona
ansiosamente la pasión que desprende su esencia, paladeando por un
momento el amargo sabor del deseo.
La verdad es que este segundo disco de Jahrtal
no tiene desperdicio alguno. Lo que te vas a encontrar en el va a ser neofolk
puro y duro. Sí, de ese que apasiona a algunos y hace dormir a otros;
guitarras acústicas, instrumentos de viento, violines, acordeones y
dulces voces alemanas. A mi, personalmente, me encanta. Es uno de esos
álbumes con los que puedes relajarte y pensar que el mundo es un
lugar bello en donde poder vivir; que en alguna parte de este planeta
las cosas van bien, y si por algún casual no fuese así, podrían ir
bien en algún momento.
Es un disco solemne y apasionado, grato, y muy suave al contacto con
el oído. Un disco que se deja escuchar sin problemas y con el que vas
a disfrutar de seguro.
De las diez canciones destacaría tres: ‘Das
Hallende Grün’, que sabe a helado de chocolate; ‘Eingang’,
la más oscura de todas las que se presentan; y ‘Das
Schulkind’, que es más folky que el calcetín usado de un
ranchero. Absolutamente fantástica. Su sonido me hace recordar
vagamente el primer disco de la desaparecida Nico,
“Chelsea Girl”, que sea dicho de paso
me encanta igualmente; o también a Forseti.
Y es que si en este miserable y repugnante mundo repleto de odio, engaño
y falsas sonrisas, no crees en la esperanza que encierran los sueños,
no sé que demonios nos serviría de agarradero, si al fin y al cabo
después llega la muerte y se lo lleva todo.
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JAHRTAL:
WILLIAM BLAKE – LIEDER VON UNSCHULD UND WIDERFAHREN (58:00 min.)
AHNSTERN
/ STEINKLANG
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Jahrtal, das Projekt
des Tirolers Multiinstrumentalisten Ewald Spiss, ist irgendwie ein Relikt
längst vergangener Tage, wo sich psychedelische Einflüsse mit Elementen
aus Rock und Folklore vermischen und dabei eine dermassen intime und
intensive Stimmung vermitteln, wie es nur Künstler schaffen, die sich mit
selbst und ihrer Umwelt im reinen sind. Scheinbar ein wenig entrückt,
etwas weltfremd und doch voller Herzblut und emotionaler Hingabe. Jahrtal
vertonen mit diesem Album Gedichte von William Blake, wobei die Übersetzungen
von Ewald Spiss sich so nah an den Originalgedichten Blakes orientieren
wie nur irgend möglich. Die romantische Stimmung dieser Texte überträgt
sich auf die Musik, die in ihrer Schlichtheit und zeitlosen Schönheit
ganz grosse Gefühle zum Leben erweckt, denen von In Gowan Ring im Übrigen
nicht unähnlich. Jahrtal sind ganz sicher keine Musik für die breite
Masse sondern vielmehr für die Leute, die zuhören, die sich ihren
Emotionen ergeben und die in der Lage sind in fremde Welten abzutauchen um
sich dort in ihnen zu verlieren, kurz gesagt: Musik für Liebhaber.
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Michael
Kuhlen (Obliveon)
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Tuesday, December 1, 2009
BEST
OF 2009: JAHRTAL - William Blake - Lieder Von Unschuld Und Widerfahren
So,
over the next posts I shall include my 10 favourite albums released this year
(in no special order). Of course, this month can appear albums that may added to
that list and, over next year, I should find more gems from 2009. OK, we're
entering into the magical season of the year, so here are my gifts.
If
"Lichtbuch", the first album by Jahrtal, was one of the best surprises
of 2007, this is one the best albums of 2009, not only in the folk and related
genres.
"William Blake" is divided in two parts, corresponding to the parts of
the most famous William Blake book of poetry - "Songs of Innocence &
Songs of Experience". The first part brings to mind the most tender side of
In Gowan Ring and Vashti Bunyan. It is like a collection of lullabies with many
instruments used (personally, I love the sound bowed psalltery). The second part
is a bit darker, naturally, but as good as the first.
This is very calm folk music. Ideal for a world full of noise.
Posted by Alchemical Music
Jahrtal - William
Blake: Lieder Von Unschuld Und Widerfahren.
"William
Blake - Lieder Von Unschuld Und Widerfahren" is the title of the new
JAHRTAL album that saw daylight when the actual daylight started to surrender
for the ninth time this millennium.
You don't have to think long before you understand that these songs Ewald and
Christine recorded this time, are somehow based upon the works of William Blake.
The album has 10 song; 10 Blake-poems, translated into German by Ewald himself.
The songs are divided into two parts, the Unschuld (Innocence) and the
Widerfahren (Experience) part.
Music-wise,
JAHRTAL's psychedelic take on German neofolk continues. And I have a hard time
trying to say something about this album that I didn't already say about
"Lichtbuch" (2007). It's comfortable, mellow, warm and true, without
ever being utterly unique nor very original. It's a bit of IN GOWAN RING and a
bit of FORSETI, acoustic guitars, flutes, sitars and drones in perfect harmony
with Ewald's natural, and Christine's angelic, vocals. It moves from minor, to
major, but is neither extremely dark or euphoric.
My humble analysis might give you the impression of an every-day-album, but this
is, listen closely now, a damn strong release, despite the lack of originality
and all.
I sometimes
miss a couple of things from "Lichtbuch", like the long, dreamy
instrumentals, but instead, we get some very catchy choruses this time. I also
miss an instant hit, (let me refer to "Wilhelm von Winsburg"), but in
exchange we get more than a handful above-average, bordering to wonderful tracks,
making this album a more even listening experience, like the neofolk song
"Nacht", that could be compared to a more mature and experienced
DARKWOOD (or any other guitar based German neofolk). It starts with a sitar,
which immediately sets a certain mood that I really fancy, but later takes a
guitar turn, and it's something striving over the whole song. Mighty.
Out of the
brighter, more easy going song, I'd like to put "Das Hallende Grün"
in the spotlight. A wonderful, laid back melody, very nice instrumentation, a
warm mood, and Ewald's voice, that is so easy to bring to your heart. And even
though you might not know a tad German you will still believe every word he
sings. But I'm sure you'll find your own personal favourites in this collection
of 10 tracks of fine folk balladry.
Recommended primarily for those who has taken interest in JAHRTAL before,
secondarily for fans of German neofolk and in third place to anyone else with an
ear, and a heart, open for true and natural acoustic music.
Markus
Eriksson (The Shadows Commence)
Review: Jahrtal
– William Blake – Lieder Von Unschuld Und Widerfahren (2009)
artist: Jahrtal
release: William Blake – Lieder Von Unschuld Und Widerfahren
format: CD
year of release: 2009
label: Ahnstern
duration: 57:57
detailed info: discogs.com
Austrain Ewald Spiss and his project
Jahrtal has been active the past year in developing his own
take on alternative folk, resulting in the release of several albums recently.
One of them is this one, released by Ahnstern, a setting of
ten poems by William Blake from Songs of Innocence and
Experience.
In terms of style, Spiss remains quite close to the
German neofolk from around the turn of the millennium like Orplid
and Forseti. This means an emphasis on calm, fingerpicked
acoustic guitar melodies, soft male and female vocals, and the addition of
support instruments like flute and fiddle here and there. Jahrtal
adds to this a pleasant touch of Indian instruments in some places.
The problem with this kind of neofolk is that it runs
the risk of becoming kitschy at times, like a number of other German genres.
On the whole, the music on this album is somewhat tame, seeming to express in
sound only the first stage of Blake’s lyrical diptych. The strong contrast
between Unschuld and Widerfahren could have been emphasised more strongly with
a twist in the music halfway, with a more satisfactory result.
That said, the music is very relaxing, and Spiss’
translations of the poems are very elegant. As such, this is an album that
will please enthusiasts of this particular calm and pastoral neofolk style, as
well as those who collect musical settings of Blake’s writings.
Reviewed
by O.S. (Evening Of Light)
Jahrtal
“William Blake“
(Ahnstern/Steinklang)
Der
romantische Dichter und Maler William Blake war seit jeher Inspirationsquelle für
viele Musiker. Unvergessen ist in diesem Zusammenhang Ulvers “The Marriage Of
Heaven And Hell“, das zuhöchst bombastisch und pathetisch war. Die
Neofolk-Formation Jahrtal hält es hingegen einfacher. Bandchef Ewald Spiss
liebt Blakes Gedichte, weshalb er sie vertonte. Also übersetze er dessen Verse
ins Deutsche und machte aus den Texten folkloristische Balladen. Meist genügen
Akustikgitarre, Sitar und Streicher, um die naturromantischen Zeilen stilvoll zu
inszenieren. Bedächtig und kraftvoll intoniert der Tiroler Blakes gedankentiefe
Texte, die sich sehnsuchtsvoll gen Horizont ausbreiten. Spiss haucht den Wörtern
einen transzendenten Odem ein, was ein wenig an In Gowan Ring erinnert.
Vogelstimmen und Flöten unterstreichen die romantisch-verträumte Note dieser
verhaltenen Aufnahme. In der Stille liegt die Kraft.
Schäfer (Zillo
Magazin)