Hannes Schöner - Close to me (Digipack)
Hannes Schöner - Close to me (Digipack)
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"The best is yet to come," as the saying goes. In Hannes Schöner's case, the best is here right now - in the form of a solo album richly stocked with 15 songs, which doesn't conform to any genre and spreads sheer joy of playing. While others his age (Hannes turns a tender 70 this year) are retiring or have long since retired, Schöner is turning the big wheel again.
The work is called "Close to me" and the joy begins with the cover. Hannes looks into the distance and at the same time covers his eyes with his hand. How is that supposed to work? Look at it yourself! "A married couple of artists who are friends of ours came up with this idea. We get a lot of praise for the cover because it suggests introspection (close to me) as well as foresight (looking into the distance). It definitely works brilliantly."
This also applies, and especially, to the album. For the first time, the musical thoroughbred - Schöner is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer in one - was able to implement his musical ideas "without any constraints in his head". "For years, the unwritten rule was that every song had to pass a carnival meeting. But in 2020, with the start of the Corona break and even more so after I left the Höhner, that was no longer a criterion for me. I could do whatever I wanted!" And Schöner made full use of this freedom. "Snapshots without censorship..." is what the text of "Freunde der Nacht" says, and consequently Schöner operates with numerous colors and forms - from the hoarse lament of whining lap steel guitars to polyphonic vocals to seductive pop melodies, moderate ballad temperatures, brisk boogie or tight rock rhythms. Musically, he processes experiences and memories, his love for the Beatles (»Du bist mir nah«) as well as his jazz-rock past. Hannes Schöner tells subtle love stories (»Now say goodbye,« »I won't hold you tight«) or, as in »Christmas Eve«, addresses the dementia of an old lady who wanders helplessly between precise memories and complete disorientation. Beautiful choirs (»I won't hold you tight«), gasping harmonica parts (»Das mit Dir«), small radio play-like sequences, heated saxophone (»Was war das schon«) – Schöner uses all the means at his disposal to create this clever album.
The work is called "Close to me" and the joy begins with the cover. Hannes looks into the distance and at the same time covers his eyes with his hand. How is that supposed to work? Look at it yourself! "A married couple of artists who are friends of ours came up with this idea. We get a lot of praise for the cover because it suggests introspection (close to me) as well as foresight (looking into the distance). It definitely works brilliantly."
This also applies, and especially, to the album. For the first time, the musical thoroughbred - Schöner is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer in one - was able to implement his musical ideas "without any constraints in his head". "For years, the unwritten rule was that every song had to pass a carnival meeting. But in 2020, with the start of the Corona break and even more so after I left the Höhner, that was no longer a criterion for me. I could do whatever I wanted!" And Schöner made full use of this freedom. "Snapshots without censorship..." is what the text of "Freunde der Nacht" says, and consequently Schöner operates with numerous colors and forms - from the hoarse lament of whining lap steel guitars to polyphonic vocals to seductive pop melodies, moderate ballad temperatures, brisk boogie or tight rock rhythms. Musically, he processes experiences and memories, his love for the Beatles (»Du bist mir nah«) as well as his jazz-rock past. Hannes Schöner tells subtle love stories (»Now say goodbye,« »I won't hold you tight«) or, as in »Christmas Eve«, addresses the dementia of an old lady who wanders helplessly between precise memories and complete disorientation. Beautiful choirs (»I won't hold you tight«), gasping harmonica parts (»Das mit Dir«), small radio play-like sequences, heated saxophone (»Was war das schon«) – Schöner uses all the means at his disposal to create this clever album.