Release: Michael van Merwyk – „The Bear“ (08.05.2020

Album:  The Bear Artist:  Michael van Merwyk Genre:  Blues Kat.-Nr.:  TZ1965 Label:  Timezone (12791) Jahr:  2020 Secondly, I’d like to introduce you to a new blues album: „They call me the bear...“ sings Michael van Merwyk (MvM) with his dark and soulful voice and that ́s what comes to mind if you see and hear this big, relaxed, versatile and emotional german guitarist, lapsteel player, singer and songwriter. The 6.6“ giant calls himself a “Songster“, which is a wandering musician who plays a variety of folk songs, ballads, dance tunes and popular songs in order to make a little money.

Michael van Merwyk – „The Bear“ (08.05.2020)

MvM is a highly decorated and well established figure in the european music scene and has paid his dues on numerous tours and sessions all over Europe. Over the years he earned several awards like „Best Blues Singer“ or Best Guitarplayer“ in germany and even placed 2nd at the IBC in Memphis in 2013 as the first european Band in the long history of the award. His encounters with international greats and local heroes have led to an ever deeper understanding of blues and roots music. He played Pubs, Cafés, Bluesfestivals, Singer/Songwriter Festivals and private Parties and has always the right songs for the right occasion. It ́s always about the music and the people.

On his new CD “The Bear“ he ́s back to the Blues with stories about life ́s ups and downs and in-betweens. No matter if MvM plays on his own with his beloved old Dobro or if he ́s backed by a small band including the great Christian Dozzler on piano & harmonica, Micha Maas on drums and Tobi Fleischer on bass, there ́s always a relaxed but powerful energy in the music.

The CD starts with the sarky „Shotgun Boogie“ about the „shoot first, ask later“-mentality he experienced during a visit in Mississippi. There are lovesongs, like the kitschy, soul drenched „Sometimes Angels Come In Red“, straight blues like „It ́s Fun Beeing Cra- zy“, folk influenced tunes like „Deep Blue Sea“ and a tribute to MvM ́s favourite Slideplayer Tampa Red on his cover of „Dark & Stromy Night“. There ́s a lot of slideguitar and lapsteel on the new album - uncompromising, atmospheric and as incisive as a surgeon ́s knife. The music is a mixture of genres from all over the world with a heavy dose of Blues: „American Music – Euro Style“.

Recorded live at the Watt Matters Stu- dio in Germany with only a homeopathic dose of overdubs and effects. Just musicians in one room playing just one take for each song and the head for the next Pub. If you close your eyes you feel like one of the musicians, sitting right in the middle of the band.

More Information: 

https://www.timezone-records.com/impressum/