Achim Reichel
Raureif

Achim Reichel is an unusual character, surrounded by an aura of charm, almost of mystery, an outsider, a lone traveler who has charted his own course through the decades; oh, and also an excellent songwriter and charismatic performer, but that goes without saying, otherwise I wouldn't be here talking about him. Originally from Hamburg, at the beginning of his career, he presented himself as one of many "children of his time", beat in the '60s, kraut-electro-avant-garde in the early '70s, then the turning point: from 1975 onwards, an atypical folksinger career, an eclectic and theatrical reworker of ancient traditions. Commercial success? Very little, only one hit in 40 years, this "Aloha Heja He" from 1991, very much in line with the sounds of the album reviewed here, but a comfortable niche as a cult artist, in which he evidently feels very much at home.

And so, "Raureif", 2015 (the magical 2015 recently passed), the now seventy-one-year-old Achim Reichel delivers a masterful demonstration of class. Let's be clear, without too many preliminaries: all the elements are there to speak of a masterpiece, for the songs but above all for the choice of sounds, the atmospheres, the sensations it conveys. A listen that "fills", that leaves a mark; for many reasons, but fundamentally because it is something unique. Adventurous, piratical, simply different, "Raureif" unfolds in a fascinating and impeccably conceived plot of folk sounds, in a wide range of sounds: the winning feature is precisely the sense of completeness and attention to every minute detail that it manages to convey, combined with a determined, bold, original, and characterful spirit. A perfect combination, and moreover, a thick, baritone, staged, and theatrical voice as much as needed. A voice like an old sea wolf, which makes songs like "Dolles Ding" even more iconic, with a hint of rum and a marching, immediate pace of an authentic sea shanty, and a wonderful ballad like "Reise, Reise (Die Segel Der Erinnerung)", whose twilight melancholy explodes into a powerful choral refrain; a masterpiece of romance, in the original sense of the term.

Latin, Caribbean rhythms, blues-rock, country, the album continuously takes on new shades, engaging the listener in an exciting and surprise-filled journey, from the boisterous and festive rhythms of "Ole Pinelle" to the liquid and visionary folk, with blues-psychedelic twists of a "Halluzination" in many aspects almost Dylanesque; from the guitar-organ hammond duets of an explosive "Der Harte Kleine Schnelle" to the haunting and rhythmic indolence of "In Der Hangematte", an ideal soundtrack for a journey through the treacherous calm of the proverbial Sargasso Sea, highlighting an important stylistic trait of the album, namely the constant presence of choirs and counter-songs, which perfectly accentuate the atmospheres presented each time. And then the calypso rhythms that pervade simple, almost whispered ballads like "Sternschnuppen", an enchanting lullaby, or the more melancholic "Marianna", not forgetting the relaxed bright reggae of "Halt Die Welt An". "Der Abschiedsbrief" closes with a sober reinterpretation in a folk key of a famous classical melody (forgive me, but I cannot connect the title to the author), with which he takes his leave almost on tiptoe, with impeccable class and style. A bit of a pirate and a bit of a gentleman, our Achim Reichel.

Then there's "Junge Goetter"... "Junge Goetter" is a drug, simply. Fiddle + accordion = beautiful things, add three minutes of irresistible melody, an histrionic and charismatic voice, and, well, you find yourself listening to it on loop for X consecutive times, I can't say exactly how many. And this is a bit of a "shame", because it almost distracts attention from the rest of the album, which is a splendid work of great musical craftsmanship, discovered with the usual combination of fortune and intuition. In some respects, "Raureif" reminds me very much of "Sparks Of Ancient Light" by Al Stewart; it is a comparison solely related to my feelings, to my experience as a listener and nothing more: completely different artists, different aims, the same mood of adventurous exploration, vintage sounds and consummate class; "old" outsiders who have managed to preserve their identity, even at the risk of ending up on the fringes of the business. True winners, in my view.