Search - Dagmar Krause :: Tank Battles:the songs of Hanns Eisler

Eisler brought up to date

J. W. Reitsma | Haarlem, the Netherlands | 05/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, up to 1988, really. But songwriting like this is both of its time and timeless. By rights, I should not be reviewing this record, since I only own the original German-language edition called 'Pantzerschlacht', issued simultaneously with a version in (mostly) English.
On this re-issue, the latter version is supplemented with a generous reprise of ten songs in German as a sort of appendix. However, on the basis of those ten tracks alone and in the knowledge that the same inventive, fresh arrangements by Greg Cohen (more commonly known as a sideman of Tom Waits and John Zorn) are used on the English-language version, I can confidently encourage anyone who thinks that classically-trained singers are usually ineffective in the Brecht-Weill repertoire, and who senses that it must be possible to do it justice, to sample this take on the more politically militant if equally humane Hanns Eisler. Krause has an expressive voice and expert delivery that is eminently suited to this socially and politically aware repertoire. Some songs are all fired up and energetic with militant drums and electric guitars, some are even circus-like. On some of the tragic songs (esp. the heartwrenching song of a German mother) Krause confers a quiet dignity that is extremely effective. As a consummate artist, she hits home through an expressive restraint.
And check out the backing musicians too, recruited largely from the English progressive music scene and including Alexander Balanescu, John Harle and Lindsay Cooper."