Search - Ulla Meinecke :: Erst Mal Gucken, Dann Mal Sehen

Meinecke's Best

Nick Nalepa | Greenville, SC, USA | 09/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Learning to speak German? Just curious about what German music is actually about? Well, have a listen to "Erst Mal Gucken, Dann Mal Sehen" (First Look, Then You See). This is a brilliant album that was on the front of a musical shift out of the "Deutsche Welle" period of the early '80s in Germany, the time of Falco's "Rock Me Amadeus" and Nena's "99 Luftballons". It is a far more mature and musically rich sound that Ulla is creating here. The music is difficult to describe-- Perhaps a clumsy metaphor like "Ulla is a German Carly Simon" would suffice, were it not for the more dramatically sensuous flair and camplete lack of the Simon-esque tendency to slip into sugar-coated, feel-good songs or self-indulging sadder but wiser ballads. Part smooth jazz vocal, part pop beat, with a mix of rock and roll here and there, Ulla's unique musical style remained decidedly popular through the '90s in Germany and probably will go beyond 2000 if the artist chooses to continue. This earlier work is still one of her best, a personal favorite of mine and, may I say? An excellent choice!"