JANGLE ON!

Summer 2018

by Eric Sorensen

As I mentioned in my May column, after two decades of long-distance correspondence, I finally got to meet Horst-Peter Schmidt (the Crown Prince of 12-String) in person in his home city of Cologne, Germany.  My wife and I enjoyed spending the afternoon with Horst-Peter and his wife Uta.  Horst-Peter and I are kindred spirits when it comes to the Byrds, Roger McGuinn and Byrds-inspired music.  Our wives discovered that they are kindred spirits when it comes to being the spouses of Byrds enthusiasts!

I am pleased to announce to Pop Geek Heaven readers that Horst-Peter’s band, Starbyrd, has just released its latest disc – Back In the USA.  The album is Schmidt’s musical homage to his first visit to the U.S. Northeast coast.  Although Starbyrd is strongly influenced by the music of the Byrds and other 60s folk-rock artists, Schmidt weaves elements of other music genres into his songs.  The snappy title track has a surf music/Beach Boys vibe that reminds me a bit of “Holiday Road” from National Lampoon’s Vacation … and invites comparisons to the Beatles’ satirical “Back In The USSR.”  Schmidt’s recognizable chiming Rickenbacker 370RM 12-string provides the foundation for the next three mid-tempo tunes “Indian Summer,” “Peggy’s Cove” and “Portland Rain.”  The middle of these three songs mentions a shipwreck, and could easily be mistaken for one of the sea shanties that Roger McGuinn favors.

“Freedom Trail” chronicles the composer’s walking tour through historic Boston, with reference to the American Dream.  “Back In Big Apple” is an enchanting acoustic ballad about entering New York harbor at 6 AM.  Schmidt re-engages his Rickenbacker guitar’s compressor on “In The Jungle” – his metaphorical description of New York City from a foreigner’s perspective.  “Brooklyn Bridge,” Schmidt’s observations while walking across the bridge, employs the use of keyboards.   “Let’s Make A Deal” represents Horst-Peter’s take on a certain politician who is now President.  The next to last track, “A Walk In Central Park,” has a strong Dylanesque feel to it.  “My Last Goodbye” – with lyrics about leaving New York – is a Rickenbacker-infused haunting farewell that evokes memories of “Homeward Bound” and “America” by Simon and Garfunkel and the bittersweet emotions of “Honolulu City Lights” by the Beamer Brothers.  Although I have made a number of musical references to other artists in describing the songs on Back In The USA, these references in no way diminish the originality of the radio-friendly tunes that Schmidt and Starbyrd continue to compose and record.

Horst-Peter Schmidt has been a lifelong student of English and American literature.  Schmidt has visited the United States many times before, but this first visit to the Northeast resulted in a musical chronicle of observations. We all have choices when we reach for CDs to provide us with musical entertainment.  Baby Boomers and younger fans of folk/rock should be grateful that we have a myriad of Starbyrd and Horst-Peter Schmidt discs to hum along with.  Back In The USA is just the latest installment from a gifted singer/songwriter/musician who finds inspiration in both the ordinary and the extraordinary.  The “Crown Prince of Twelve-String” makes his journey our journey, and it becomes a richer experience by being shared.

I am also pleased to mention that Horst-Peter is involved in yet another recording project (more details will be forthcoming) and he is a member of a cover band – the Roaring Sixties – that now plays clubs and private events in the Cologne area.  Long may you run, Sir Horst-Peter!

Until next time, jangle on!

ERIC

Click HERE to go to CDBaby to check out “Back in the USA”