JERRY BERKERS

Unterwegs is among the least known albums signed on the legendary Pilz (Popol Vuh, Wallenstein, Witthuser & Westrupp...). Recorded at Dieter Dierks studio with Rolf Ulrich Kaiser at the production, I was waiting for my dose of weird kosmische krautrock, however after one listening, I must confess that Unterwegs is slightly disconcerted. Jerry Berkers who worked on several super krautrock projects (Sergius Golowin...) here delivers a very personal solo effort that oscillates between gorgeous melancholic acid ballads and bizarre eccentric country folk compositions. The result is rather inequal. The musical team is made of friends and old musical partners as the keyboardist Jurgen Dollase (Wallenstein) who delivers a great work here (emotional, poetical, classical piano lines), Walter Westrupp, Bill Barone (Wallenstein). The opening track is a powerfully emotional, plaintive progressive rock piece with sumptuous keyboards, sad vocals and charming folk accents. The best composition of Unterwegs with reminiscence of Wallestein at their most melodic moments. Glaub mir is a funny country folk song, but almost without interest. Es wird morgen vorbei sein is a solid, catchy prog rockin' ballad with a really nice groove and always impressive keyboards, soulful plaintive vocals. Dafur lebe ich nur is an acoustic ballad featuring dreamy- like mellotron, efficient simplistic melodies, acoustic guitars & percussions. The ambience is pastoral with a discreet cosmic-psych flavour. Grauer Bettler is a dynamic rockin' song with the great Bill Barone on the guitars. Ich Klage An is a moody, fragile little acoustic folk ballad with really desperate vocals (includes Walter Westrupp as guest on Harmonica). Nothing really impressive excepted two or three tracks but a pleasant listening with touching nostalgic kraut-folky moments.