Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Rock, Acoustic | Heft: eclipsed Nr. 160 / 5-2014, Jahrgang 2014 | VÖ-Jahr: 2014 | Wertung: 8/10 | Label: In-akustik | Autor: AT
Already with their self-titled debut from 1971 Epitaph set accents in the blossoming Krautrock scene. Twin guitars, compositions that appealed to international standards and a lot of feeling inspired numerous fans and musicians. After the split in the eighties and the very long break, they decided on the next extraordinary move, which set them apart from "oldie bands": not to chum up to the zeitgeist, but to cultivate their own tradition consistently. The album "Remember The Daze" from 2007 showed this especially, and also on the new longplayer the group does something different than others. With "The Acoustic Sessions" they set themselves apart from other "unpluggers": Never before have acoustic guitars sounded so forceful and melodic, and although they represent the central element, the sound image of the guest contributions by violinist Tim Reese and pianists Agnes Hapsari Retno and Klaus Henatsch exceeds the level of conventional acoustic records. The newly arranged debut number "Early Morning" is introduced by a wonderful violin that transports the essence of the song. "Another Bloody Day" by "Dancing With Gosts" works through the skilful percussion - another style element of the record -, the skilful picking, the acoustic bass and the powerful vocals. But "All Along The Watchtower"? Actually a piece that Hendrix's interpretation says should be taboo! However, Epitaph succeeds in shifting this into a hymnic, rocking dimension, which so far only a Frank Marino has succeeded in doing. Exciting versions of classics such as "Outside The Law" or the "Evergreen" "Woman" as well as "Summer Sky" also verify the thesis that a composition only proves to be weatherproof if it also exists in acoustic form. Conclusion: offensive, playful, dreamy - epitaph float in the sky of silvery guitar sounds and present atmospheric sound panoramas.
Top track: Woman
