# CD review: Volker Kriegel – Mainz Studio Recordings 1963-1969 – 2021: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2021/05/30/cd-review-volker-kriegel-mainz-studio-recordings-1963-1969-2021-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2021-05-30T23:40:27+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Born in Darmstadt, guitarist Volker Kriegel (1943–2003) was still a teenager when
he made his debut in the late 50s, at a time when the guitar was still an outsider
in the world of jazz. The instrument had few notable exponents, so it was still 
an open field when the self-taught musician from Hesse won first prizes for his 
solo performances at an amateur jazz festival in Düsseldorf. **

Südwestfunk (SWF) recorded the 19-year-old Kriegel’s debut recordings in 1963, when
he performed as part of a trio at the Deutschhaus in Mainz; the studio sessions 
at the Kammersaal Studio were made in 1969. They stand worlds apart, since the guitar
had started to carve out a niche for itself in the meantime, and Kriegel himself
had gained in self-confidence. Above all, however, he had found a counterpart in
Claudio Szenkar, who opened up perspectives not only in general terms of communication
and composition, but also specifically through Kriegel’s own instrument.

The combination of vibraphone and guitar was then still fairly new. In 1968, Kriegel
decided to make music his main profession. Thanks to With A Little Help from My 
Friends and an appearance at the German Jazz Festival in Frankfurt, he achieved 
his breakthrough into public recognition. Together with vibraphonist Dave Pike, 
bassist Hans Rettenbacher and drummer Peter Baumeister, he founded the Dave Pike
Set, which became his artistic centre for four years and a beacon combo of European
jazz rock.

 1.  Django (6:18)
 2.  Tabu (7:16)
 3.  Israel (6:05)
 4.  Blue Moon (6:48)
 5.  Polka Dots and Moonbeams (6:46)
 6.  Blues for Django (6:10)
 7.  St. Louis Blues (3:00)
 8.  Rhythm-A-Ning (3:07)
 9.  Les enfants š’ennuient le dimanche (3:54)
 10. Autumn Leaves (7:16)
 11. Three Seconds (4:17)
 12. Tea and Rum (2:37)
 13. Morandi (4:44)
 14. Don’t Wait (2:55)
 15. Half and Half (5:21)
 16. Na Na Imboro (4:54)
 17. Nyleve (3:23)
 18. Teamwork (3:06)
 19. Ten O’Clock Blues (4:45)
 20. Octopus (4:34)
 21. Connie’s Blues (8:28)
 22. Viande (4:42)
 23. Traffic Jam (4:04)
 24. Little Pear (4:47)
 25. Norwegian Wood (4:43)
 26. Five by Four (4:33)
 27. Royal Harp (3:45)
 28. Soul Eggs (5:50)
 29. Cry It Out (3:21)
 30. Noisy Silence, Gentle Noise (6:32)
 31. Somewhat, Somewhere, Somehow (5:02)
 32. Sitting on My Knees (3:23)
 33. Teaming Up (9:32)
 34. Slums on Wheels (4:26)
 35. I’m on My Way (4:11)
 36. Blue Flower (3:52)
 37. Pluns (2:56)
 38. Mother People (6:40)

![Volker Mainz - Mainz Studio Recordings (1963-1969) - NaxosDirect](https://i0.wp.
com/i.ndcd.net/13/Item/500/559197.jpg?resize=640%2C640&ssl=1)

### _Related_