The Contemporary Cowboy

What does the cowboy do at the metro station? He is playing his never ending song ... He's not one who ́s get lost, like the clichee cowboy of our naive Hollywood fantasy, he is an urban man of our times, a contemporary cowboy. Just like the life of a cowboy is diverse and full of variations, the music of the 5th Ensemble Du Verre album isn't just based on one style, but it is a powerful statement about the urge to do your own thing, just like a cowboy, the man with "True Grit". The polarity of a cowboy's life, nature, big city life, always on the move yet homeward bound, he lives without compromise, it matches his lifestyle, his passions. All that can be found in the music of this record and is expressed through traditionally played acoustic instruments, electronic programming, strong arrangements and free improvisations, beats, sounds and melodies that go straight to the ears. To those who can't imagine all that the video of the title track "The Contemporary Cowboy", which will be released in September, is highly recommended. Then everything becomes clear.... Sönke Düwer, who has led the Ensemble since 2003, has put together a small group of musicians previously unrelated to the Ensemble Du Verre. Thanks to the British tenor sax player Penrose Feast the record has a strong jazzy touch and a big melodic diversity. Double bass player Marc Muellbauer from Berlin added a warm deep sound and a very special energy. With his additional creative beats and sounds drummer Oliver Sonntag from Lübeck plays an important role in the record's impressive instrumental sound. The contribution of Eden singer and the ensemble's vocal partner for many years, Ute Lorenzen, is an unearhty choir on "Seven Miles Down", while guitar player Lothar Müller from Hamburg has added an ultra modern western guitar on "All Hat And No Cuttle". This album feels like the successor of the prize-winning CD "Sanctuary For Animals" and is a manifestation of the uniquness and the independence of the composer, musician and producer, Sönke Düwer, who not only has played the drums but also all keyboards, guitars, electronics and percussion. "The Contemporary Cowboy", out on October 7th on Batterie, will be release No 15 since the label was founded in 2008. The new E.D.V. band will play several concerts beginning with the Überjazz Festival on the last Octoberweekend at Kampnagel in Hamburg.