The trouble all over again re-record, you would basically can also save. Using the old original tracks and excision of Kunzes vote at one or another point and admixing the new duet partner, would essentially give the same album. This is a bit exaggerated, granted, but the changes you have been looking for with an ear-Lupe. The arrangements, the structures (compare the song lengths original vs. remake), to guitar solos, perfectly played by the sheet. Instant recognition is guaranteed!
So is "I am" eventually become not much more than what it actually did not want to be a normal Best of Kunze album. Therefore, despite all the criticism, four stars, because the songs are good, audience tested and not without reason become hits.
Although Kunze heartfelt worshiper certainly chose another song as the best who are gathered here already essentially the significant hits (hopefully) everyone knows. And 13 years after the last coupling "Nonstop - the best ever" is a new Best of even legitimate. But as it was announced, I had promised more precisely.
The differences to the original versions ultimately depends only on the timbre of the duet partners. The farther they are vocally from Kunze, the clearer the remake emancipated from the original. Therefore, "My own way" with Achim Reichel, "The world is Pop" with a RRRammstein like the "r" rrrollenden Joachim Witt and only by virtue of his voice Soul become "If you do not come back" with Stefan Gwildis, even as profit to recorded.
And then the always die beautiful "Lisa"! In the original, then in 1984 without going through the studio's equal to the stage and onto's first live album "The cities look like sleeping dogs". Since it was a highlight, and then even more finely, poignant in the belated version of Studio 1993. Now it is just adorable! The dirty, depraved voice of Jan Plewka (Selig) in contrast to Kunzes crystal clear vocal possibilities, make this duet for supernatural experience - really big!
The other duets with Pe Werner (You are my heart) or Reinhard Mey (I'm always there for you 1) etc. stand out, due to large vocal nearby, not particularly of the old versions. Songs well - the idea of the duet charming and personable - a result good but unremarkable.
Particularly annoying is the lack of courage in "body and soul" with Julia Neigel. What can rock the woman, if you let them. And actually the intro and the musical accompaniment during the verses are here relatively strongly from the original derogation, floating. One expects great, mind the chorus stands right now from completely - denkste! It sounds as singing Julia and Heinz from relaxing by the sofa and cuddle a bit. I do not begrudge it to him, yes, but for taking both would have time to get up shortly ...
If two men "I tried," sing this unique hymn of sincere repentance, self-knowledge and the request for forgiveness, in a duet? No! And they do it well. Relieved to read already in the booklet that Heinz shuts up, plays the piano and the microphone alone Hartmut Engler leaves. Good decision, because as a vocal duet would this song lyrically not function.
Two of the fourteen songs of the disc are not old acquaintances, but entirely new songs that Kunze also sings alone. "Fair play" and the theme song "I am" are both high-caliber, wonderful numbers that mitigate the disappointment with the discouragement of new entrants well.
"I am" is a winking self-reflection, as she brings about only Kunze, lyrically and musically really great. A man on the other side of the 50 states that life, if you do not take it so seriously, is not so bad and he can actually suffer quite well located.
And "fair play", again a new composition by Heiner Lürig, a powerful ballad with courage to pathos and courage to clear per European statements, as I expect the Chancellor for months and not hear!
Excerpt: "... so that never burns this continent to itself, it takes courage from Marathon (Greece) to Berlin Vive la différence I say, no, we are not all equal, but that and that's what makes us so! rich! "
For such lines I could hug him! The differences emphasize and understand the common profit, rather than to maintain a politically correct levelness of the surface, a leveling the peoples spoils the interaction. People are not the same, whole nations even less. Europe as a political entity is a profit if we add the differences for the benefit of all and not equalize with sprawling bureaucracy, if from the political also a more tangible, erfühlbarer profit for the people is. A united Europe can not only conceived in the mind, it must arise, especially in the hearts of the people. That is the way to acceptance, and without acceptance it will never work. Without pathos can be something beyond words. (Forgive this little political digression, but currently is much trampled on the European idea that I this little plea did not resist, even though it obviously does not really belong in a record review.) The song is good in any case for European anthem!
Finally, unfortunately a resounding slap. "A hundred thousand roses", single from last year's album "The advantage of the situation" is not only not a duet, like all other remakes, it is not a remake! It is precisely the inclusion of 2011! What shoud that?
Was the studio budget exhausted? No more time? No Lust? Omit the better solution would have been anyway, so you will feel just a little verklappst.
All in all, a thoroughly likeable album, but too much on number plays it safe and unfortunately the opportunities that presented themselves artistically him not ausschöpfte.
(Note to the vinyl edition: double vinyl in the hinged cover, very good + CD, again very good, Eischubtaschen unfortunately only in white, not good, printed with lyrics would have been nice, but well, after all, for the first time HRK on vinyl since "Daredevil" (1992), as outweighs the joy!)