GANKINO CIRCUS have released their third album, "The Potpourri of Lord Baron von Gunzenhausen," which they have presented and will continue to present at various concerts throughout the republic.
I got to know the Franconian combo when I just wanted to see which band would warm up for the Kings of Humppa, Eläkeläiset, at Astra der Meute. The first songs quickly made the band so interesting that I organized the CD to not only listen to it in my quiet little room but also to introduce it to the readership of ramtatta.de, so that the band will soon have even more fans and friends.
GANKINO CIRCUS from the Franconian province, between Dietenhofen and Ornbau, have set themselves the goal with this album to bring Baron von Gunzenhausen back into the public eye. The brief outline of this man's life reads as follows:
Lord Baron von Gunzenhausen was a truly unique figure in the German nobility landscape. Driven by an insatiable zest for life, the Franconian baron kept an exceedingly grotesque court for his amusement and often neglected his official duties for months on end. He had an incredible enthusiasm for fast music, intricate dance, the tales of good storytellers, as well as a thirsty preference for red wine, Franconian brewing art, and the charm of young men in colorful women's clothing.
The Baron von Gunzenhausen essentially invented hedonism in the Middle Ages and simultaneously lived a tolerance that, unfortunately, is still not a given today.
The four musicians of GANKINO CIRCUS have selected twelve songs from the pen of the Baron and set them to music with accordion, mini-drums, bass clarinet, saxophone, vocals, and various other instruments. The result is a piece of music that wants to be listened to, discovered, and loved.
The stylistic range of the album moves from swing, Seed-like songs, Balkan beats, punk, spoken word, pop hits, quirky ideas to seemingly improvised sessions. A mix that is quirky and challenging. Firstly, because you don't hear this every day, and secondly, because each song is different, making it hard for me to highlight one song as particularly successful or outstanding. Each song, when considered on its own, has so much that one could fill pages about it, and an aspiring music journalist could approach this album on a scientific basis.
Have fun with it. It's not an easy task, but you grow from your challenges.
Something very special is "Kerwa Lieder" (Kerwa, Franconian for church consecration). While listening, I think to myself, what crazy boys they are, but when I think of the gig at Astra as support for Eläkeläiset, I know the CD is good, but nothing compared to the show on stage. The band entertains, makes you laugh, shake your head, and marvel. Just what the guys told in Berlin in Franconian dialect about Dietenhofen justified the visit.
GANKINO CIRCUS fit well on the small art stages of this world, but even better, so to speak perfectly, they fit into the wagon fortresses of this country (of which there are far too few). This is the sound of the people, the sound of the life-loving, of those who enjoy life.
The Franconian band is something very special that requires time, as they are not a band to listen to casually. They don't want to be that; others can do that.
GANKINO CIRCUS not only have unusual music but also a lot of wordplay in their lyrics, which still resonates today, which again means that Baron von Gunzenhausen was a very special gentleman.
Those seeking the extraordinary will find it with GANKINO CIRCUS!
It should also be noted that the Franconians are socially engaged and creative in their cover design. The cover, which is completely made of wood (!), was produced by employees of Lebenshilfe Feuchtwangen. Hats off and respect, guys!
