Spinvis issued his
first album more than 11 years ago and many were pleasantly moved by the sound
of his tunes. The most interesting fact was that he ‘assembled’
all of the songs on his own in the attic of his house. At that time, he had no
public musical background and he held up the image of an all average, boring type
making at the same time apparently brilliant music. In the years he has
developed his music making, but throughout his albums always has kept the
signature to his songs.
Here’s the first
single of his 2011 release ‘Tot Ziens Justine Keller’ (Goodbye Justine Keller),
named ‘Kom Terug’ (Come Back). What I find most fascinating is that the apparent
simple songs come across as so touching. Simple here means no complex chord
schemes or virtuoso play of instruments. It’s the skill of giving his songs a
certain sound that lifts them and while not a brilliant singer, the lines add a
dimension too, in form and in meaning, when you’re able to understand the
language. That sound, again, may come from him fabricating the songs together
on his very own. While performing them on stage with a band.
Spinvis is a very
special one in the landscape of Dutch music, as not to say unique. Therefore I
need to share this one, if it’s only for being one of the more accessible songs
of his and inviting for more to listen.
