Headphones #116: The Lettners and pure life

When four masters of their craft combine the best of their worlds and their highly individual personalities, it is obvious that great things can come out of it. “Dirty Roots” is a firework, a diary of life cast in 14 songs that overcomes boundaries and puts a smile of joy on the face of the lover’s suffering. The combo from Upper Austria makes you forget their origins because they sound as if they were at home in the southern states of the USA and had never played any other music than that which is cherished and nurtured between Louisiana and Tennessee.

Unpretentious, genuine, full of energy and joy in making music, without even for a moment giving the impression of paying attention to the taste of the middle – this is how Tom “Sweethard” Lettner (Bananz sings like no other) and Jörg “Honeyboy” Lettner (Mr. Brunnbauer plays the blues harp with the greatest conviction) race across the country together with HG Gutternigg and Andreas Luger.

The four men go about their work in a completely analogue way; it is a joy to see the tuba and harmonica move between laid-back guitar riffs and even more laid-back drumming. Everything has a great naturalness. Every song is worth discovering, but “Monkey Blues”, “Sweet Little Rider” and “Long Hair Woman” deserve special mention. If you don’t rave about “Dirty Roots”, then it’s your own fault or you’re just not a fan of earthy music.

The Lettners Combo “Dirty Roots”

Concert tips: 21 June CD presentation at Red Rooster Steyr; 30 June at the Woodstock of brass music in Ort im Innkreis; 4 July Klangzeit Altstadt Linz

Currently in headphones

Erwin & Edwin “That’s it”:
The folk music basis cannot be denied, but Erwin & Edwin’s Gstanzln and Polka always have a pop appeal. Apart from the quiet finale with “Miad & hinig”, the rest of the songs are usually a blast. With lyrical wit and laid-back vibes, the quintet makes you want to dance and party. With real Austrian wisdom like “Woswasi”, “Warihedi” or “IEA”.

Simon Stadler “Okay”:
The Carinthian is not recognizable by his language, but over time you recognize Udo Jürgens as his inspiration for writing his own songs. On “Okay,” the songwriter Simon Stadler also lives out his penchant for songs and lyrics that say a lot and are characterized by linguistic maturity. It’s no wonder that Konstantin Wecker wanted to get him on board for his label “Sturm & Klang.”