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Baueresque

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Bouillabaisse of BrillianceLibitz in a CarA Renegade CopCubicleThe Record MachineThin White LineIt’s Getting BetterLife’s a BreezeOpen AirA Bird Called FishSwagClimbing TreesDoctor in LoveEverything After All

Baueresque

ouillabaisse of Brilliance

We ran along the riverside, we hid inside a shed in the trees where we stayed overnight.The moon would slowly dim the lights and put a silver spark in our eyes.The darkness is fading, but all that I feel just seems so surreal.

Away from home, we’re here at last on mouldy stones and slippery fields in a tale from the past.I grew along with you alright upon a field where flowers were facing the sun side by side.

The hours are passing it’s not what it seems in brilliant dreams.We slept nearby the lake, you promised me to stay, save me from worries that keep me awake.

Composed, arranged & performed by Berend and Sonja. Lyrics by Sonja. Harpsichord by Rafael, recorded on a summer day in june 2003. Standup Bass by Gert-Jan Blom. Mellotron sounds ‘Male Choir’ and ‘Cello’.

Libitz in a CarLibitz in a car, excited but a little tense. Once you’ve got the skills going up the hills, test-driving through the neighborhood.Libitz in a car, it takes a little common sense.Once you’ve got the feel of the steering wheel, test-driving through the countryside.

Speed up, I’m rolling the windows down!Look around, testdriving through the country.No-one can stop me from heading South, sing out loud: “Test-driving you cross-country!”

Living in a car will give a lot of confidence.Once you leave the state of your licence plate, test-driving through the countryside.Sleeping in a car, don’t cause another accident.Better keep the map open on your lap, test-driving you cross-country.

Speed up I’m rolling the windows down!Look around, test-driving through the country.No-one can stop me from heading South,(No-one can stop this car from moving!) sing out loud: “Test-driving you cross-country!”

Instrumental track by Berend. Vocal melody & lyrics by Sonja. Arranged & performed by Berend and Sonja. Outro by Nestor D’Alessandro (El Disco Cordo de Petete).

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A Renegade CopThere’s not a soul aroundAnd with her heels she makes a clicking soundStepping out of the light with a frownHe’s in quite a stateWhen it turns out to be that renegadeShooting stars at the top watch that cop!Roaming the fast New Jersey streetsLooking for relatives in needWatch how the spark of life goes vagueThat’s what it takesLoaded and packed with silver seedsHe was a classic underneathSplitting the road that never endsThat’s where he stands.

Instrumental track by Berend. Vocal melody & lyrics by Sonja. Arranged & performed by Berend and Sonja. Mellotron sound ‘French Horn’. A couple of bottles were smashed. A stock rmp 78 record was used for the outro and then smashed.

CubicleThe sunny half of his picture palace had girlie eyes of lurid looks bubbled and squeeked around noontime. Jimmy’s monsters and raging demons, the reading of the spare card’s got mind over matter combined. His recent novel on world domination

got bad reviews but excellent genuine money worth points. Birds and lobsters fought cobwebbed warfare, the reading of their relations conquered and credited zero. A thousand headlines, a million futures careful concealed in a blisterpacked uncertain future. A weird invader chased milky mountains, dum dee dum dum dum. A weird invader climbed milky mountains, turned men into women and scuffled around like a mood swing. Hal Roach’s night-bar the Foothill Forest, a small honeybear they christened Pete Sherman Goliath. What’s another year of scavenging night-bars?

Composed, arranged & performed by Berend. Lyrics by Berend.All sounds except drums and piano by a Minimoog D series.

The Record MachineAlone in my room, by myself, playing the record machine. It’s no fun.When the blue sky is grey.I sure hope that Sunday will stay a SUNday.

Composed, arranged & performed by Berend. Lyrics by Berend.Applause by a group of record collectors at a record fair.

Thin White LineFriday after work when driving home I saw you passing me by at the 2nd turn left, you were driving past.Only caught a glimpse of your face from aside It didn’t seem to have changed after all this time. The years gone by.

Strange, to see that friendship can simply end up being strangers again, and crossing roads without noticing.Strange, we’re still connected it’s all reflected in the dreams that we’ve always captured.The thin white line that tracked us down.

I went back to a place where our picture was taken, I found the spot in the sun in the very same frame or just beyond.This is a view that is never changing, I still feel some kind of a link to what happened here, it’s closer than you think!

If I could take you back to the times we’ve had would we still be making the same mistakes? Wouldn’t we be laughing at the thought of us ever ending up like that.(Everybody tells me I love you)

Strange, to see that friendship can simply end up being strangers again, and crossing roads without noticing.Strange, we’re still connected it’s all reflected in the dreams that we’ve always captured.The thin white line that tracked us down.

Composed by Sonja. Arranged and performed by Berend andSonja. Lyrics by Sonja. Mellotron sounds: ‘3 violins’ and ‘Celeste’. A lyrical snippet from The Divine Comedy’s ‘Everybody Knows (Except You)’ was borrowed.

It’s Getting BetterIt’s getting slower, it’s getting deeper through the passing of the years.I’m getting tied up, once the bowl of life was full.You’re getting locked in, while the sleep of kids creep in.She’s full of feelings, like the ones she kept within.

I wasn’t sure about letting you be second best but –But then again I wasn’t really playing fair.The confirmation of the duo’s getting handclaps.

It’s getting slower, it’s getting deeper through the passing of the years.

It’s getting better, it’s getting deeper, It’s going faster. Once this life was full.

Composed & arranged by Berend. Performed by Berend and Sonja. Lyrics by Berend. Strings by Ronald Venster, Leslie Verweij, Dirk Weesper & Stan Verhoeven. Harp by Jen Connelly.

Life’s a BreezeUnderneath the starry moonlightlies a beam of sunlightSitting there and wondering why the day is almost over find a morning cloverWith this proof of nature’s wonder Life’s a breeze, free and ease,the day to seize

Sometimes life is nothing but a dragJust put some clothes into a saddlebagSomehow, tried to get it off my chestis there a chance that I can get a rest?Wait until the worst is overMove along and find that clover

Move on, heading for the other sidewhere all the bees and bugs will be my guideSomewhere, we will end up to arisewhere nature turns us into butterfliesWait until the time is overMove along and find that clover

It takes a second to grow olderJust get it done and off your shoulders

Composed, arranged & performed by Berend and Sonja. Lyrics by Berend and Sonja. Saxophones by Wil Jasper.

Open AirDo you mind not being part of this just underline whatever score it is tokeep the frame on a worn-off signof importance but recovering took a while.Would you dare resisting gravity in open airI didn’t mean to sound like Linda Blairshe was such a scareAlways moaning, saying: “Life is so unfair!”

I made you an offer you couldn’t refuse a friend. Like no other, you know what it’s like to depend. Getting ready, I’m skipping the part where we’re meant to be happy.We’d better not pretend.

Could you fly (don’t look before you dive)and be adventurous once in your life. (Breathe in when you arrive) And stretch a fantasy into the sky (don’t get your hopes up high) get your hopes up high, nothing matters but it’s always worth the try.

Composed by Sonja. Arranged & performed by Sonja, Berend and Frank van Praag. Lyrics by Sonja. Frank played guitar. Mellotron sound: ‘Flute’. ‘Bugs ‘n’ bees’ choir by Berend.

A Bird Called FishStop hitting, supposing, we’re kidding that’s a pretty start.Stop kidding, annoying, destroying every single heart.

Lisa on the bus bought a ticket to the top didn’t know what else was coming up.

The bird is gone, she’s moving on fasterwith Bleeding Gums catch up with the masterShe’s breaking news, she knows what she’s after, she plays the blues then bursts into laughter collecting scoops with fruity loops.

Now she understands what affection could have meantShe was only looking for a bandAlthough it happened along the wayCome out and play.

The bird has lungs, she’s moving on fasterwith Bleeding Gums catch up with the masterShe’s breaking news she knows what she’s after, she plays the blues then bursts into laughter, collecting scoops with fruity loops.

I used to be a disbelieverThis life is killing meI woke up with minimal feelings today.

Stop hitting, supposing we’re kidding that’s a pretty start,Stop kidding, annoying destroying every single heart.

Composed by Sonja. Arranged & performed by Sonja, Berend & Frank van Praag. Lyrics by Sonja. Guitar by Frank. Drums by Wim Kwakman. Hohner Chromatic Bass Harmonica and Fender Precision Bass by Gert-Jan Blom. A song about Lisa Simpson.

SwagI work hard to get me all the stuff I want.Pile it up. While it sits, I’m getting off to no-where. Buying more. For no use, I used to run and lay there all day long.

Got it on myself to blame

I work hard to get me all the stuff I want.Pile it up. While it sits, I’m getting off to no-where. Buying more. For no use, I used to run and lay there all day long.

Composed by Berend. Arranged & performed by Berend and Sonja. Lyrics by Berend. Male Choir by Berend. Flutes by Sandra van Hamel. Drums by Wim Kwakman. Mellotron sound ‘3 Violins’. A song about compulsive shopping.

Climbing TreesThis is how you remember metowards the top, climbing up a tree.Looking down, there’s only leavesand a constant breeze floating over me.This is how I remember youan empty street we are passing through.Accidentally I’m touching you and the next I know:we are shaking hands, you’re introducing me to friends but that’s OK with me.

This is how I would like to bewith a long last love travelling overseas.In the end you will agreewith the consequence to marry me.This is how you will become, you’re straight and strong.While we are serving drinks to everyone who stops and thinksthey’ll get away with that.

Somebody waits for you to come aroundIf some of these words are too profoundthen there’s a way for everyone.Am I coming on too strong?Does forever sound too long to be the only one?

Dedication has begun, leave the dishes there, undone, there’s a day for everyone.So this is where you want to bethe perfect spot in a different scene.Pages blank, the air is clean, no counterplot in a happy dream.

This is where I want to stay, but I guess that day,we were standing close to all the things that were supposed to be arranged by now.

I spent some time climbing treesfor once in my life I was up there to be seenI’m getting tired of climbing treesonce in a while it all comes back to me.

Composed by Sonja. Arranged & performed by Sonja and Berend. Lyrics by Sonja. Mellotron sounds ‘Flute’ and ‘Cello’.

Doctor in LoveBoy, getting to where it’s at is a long search!Doctor in love, who is above, all others close to you.Is it the queen? Is it obscene? Tell me, I want you to.Lady be good, I wish you would, meanwhile exclusively, have I the right to print in spite, the point being the question and the question being he.

Did you impale my heart? Make my sight blurred.Unless of course you feel, confrontations are real.

Slow down you move too fast, you got to make the morning last but you’rekicking down the cobblestones, looking for fun and feeling groovy.Did you impale my heart? Make my sight blurred.Unless of course you feel, confrontations are real.

Composed by Berend. Arranged & performed by Berend and Sonja. Lyrics by Berend. Mellotron sound ‘Flute’ and ‘Cello’.A lyrical snippet from Gilbert O’Sullivan’s ‘Houdini Said’ was borrowed and returned. A lyrical snippet from Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Feeling Groovy’ was borrowed but not yet returned.

Everything After AllIsn’t it strange how the raindrops are dripping away?And it seems like it’s spelling your name.Like a star on a bright sunny dayIt seems actually closer, but hey!We’re all indulgent to change,And everything seems to remain the same.

Just arrived from a place I recallThat was stored in my mind after allIt was anything but laughableIt’s an awkward occasion, but hey!We’re all indulgent to fameBut only a few of us have the brains.

Lalala lalala lalala lalalalalala lala...

We’re all indulgent to change,And everything seems to remain the same.

Composed by Sonja. Arranged & performed by Berend and Sonja. Lyrics by Sonja. Mellotron sound ‘3 Violins’.

Baueresque was recorded between July 2001 & August 2003 at the Bauer studio, Amsterdam. Additional drumrecordings were made in January 2003 at Studio Sound Enterprise, Weesp. Produced and mixed in August and December 2003 at Studio Sound Enterprise, Weesp by Frans Hagenaars, Berend Dubbe and Sonja van Hamel. Mastered by Darius van Helfteren at Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum. All songs composed, performed and recorded by Berend Dubbe and Sonja van Hamel. All lyrics by Berend Dubbe and Sonja van Hamel.

Graphic design by Sonja van Hamel. Lithography by Image Degree Zero (with thanks to Michiel). Photo of Berend & Sonja by Raymond Taudin Chabot. Concerning the artwork used in the design, we have made every reasonable effort to locate and contact the original artists. In case of any unintentional omission, contacting the publishers is requested.

Thanks to Gert-Jan Blom, Persijn Broersen, Nienke Denekamp, Jan Dubbe, Odilo Girod, Sandra van Hamel, Frans Hagenaars, Tanna Heath, Wil Jasper, Erik de Jong, Jeroen Kleijn, Johan Kugelberg (Secret Master of Records), Wim Kwakman, Mark Lewisohn, Margit Lukács, Frank van Praag, Ferry Roseboom, Piet Schreuders and Frank van der Weij.

For all things Bauer related, please visitwww.bauer-plaza.com

op picking is a fast ’n’ furious business. Bauer were once described by an American re-viewer, curiously echoing Cold War rhetoric, as giving ‘more bang for your guilder’. Time has moved on: the very much contemporary Baueresque imparts more ping for your euro.

Any pigeon-holes are best set sensibly aside. Award winners and chart contenders, Bauer employ a fusion of styles, the ears catching a tantalising musical hotchpotch, distinctly original and yet echoing an artistic and epochal divergency from pre-rock to now, with Broadway, Hollywood and Hilversum simmering in the pot.

Baueresque reveals new dimensions to this aural ancestry. The melodic structure is em-bellished by lyrics that bewitch and bewilder, and underpinned by a distinctive keyboard sound. Several banks of them are wedged into Bauer’s broom-cupboard studio in Amsterdam.

This is the third album from the delightful queasy-listening combo. It’s the past, the present and the future, all in one disc. Press to play and let go.

—Mark Lewisohn

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