A FREE In-Store Performance by The Kruger Brothers

Saturday , December 09, 2006
03:00 pm
Location: Elderly Instruments
in-store performance (free)

The teaser (above) is from The Kruger Brothers' touching "Bettie Mae" on their 2004 album Choices. Together since 1995, this nationally-acclaimed trio is truly remarkable. We'd also try to entice you with lyrics from the driving "Della and the Dealer" or the ballad "Tennessee Stud" (where the banjo prances) on Up 18 North, but Doc Watson's words carry more weight.

Here's part of Doc Watson's praise after seeing The Kruger Brothers onstage for the first time: "Oh man!.... As the old saying goes, I was in hog heaven. I haven't heard a set of music in many a day that I enjoyed more.... I couldn't believe the work they had done on that music to put it together like that without taking away anything from the original. And their harmonies when they sing are so great!"

Basically a "bluegrass band," they also share buttery-smooth blues with an old-time touch, along with big dollops of folk-flavored country, all built on the foundation of their classical influences. Their music showcases the broad mix of cultural styles and diverse influences brought to the table by Jens [Yenz] Kruger, Uwe [Oo'vay] Kruger, and Joel Landsberg.

Swiss-born-and-bred lead vocalist and guitarist Uwe's influences range from Clapton, Garcia and Doc Watson to Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. Brother Jens took up the banjo at age 10 and five years later left home with Uwe to traverse Europe as street musicians. Bassist Joel Landsberg met them in 1995 and became the brother who brought aboard classical piano training, resulting in a stylistic mix ranging from Broadway and classical to jazz and rhythm & blues.

The Kruger Brothers proved a special treat when they first played at Elderly in 2003, and they drew a standing-room-only crowd of 80 when they graced our small showroom stage in 2005. Now we've struck it rich (musically speaking) again: they're coming through Lansing on their December tour and will sing and play once more for us! (If our holiday luck holds, maybe they'll treat us to their touching take on the classic "Peace in the Valley.")
From Stephen Foster to Flatt & Scruggs, they're spellbinding.

On Saturday evening after the mid-afternoon Elderly in-store, The Kruger Brothers are performing at Magdalena's Tea House, 2006 East Michigan Avenue (next to Emil's Restaurant, across the street from the Green Door) in Lansing. Tickets for this special concert will be on sale November 15 at Elderly and Magdalena's. [No credit cards, please.]

We'd be remiss if we didn't mention the holiday gift that keeps on giving: music! --The Kruger Brothers' latest albums, their 3-CD Carolina Scrapbook Volume 2 and/or Carolina Scrapbook Gospel Edition. Both are excellent. In addition to their own originals (like "Bettie Mae"!) and 30 or so traditional tracks, Volume 2 covers such great pieces as Merle Travis' "Guitar Rag," Tut Taylor's "Mist on the High Meadow" [with Tut playing on the CD], Ian Tyson's "Summer Wages," Si Kahn's "One Little Sip," Eric Bogle's "Leaving Nancy," and Jimmie Rodgers' "Peach Picking Time in Georgia." Whether playing live or in the studio, these fellows are fantastic.

Happy Holidays!

Check out recordings we carry featuring The Kruger Brothers