Bert Kaempfert appreciation thread (Mrs. Kaempfert sez: "Bert had a dark side")

I have to agree with Helmut: In Gemany, Horst Wende / Roberto Delgado is almost unknown to the general public. That of course does not make his musical contributions less important, but in terms of popularity, he is not only far behind Last, Kaempfert, Edelhagen or Greger, he is also far behind Strasser, Jankowski, Kuhn or even Lehn or Herbolzheimer. Wende was not obscure only in Helmut's view, he was almost invisible for the public.

 

I just love the fact that we can - and are - having this discussion here. Because I grew up with Bert's records but nobody else I've ever personally met outside of my grandparents knew or cared about him or his music. And here we are talking about Bert and all these other guys and I'm going crazy jotting down their names to get more stuff to check out. I love this place!

 

Thanks for the additional info. I'm going to look for the albums by the German artists (Strasser, Jankowski, Kuhn, Lehn or Herbolzheimer) you have mentioned but as I have said one artist may not be popular in some parts of the world but at least in the part of the world where I spent my childhood days, Horst Wende (aka Robert Delgado) was popular specially to those people with stereo equipment and to those who love Latin music.

 

Any thoughts on his last LP, "Smile"?

 

In Australia there was a 'tribute' band called The Kaempfert Zone. They were pretty big on the indie scene.

 

hello guys.........
I was surprised to get through this great thread without anyone really talking about the techniques used
to create these great early kaempfert recordings?

I can't find anything online about Polydor recording studios, tape machines used, microphones...
these are the best sonic recordings I have still ever heard.....
I have several Polydor albums, which are great fidelity with the great bass and treble response...

also should mention how great some of the 'heinje' recordings are!

particularly love 'I am your little boy'..... goosebump quality.

wish records made today had 'this' sound.

Rick

 

On page six of this topic there is info about how they acchieved their wide stereo sound. You may have overlooked that ;-)

 

yeah I did read that and thanks for pointing that out.....
would be nice to see any pictures or video of their recording sessions...
what the studio was like and mic setup/placement...
someone may have something out there ?...

Cheers, Rick

 

Your mom had great taste!

 

this guy was a huge success in the 60's, yet not much is ever said or written about him today.
so I thought I'd 'bump' his memory:

 

the original Polydor recordings are absolute Stellar! to listen to. Full range fidelity recordings. I'd love to know how they
tracked these, gear used, mic placement, tape recorders etc etc

 

oh, this Bert guy, had a part to play in the early days of a group called something like The Beatles...wiki it to find out

 

I received this today and I'm enjoying it immensely.

 

It's a nice set. Enjoy!

I've always loved that sleeve.

 

Bert was Great! Surprised really there is not a lot more talked about him. Those Polydor recordings are stella, just in production alone!

 

this is a great one to pick up too if you find it

 

I purchased "Blue Midnight - and other fabulous instrumentals" from Discogs right before Christmas, because I remember this being played around the house a lot when I was a kid. The music is great and the recording is phenomenal! Love Bert Kaempfert.

 

that's why i don't know why not more is discussed about Bert and the recordings themselves. Those Decca/Polydor records from Germany,
are totally kickass in recording techniques alone. Brilliant sonics, great production and arrangements.
a big favourite of mine.