Album Review: Statt Zu Singen by Michael Heltau – A Folk Odyssey That Feels Like Home
You know those albums that feel like they’ve been sitting on your shelf for years, even if you just discovered them? Statt Zu Singen by Michael Heltau is one of those. Released way back in 1970 under Austria’s Preiser Records, this record isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—it’s more like it found an old, dusty wheel and gave it a soulful spin. With its mix of Folk, World, Country, and even some Non-Music vibes (yeah, I didn’t get what that meant at first either), it’s not exactly something you’d blast at a party. But man, does it have heart.
The album kicks off with "1. Teil," and honestly, this track hits different. It’s got this raw, almost storytelling vibe, like someone whispering secrets into your ear over a crackling fire. Loek Huisman’s arrangement deserves a shoutout here—it’s subtle but packs so much warmth. You can practically smell the Austrian mountains or taste the rustic charm of a village café while listening. It’s slow, sure, but it doesn’t drag; instead, it feels deliberate, as though every note has a reason to exist.
Then there's "2. Teil," which flips the mood entirely. If “1. Teil” was cozy and introspective, this one feels like stepping outside after a storm—the air is crisp, and everything seems sharper, clearer. There’s a tension in the melody that keeps you hooked, like waiting for the punchline to a joke you’re not quite sure you’ll understand. And yet, somehow, it works. Maybe it’s because Heltau knows how to let silence speak louder than words—or maybe it’s just magic I can’t explain.
What sticks with me about these tracks isn’t just their sound but how they make me feel. Listening to Statt Zu Singen feels like flipping through an old photo album where half the pictures are faded, but you still remember the stories behind them. It’s nostalgic without being overly sentimental, quirky without losing its sincerity.
Here’s the thing: I wasn’t alive when this album came out, and chances are neither were most people reading this. Yet, it feels timeless, like it belongs to no specific era. Or maybe it belongs to all eras—it’s hard to say. What I do know is that after pressing play, my cat stared at me weirdly, and I forgot what day it was for a good five minutes. So yeah, call it folk, call it world music, or heck, call it non-music—I don’t care. This album just is, and sometimes, that’s enough.
Oh, and fun fact: apparently, Loek Huisman arranged this whole thing. Who even is Loek Huisman?! Sounds like the name of a guy who owns a bakery in Amsterdam, but clearly, he had some serious talent. Props to him for making this gem happen.
So go ahead, give Statt Zu Singen a listen. Just don’t blame me if you start daydreaming about alpine hikes and schnitzel.
