Kriegel, Volker
With A Little Help From My Friends
Volker Kriegel is considered the pioneering jazz-rock and fusion guitarist from Europe. 1968 was a crucial year for his career as he released 'With A Little Help From My Friends,' his first solo album, and signed with American vibraphonist Dave Pike, joining what would quickly emerge as one of the most popular and influential jazz fusion combos. This precious document, reissued for the first time by Cinedelic Jazz with bonus tracks, highlights all his qualities that enabled him to become one of the most acclaimed and innovative guitarists in European jazz. The original album included two recording sessions; Side A in Cologne and Side B in Frankfurt, with different performers. Side A as a trio with double bass and drums, and on the other with the addition of vibraphonist Claudio Szenkar. The covers performed are the two by Lennon-McCartney 'With A Little Help From My Friends' and 'Norwegian Wood,' and the traditional Brazilian 'Nana Imborô.' Added to the original album are four previously unreleased tracks of great depth recorded at the Deutsches Jazz Festival in Frankfurt in 1968: 'Teaming Up' and 'Vian-De' by Kriegel himself, 'Spanish Soul' by Szenkar and 'Nina's Dance' lasting over 9 minutes and featuring Tony Scott on clarinet and Gustl Mayr on tenor sax. Over the years, Kriegel would go on to participate in over 200 albums.