PORTRAIT OF RASKOLNIKOV
AS A YOUNG MAN
“Raskolnikov: subdued
jazz, melancholy soul, soul-searching shanties, and baroque themes. Inner city
blues, imaginary nighttime travels through town, full of down-on-their-luck
characters, dives, unrequited love, and the inevitable morning hangover. Mark
Ritsema's songs are intense, yet fragile, and Raskolnikov are the nightflies,
buzzing through the ether. Together since 1998, the make-up of piano, contrabass,
and percussion lends a loose, almost jazzy feel to the proceedings. Think atmosphere
and depth instead of tightness and rock 'n' roll machismo. Raskolnikov's second
collection of songs, 'The Jezebel Shanty,' is a remarkable reflection of a band's
unique look on life.” (www.dutchsound.nl)
Singer/guitarist/songwriter Mark Ritsema (a.k.a. Nightporter) formed Raskolnikov
at the end of 1998. They began working as a house-band for a weekly radio talk-show
called Studio Gloria, connecting the items with jazzy improvisations, relaxed
covers and fresh songs of Ritsema that were usually rehearsed only just the
day before. Their first album ‘Studio Gloria’ (1999) presents a
moody reflection of these radio days. By 2002 Raskolnikov had become a skilled
live-act. They were involved in the founding of the organisation and label UNSOUND
that would also represent their second album. ‘The Jezebel Shanty’
was released in 2003 and was highly acclaimed by media and fans. Besides Ritsema’s
songs, the band previously covered shared favourites like Burt Bacharach and
Van Morrison on stage and on record. Because of their unique way of interpreting
and performing these songs, some of the band’s closest fans requested
Raskolnikov to record their personal favourites. This album consists of the
first part of this request: six songs that were picked out by six individuals
who also financed the studio time. It was recorded live on one long and inspiring
day at the UNSOUND headquarters in Hoorn.
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RASKOLNIKOV:
Mark Ritsema - lead vocals, guitar, piano (6)
Chris Grem - piano, guitar (6)
Peter Jessen - double bass
Ron de Bruyn - drums
With:
Jeroen Tenty - string ensemble (1, 4)
Wouter Hakhoff - trumpet (2, 5)
Dean & The MI5 Gay Scouts - background vocals (3)
Produced by Raskolnikov, Jeroen Tenty and Jean-Paul van Mierlo
Recorded at MI5 Studios (Hoorn) by Jeroen Tenty on 29 April 2005
Mixed and mastered at MI5 Studios
by Jeroen Tenty on 26 and 27 August 2005
Pictures Raskolnikov and artwork by Jean-Paul van Mierlo
Thanks: Rients Bootsma, Germ Berkenbosch, Lau Mijnders, Tako Runia, Frans
Ruiter, Eric Lensink, Jules Otto
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- MP3 DOWNLOADS:
1.
Love Thieves, 6.02 / 2.
Solitary Man, 4.20 / 3.
Remembering, 4.52 / 4.
Atmosphere, 4.55 / 5.
A Close Watch, 3.33 / 6.
Heroin, 9.43
- FRONT COVER
- BACK COVER
- DISC
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MORE DOWNLOADS RASKOLNIKOV ON THIS SITE AT SOUND AND VISION -