A balladeer
Encyclopedia
A Balladeer is a Dutch
band, originating in Amsterdam
, It was formed by singer-songwriter
Marinus de Goederen.
In 2002
, the band won the 3FM
BuZz Award and another award the following year at the final of the annual Dutch musical contest De Grote Prijs van Nederland (The Big Prize of the Netherlands). In 2004, A Balladeer opened up for international acts Saybia
and Keane and released their first EP
: 'Rumor Had It
'. The EP featured 4 songs, including the critically acclaimed They've Shut Down Marks & Spencer
, which resulted in considerable airplay in the Netherlands.
On 5 May 2006, A Balladeer's debut album titled Panama
was released by EMI Music. The single 'Swim with Sam' was the first single. It became a hit in the Netherlands. The album was recorded in Brussels
in 2005 with Bløf
producer Ronald Vanhuffel. Robert Kirby
(well-known for his work with Nick Drake
) arranged the strings for three songs. In early 2007
, the band won a Zilveren Harp
(Silver Harp), a supporting prize for promising musical artists. In February that year
, their third single was released, a ballad called Robin II.
The second album, Where Are You, Bambi Woods?, was released on August 29, 2008. The album is partly about the year the lead singer lived near Dallas, Texas
. Its title track is about the disappearance of porn star Bambi Woods
(well-known from her role in Debbie Does Dallas
).
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
band, originating in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, It was formed by singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Marinus de Goederen.
In 2002
2002 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI...
, the band won the 3FM
3FM
3FM is a Dutch radio station on the NPO which broadcasts popular music. It can be compared with BBC Radio 1.-History:3FM was created as Hilversum 3 by minister Maarten Vrolijk on 11 October 1965, to counterbalance the popular offshore station Radio Veronica...
BuZz Award and another award the following year at the final of the annual Dutch musical contest De Grote Prijs van Nederland (The Big Prize of the Netherlands). In 2004, A Balladeer opened up for international acts Saybia
Saybia
-History:From 1998 to 2000 they privately recorded three EPs before signing to EMI in the spring of 2001. In the summer EMI released the 6 track EP "Saybia". In September 2001 the band went to Sweden to record their debut album The Second You Sleep...
and Keane and released their first EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
: 'Rumor Had It
Rumor Had It
Rumor Had It was the first EP released by A Balladeer. It was released by the band itself, not being signed by a record label. It was re-issued in December 2007.-Track listing:...
'. The EP featured 4 songs, including the critically acclaimed They've Shut Down Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer
Marks and Spencer plc is a British retailer headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, with over 700 stores in the United Kingdom and over 300 stores spread across more than 40 countries. It specialises in the selling of clothing and luxury food products...
, which resulted in considerable airplay in the Netherlands.
On 5 May 2006, A Balladeer's debut album titled Panama
Panama (album)
Panama is the debut album by A Balladeer, released in 2006.-Track listing:# "Summer" - 3:49# "Blank" - 3:42# "All I Wanted" - 4:38# "Pre-Berlin" - 3:56# "Sirens" - 3:33...
was released by EMI Music. The single 'Swim with Sam' was the first single. It became a hit in the Netherlands. The album was recorded in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
in 2005 with Bløf
Bløf
BLØF is an award-winning four-piece Dutch rock band from Vlissingen, Zeeland, the Netherlands, which has become popular regionally and internationally for its music, its frequent collaborations with bands from other parts of the world, willingness to incorporate other genres into their "sound", and...
producer Ronald Vanhuffel. Robert Kirby
Robert Kirby
Robert Kirby was a British born arranger of string sections for rock and folk music. He is best known for his work on the Nick Drake albums, Five Leaves Left and Bryter Layter, but has also worked with Elton John, Ralph McTell, Strawbs, Paul Weller and Elvis Costello.-At Cambridge:Patrick...
(well-known for his work with Nick Drake
Nick Drake
Nicholas Rodney "Nick" Drake was an English singer-songwriter and musician. Though he is best known for his sombre guitar based songs, Drake was also proficient at piano, clarinet and saxophone...
) arranged the strings for three songs. In early 2007
2007 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
, the band won a Zilveren Harp
Zilveren Harp
The Zilveren Harp is a Dutch award given annually to promising musical talent. The award is very prestigious and winners are chosen by a different jury each year...
(Silver Harp), a supporting prize for promising musical artists. In February that year
February 2007
February 2007 was the second month of that year. It began on a Thursday and 28 days later, ended on a Wednesday.-International holidays:* February 6 – Waitangi Day * February 14 – Valentines Day* February 23 – Mashramani-Republic Day...
, their third single was released, a ballad called Robin II.
The second album, Where Are You, Bambi Woods?, was released on August 29, 2008. The album is partly about the year the lead singer lived near Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Its title track is about the disappearance of porn star Bambi Woods
Bambi Woods
Bambi Woods is a former pornographic actress best known for her appearance as the title character in the 1978 film Debbie Does Dallas. She was advertised on theater marquees and in advertising as a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, although this was not actually the case.Woods appeared in only a...
(well-known from her role in Debbie Does Dallas
Debbie Does Dallas
Debbie Does Dallas is a 1978 pornographic film starring Bambi Woods. The plot of the film focuses on a team of cheerleaders attempting to earn enough money to send the title character to Dallas, Texas, to try out for the famous “Texas Cowgirls” cheerleading squad. The fictional name "Texas...
).
Current members
- Marinus de Goederen - vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Tijs Stehmann - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Past members
- Walter Wilhelm - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2003–2004) - Erik Meereboer - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals (2003–2010)
Session members
- Peter Slager (BløfBløfBLØF is an award-winning four-piece Dutch rock band from Vlissingen, Zeeland, the Netherlands, which has become popular regionally and internationally for its music, its frequent collaborations with bands from other parts of the world, willingness to incorporate other genres into their "sound", and...
) - bass guitar (studio) - Bas Kennis (BløfBløfBLØF is an award-winning four-piece Dutch rock band from Vlissingen, Zeeland, the Netherlands, which has become popular regionally and internationally for its music, its frequent collaborations with bands from other parts of the world, willingness to incorporate other genres into their "sound", and...
) - Hammond, accordion (studio) - Charlie DéeCharlie DéeRenée van Dongen, professionally known as Charlie Dée , is a Dutch singer-songwriter from Rotterdam. She won De Grote Prijs van Nederland in 2004 and released her debut album Where Do Girls Come From in 2006 and a year later Love Your Life followed. "Ten Thousand Times" is a duet with Huub van der...
- backing vocals - Arn Kortooms - bass guitar, vocals (live)
Albums
- PanamaPanama (album)Panama is the debut album by A Balladeer, released in 2006.-Track listing:# "Summer" - 3:49# "Blank" - 3:42# "All I Wanted" - 4:38# "Pre-Berlin" - 3:56# "Sirens" - 3:33...
(2006) - Where Are You, Bambi Woods? (2008)
- Sorry, kid. (2010) [by mr. a balladeer]
Singles
- Swim with Sam (2006)
- Fortune Teller (2006)
- Robin II (2007)
- Mary Had A Secret (2008)
- Superman Can't Move His Legs (2008)
- Oh, California (2010)
- When A Law's Been Broken (2010) *
- Aside (2011) *
- * = single by mr. a balladeer