Ansgar Dälken

Ansgar Dälken - Acoustic Steelstring Guitar, Whistle, Programming

Solo and with guests:

Hayden Chisholm, Saxophone
Joscha Oetz, Bass
Dieter Birkenbusch, Electric Guitar

Recorded 1995-97 at different home locations by
Ansgar Dälken

Mixed and mastered 1997 by
Manfred Rohner at Man Made Noise Studio, Schwalmtal (D)

Produced by Ansgar Dälken

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"Listening to Pooka is like being up a mountain: the air gets pure, the site is better, one can see further with a feeling of space... as under a different "time zone". Ansgar Dälken is free to play music as the soul would let it out right away, with the help of the birds and of some friendly influences whose spirits are standing in the background, listening. Pooka being one of them...

A great sense of the groove and of movements within as if the musician is dancing his pieces instead of playing them. As we walk together through various landscapes, we always keep in touch with an obvious sense of the space between sparkling notes.

The blending between acoustic and synthetic craftworks, the balance between fantasy and a natural discretion renders a very personal touch and maturity all through this beautiful first album."

Pierre Bensusan

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"Absolutely a must for every fan of the music of Pierre Bensusan, Oregon or Peter Finger is the first-class debut album of Cologne steelstring guitarist Ansgar Dälken. Pooka impresses with phantastic and highly imaginative instrumental pieces. As outstanding as Dälken's guitar playing is the overall sound of the recording."

Gregor Hilden, Akustik-Gitarre

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"A pleasant breeze from a different world."

Kölner Illustrierte

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"Get your wine and your honey, close your eyes and listen. You’re about to embark on an adventure."

FAO Casa Gazette, Rome

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"Zwölf ruhige, besinnliche Instrumentalstücke - Musik zum zurücklehnen und träumen - präsentiert der Gitarrist Ansgar Dälken auf seiner CD 'Pooka'. Ob Pooka, eine Fee aus der keltischen Mythologie, dem Kölner bei seinen Komposition wirklich geholfen hat, läßt sich zwar nicht feststellen, ein Inspiration durch die keltische Sagenwelt klingt jedoch bei den filigranen Stücken, die von Whistles, Windchimes, Saxophon, Drums und Bass begleitet werden, durch. Und auch wenn die CD nicht sonderlich 'folkig' klingt - stellenweise erinnert sie eher an Jazzer wie Jan Garbarek - ist sie auf jeden Fall hörenswert."

Thomas Kamphans, Folkworld Online Magazin

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