When a musician has spent so many years 'on the road' and 'live in the studio', he's truly ripe for a 'Retrospective'. But this Analog Retrospective is something very special in the rich discography of Hans Theessink.

The man with the distinctive baritone voice, who consistently avoids digital effects and relies on a natural, direct, and clear sound, also has a gigantic archive of analog tapes. And it was into this very archive that the Vienna-based musician delved deep, ultimately selecting nine gems of songs that can be considered the quintessence of his skill and work.

Almost always by his side is his longtime American co- and/or background vocalist, Terry Evans from Vicksburg, Mississippi, who lends warmth and depth to seven of the nine songs with his powerful voice. The legendary Ry Cooder lends his guitar skills to two tracks without much fanfare. And he and bass player Jon Sass certainly don't fail to prove that even the mighty tuba can have a boogie. The result is a musically extremely diverse retrospective, primarily featuring compositions by Hans Theessink.

This strictly limited and serialized album also captivates the audiophile community with it's sound. Hans Theessink's audiophile leanings and discerning ear are partly responsible for this. But above all, it's the sound engineer Christoph Stickel, who enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide for his purist 'Pure Analog Remastering.' He resides in Vienna with a wealth of vintage equipment and extensive expertise. So what could be more natural than commissioning this gifted perfectionist with the - naturally purely analog - reworking and remastering of Theessink's collection of gems? Christoph Stickel has done a superb job. Hans Theessink's distinctive, gruff voice comes across incredibly directly, almost tangible. The instruments reveal so many details that it's almost impossible to keep up with listening.