Protest song...

In 2003, Dutch comedian Harrie Jekkers wrote a song against the Government of Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende. The singer was Peter Groot Kormelink, and Ton Scherpenzeel played "all instruments". Probably, it was keyboards only, trying to sound like a fanfare orchestra. Ton doesn't see this recording as a highlight in his career. In fact he sort of wiped it from his memory. Having just bought and played the single, I can understand why...

Dutch/American singer Lori Spee released her album "One Step" in 1986. The album has 10 songs, and the "Kayak-connection" is that it was co-produced by Gerrit Jan Leenders. And oh yes, every now and then an ex-Kayakmember appears:

1. One Step: Pim Koopman (drums, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, co-produced, co-arranged), Max Werner (co-arranged), Ton Scherpenzeel (keyboards)

2. The Chain: Johan Slager (guitar), Max (drums, percussion, backing vocals, arranged), Ton (keyboards)

3. Reduced To Tears: Pim (drums, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, co-produced, co-arranged), Ton (keyboards), Max (co-arranged)

4. Win Or Lose: Max (drums, co-arranged)

5. As Heroes: Max (drums, percussion, arranged), Ton (keyboards)

6. Two Fools In Love: Max (drums, percussion, backing vocals, arranged), Ton (keyboards)

7. Halfway: Max (drums), Ton (keyboards), Edward Reekers (backing vocals)

8. Enlightened: Max (drums, percussion, co-arranged), Ton (keyboards)

9. These Things Happen: Max (drums, percussion, arranged) Ton (keyboards)

10. Those Faces: Max (drums, percussion, co-arranged), Ton (keyboards)

Edward Reekers

Don't ever think that you have collected each and every note that Edward Reekers ever recorded. His voice can be heard on Kayak's and his own albums. But you can also hear him on many other people's songs, in cartoons, jingles, commercials, etc.. Impossible as it is to give you a complete overview, here are some rarities in which Edward was in some way involved...

In 1981, Dutch band Swan had Edward as one of the two lead singers (the other one was a girl called Joan Clauson). Also in this band: Okkie Huysdens, who worked with Pim Koopman in The President. As far as I know, Swan released only one LP: From Swan With Love.


In 2003, Edward worked on a CD that was a bonus with a Dutch Book: "The Brendan Notes" by Rob van der Linden and Gert Jan Sterk. Edward can be heard in 4 of the 18 tracks on the CD.



In 1991, Edward sang a duet with Sandra Reemer: 'Listen To The Flowers' was the title track of a CD which was dedicated to the "Floriade" flower exhibition.


Edward often lent his voice to commercials. Flowers, chocolates, sweets, you name it. In Germany, the Langnese company hired him to do a commercial for their icecream. The song "So Schmeckt Der Sommer" was released as a single in 2005, and even became a hit in Germany. The CD-single also has an English version: "The Taste Of Summer". Inspired by the success, they recorded a winter-version in 2006: "So Schmilzt Der Winter".


The series "Luister En Leer" ("Listen And Learn") was meant for children in the age of 3-6 years. With themes such as 'wild animals', 'the farm' and 'pets', the simple songs and stories tought them about animals, but also helped them with counting. Edward was the producer of the voices on the CD's, and sang the songs together with Gaby Kaihatu.


Tiger: I Can't Stop Loving You (single, 1982, written by Edward)


Maribelle: Ik Hou Van Jou / Maar Vanavond (single, 1984, b-side written by Edward)

The Cats: I'll Find My Way Back To You (single b-side, 1985, co-written by Edward)

TO BE CONTINUED...

Diesel

One of Pim Koopman's first projects after leaving Kayak, was Diesel. In Diesel, Pim wrote and arranged songs, played various instruments, and was their producer and arranger. Of course, one other member of Diesel was Rob Vunderink. Pim and Rob had already worked together as Concrete, and in later years, Rob would join Kayak.

Diesel's first album, "Watts In A Tank" was an unexpected success in Italy, Canada and the USA. The single "Sausalito Summernight" made it to nr. 1 in the Canadian charts, and also reached the USA top 50. Other singles like "Down In The Silvermine" and "Goin' Back To China" were hits in Holland.

Pim Koopman left just after the release of the debut album (and before a real USA-tour!). Diesel released a second album ("Unleaded"), but the members of the band would rather forget about that one. Diesel members came and went, and in later years they only released some non-album singles, with Pim involved every now and then. And a line-up with Pim and Rob played live on some occasions in 2007.

On http://www.dieselonline.nl/ you can find the complete story of Diesel!

Ton's theatre work

One of Ton Scherpenzeel's "most rewarding" (in various senses) jobs is his work as a composer for theatre companies and comedians. It started on a small scale, with the musical 'Playmate' (1982/83) for the Belgian theatre company Arena. But this side of his career got an enormous boost when he was approached by Dutch comedian Youp van 't Hek. In 1983, Ton worked with the still unknown Youp on an album. And in 1984 they had their first collaboration for Youp's live show. From that year on, Ton became Youp's main composer (and Youp became Holland's most famous comedian). Their collaboration is still intact, after more than 15 shows.

Another famous Dutch comedian (and writer of some extremely funny books) is Harrie Jekkers. With Harrie, Ton worked on some studio albums, the accompanying theatre shows, and two albums of childrens songs.

Ton also worked for two Dutch theatre companies: Opus One (since 1994) and Jeugdtheater Hofplein (more than 50 productions since 1990!). Some Hofplein-productions were written by Harrie Jekkers, and arranged by Ton. The songs of some Opus One and Hofplein-productions were available on CD, though only at the venues where they were performed. Nowadays, they are quite hard to find!

In october 1977, Mathilde Willink died. She was a flamboyant Dutch society figure, and 'living art object'. In 1978, singer Marjol Flore released the single 'Mathilde', as a tribute to Willink. The song (the single has a Dutch and a German version) was composed, arranged and produced by Ton.

On Ton's website, you can find a complete list of his theatre productions.

The President

The President was a short-lived, but quite successful project of Pim Koopman and singer/keyboardist Okkie Huysdens. In the period 1983-1985, this band recorded 2 albums ('By Appointment Of' and 'Muscles') and a couple of singles. The single "You're Gonna Like It" (1983) became their biggest hit.

The albums were released on CD, but are not easy to find. The first one can still be found sometimes, as it was released in Japan in large quantities. The second album is very rare!


For more info on The PresidenT: see www.pimkoopman.com