Broeder Dieleman: Oh mijn ziel

photo: Mick de Witte

When Dutch troubadour Broeder Dieleman released his single Ochtendvier in June, it was a clear sign that he was branching out and forego his task as a lone songwriter with this collaboration with American singer Baby Dee. She is all over his new album, Oh mijn ziel, and helped him write the music for most of the tracks. Dieleman's love for dialects is still in full swing. Two texts by Flemish author Leo Bootsgezel - Kezand sturmland! and Toe, Leo - were transferred to the folk idiom, with the latter taking the guise of an adapted ballad, with birds chatter and an one-point accordion part courtesy of Dee.

Oh mijn ziel is a meeting of like-minded musicians, sharing a love for timeless music, a safe place where instruments and words share equal billing. Dieleman has let go of the reigns on this one, but longtime fans of his output will appreciate the fact that his instantly recognizable phrasing is smack in the middle of the mix. And yes, the title track is a translation of sorts of Psalm 42, a go-to text for searchers. If anything, he now has a few extra eyes to find what he is looking for.

Broeder Dieleman: Ochtendvier

photo: Mick de Witte

Dutch troubadour Broeder Dieleman joined forces with American singer Baby Dee for his new single Ochtendvier, a first taste from his forthcoming new album O Mijn Ziel. He sings in his in the dialect of his native Zeeland in this reworking of Dee's Morning Fire - Dee sings the original lyrics in English. It is a hopeful song and the two voices blend together quite well.

Broeder Dieleman: De Koeter

photo: Mechteld Jansen

Dutch folk singer Broeder Dieleman has released De Koeter, the second one of two new songs about a life in the West part of Zeeuws Vlaanderen in the early 20th century. A "koeter" was a young boy, who had uneviable task to lead the cows to the pastures, a kind of pocket-cowboy who was treated like shit, under the tutelage of De Eerste Knecht (the farmer's righthand man). On the upside: koeters had each back when they were allowed to roam free for awhile, giving them opportunity to help themselves to some free apples. And they kept tabs on each other by yodeling (seriously), so there is a bit of that in the song too.

Broeder Dieleman: De Eerste Knecht

photo: Mechteld Jansen

Dutch folk singer Broeder Dieleman has released De Eerste Knecht, the first one of two new songs about a life in the West part of Zeeuws Vlaanderen. It tells the tale of the righthand man of a farmer, who is in charge of taking cares of the horses. He is quite happy with his job and leading the beasts to a creek to let them drink fills him with great joy. He knows that the farmer and his wife are already sound asleep as he watches the sunset.

Dieleman's choice to sing in his native dialect should not be a problem - his music is universal. With prominent roles for his banjo and Janine van Osta's backing vocals, he taps into a well of folk that keeps on giving.

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & broeder Dieleman: "Love is the first law" b/w "There are worms in your circle" 7"' on May 21

Six years after the release of their split 7" single Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & broeder Dieleman have teamed up for a follow-up. On May 21 Love is the first law (a translation of Dieleman's De Liefde is de Eerste Wet) backed by There are worms in your circle will be released via Snowstar Records. The paper cut-art cover is made by Broeder Dieleman, inspired by the works of 19th artist Jan Huijszoon, better known as Jan de Prentenknipper. Like Huijzoon he is now selling them to make a bit of money during lockdown.

» bonnieprincebilly.com
» broederdieleman.com

Broeder Dieleman: "De Liefde is de Eerste Wet" video

Dutch folk singer Broeder Dieleman has psoted a video for De Liefde is de Eerste Wet, the title track from his latest album : "[he] is putting the song first again. With his banjo and vocals as the lead instruments he is the undisputed lead troubadour of Zeeland. Backed by a great band he makes unfashionable yet heartfelt music that can stand the test of time."

Broeder Dieleman: tour dates

photo: Mechteld Jansen

Dutch folk singer Broeder Dieleman will be on tour in The Netherlands and Belgium to promote his latest release De Liefde is de Eerste Wet: "[he] is putting the song first again. With his banjo and vocals as the lead instruments he is the undisputed lead troubadour of Zeeland. Backed by a great band he makes unfashionable yet heartfelt music that can stand the test of time."

Live dates

• 09/26 Patronaat, Haarlem
• 09/27 Zeeuws Museum, Middelburg
• 09/29 Paradiso, Amsterdam
• 10/01 Vera, Groningen
• 10/02 Rotown, Rotterdam
• 10/04 Scheldefestival, Lillo, Belgium
• 10/09 MEZZ, Breda
• 10/20 TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht

» broederdieleman.com

HCTF review of De Liefde is de Eerste Wet.

Broeder Dieleman: De Liefde is de Eerste Wet

Dutch folk musician Broeder Dieleman used old stores to create new stories for his De Liefde is de Eerste Wet (Love is the Fisrt Law) album. Inspired by the colourful cut outs made by the wandering 19th artist Jan Huijszoon - Jan de Prentenknipper - who used it as a motto for his art, Dieleman also picked up a pair of scissors to create art pieces in a similar vein.

Written in the dialect of his native Zeeland he sings about making music (Plaatsbepaling), makes a plea for taking it slow (Jaagpad - with a rhythm that sounds a lot like Dylan's on his Desire) album, and revisits am ancient Biblical tale in Jakobsladder, a story about a shepherd who sees angels going up and down a ladder.

Broeder Dieleman: Nieuw Raam

Dutch folk musician Broeder Dieleman has made a video for his new single Nieuw Raam (new window). Besides the obvious opportunities this purchase has to offer, he alos used to create a new perspective on life in general. The clip, made by Jonathan Sipkema and Dieleman, features calligraphy, a recurring theme on his new album De Liefde is de Eerste Wet.

Broeder Dieleman: Jakobsladder

Dutch folk musician Broeder Dieleman revisits am ancient Biblical tale on his new single Jakobsladder, a story about a shepherd who sees angels going up and down a ladder:

The song examines the reflection a place can give: a literal place with its nature, and the figurative place of the person in relation to the world. In this way symbolism and landscape, dream and deed flow beautifully together in this newly told, ancient story of Jakob the shepherd

It is the lead single from his forthcoming new album De Liefde is de Eerste Wet. The video was made by Jonathan Sipkema.

Broeder Dieleman: Wat doen we met het verdriet

Dutch folk musician Broeder Dieleman sings about the kind of grief for which there is no cure" the death of loved ones. As per usual he also mentions the changes for the worse in his native Zeeland, where nature has to give way to houses and industry. Wat doen we met het verdriet is his first new solo song since his Komma album. The video was made by Jonathan Sipkema.

Broeder Dieleman: theatre tour in 2020

Dutch folk musician Broeder Dieleman will be playing in theatres in 2020. He will present new material, besides songs from his back catalog of songs inspired by his native province Zeeland. He is a free-flowing poet with an uncanny knack for storytelling and a wicked sense of humour.

Wannes Cappelle, broeder Dieleman & Frans Grapperhaus:two shows in Amsterdam

Flemish artist Wannes Capelle, Dutch folk musician Broeder Dieleman and cello player Frans Grapperhaus will be performing two shows (afternoon and evening) on April 29th @ De Roode Bioscoop in Amsterdam to promote their Dit Is De Bedoeling album: "a mini-album with six songs about father trying to get their children to drink, pirates led by a notorious leader holed up in a cave, and the fear of missing out being superseded by the simple fact that dinner is served".

Wannes Cappelle, broeder Dieleman & Frans Grapperhaus: Dit Is De Bedoeling

Put three well-versed folkies in a studio and changes are that they will come up with something that is greater than the sum of its parts. Dutch folk musician Broeder Dieleman joined forces with like-minded Flemish artist Wannes Capelle and Frans Grapperhaus came on board to play the cello. Singing in their respective Zeeuws-Flemish and West-Flemisch dialects (which are actually quite alike), these musicians have mastered the art of storytelling.

Dit Is De Bedoeling is a mini-album with six songs about father trying to get their children to drink, pirates led by a notorious leader holed up in a cave, and the fear of missing out being superseded by the simple fact that dinner is served. Spontaneity is key for these 21st Century balladeers. Being able to make it sound as if at was made up on the spot is quite hard. It only works when musicians have a real connection. Dieleman and Grapperhaus are able to write a song about anything, plus they share a wicked sense of humour and a childlike curiosity. Let's hope they do it again in the near future.

HCTF's best of 2018 (5-1)

• 20-16
• |
• 15-11
• |
• 10-6
• |
• 5-1

» Best of playlist

» Listen here

HCTF's annual list of the 20 albums that will be in regular rotation for many years to come. As per usual many genres are represented. This blog covers a lot of ground and it shows in this eclectic, final tally.

Today: countdown from number 5 to 1.

Please shop at your local record store, buy directly from the artist, attend live shows. Don't block anyone's view with with your phone (better still, switch it off altogether). Shut the fuck up while the band is playing. Educate your friends. Word-of-mouth can't be beat as the prime source to discover new music.

Wannes Cappelle, Broeder Dieleman & Frans Grapperhaus: stream "Vergeving" from "Dit Is De Bedoeling"

Folk artists Wannes Cappelle, Broeder Dieleman & Frans Grapperhaus have posted Vergeving. It turns that West and Zeeuws-Flemish accents have far more similarities than people might think.

Their new collaborative album Dit Is De Bedoeling will be the main course during the proceedings during the shows of an extensive tour. The record will be released on January 18th thru Snowstar Records (Netherlands) and Unday Records (Belgium).

Broeder Dieleman w/ Wannes Capelle and Frans Grapperhaus: more tour dates

Six shows have been added to Dutch folk musician Broeder Dieleman's tour with Wannes Capelle and Frans Grapperhaus next year. Be prepared for a night of storytelling, humour and next level roots music.

Their new collaborative album Dit Is De Bedoeling will be the main course during the proceedings. The album wil be released on January 18th thru Snowstar Records (Netherlands) en Unday Records (Belgium).

Broeder Dieleman: on tour in Belgium with Wannes Capelle and Frans Grapperhaus

Dutch folk musician Broeder Dieleman will be on tour in Belgium with Wannes Capelle and Frans Grapperhaus next year. The tour is preceded by a one-off show in The Netherlands, as part of Eurosonic/Noorderslag Festival in Groningen on January 18. Be prepared for a night of storytelling, humour and next level roots music.

Broeder Dieleman: "Komma" live @ Paradiso, Amsterdam

Dutch folk musician Broeder Dieleman managed to turn the upstairs hall at Paradiso, Amsterdam into a part of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, when he performed the songs of his latest album Komma. Taking his time to introduce and each song he led the audience on a journey through the polders and creeks and pointing out birds and colourful characters that he met along the way. And while performing an album in full, might limit the space for a band there was plenty of room for improvisation, making it a showcase for jazzy folk and vocalizing.

Broeder Dieleman: Komma

Dutch folk singer broeder Dieleman captures the spirit of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen on his new double album Komma, an impressive free-flowing set of music plus a book with a selection of the photos he made over the past two years. He explored the creeks and spoke to the inhabitants of this thinly populated part of the Netherlands, where the trees are lined up like a single file military parade and the air smells of sugar beets and the salty winds blowing in from the Westerschelde.

Komma, named after the priest and sculptor Omer Gielliet's signature - plus "Komma" is dialect for "kom maar" (come on over), is a two-faced album. The first is a band record with melancholic folk songs, sung in the dialect that is close to his heart. The second album is a lengthy, dreamy invocation of one his favourite creeks t Gat van Pinten, a poetic story told by different voices, enhanced by field recordings and found sounds. This modern day radio drama is a continuation of the music that came by his previous book Uut de bron.