Klaus Wunderlich - HAPPY END

HAPPY END ~ Composed by Klaus Wunderlich

(Please scroll down for German translation)

In 2001 I was asked by OKEY Magazine (from Germany) to contribute a track to a new CD recording which they intended to produce called A TRIBUTE TO KLAUS WUNDERLICH. A number of artistes were approached and invited to each record a single track with the view of making this a compilation album of Klaus's own compositions - and this would be a great tribute to, arguably, the greatest 'popular' organist of all time.

I choose the melody HAPPY END from a long list of tunes and proceeded to arrange and record the track. As soon as it was completed I submitted my master tape to OKEY magazine in Germany ... but unfortunately, and very sadly, the production never went ahead. After many months - and years - of waiting I finally realised that the album A TRIBUTE TO KLAUS WUNDERLICH would never be released - and this was a great disappointment.

So, almost ten years after the death of Klaus Wunderlich (Born June 18, 1931 - died October 28, 1997), I am releasing for the first time my recording of HAPPY END as my own tribute to the man who gave me so much inspiration.

This is in fact the first time this recording has ever been published. So, if you like my rendition of HAPPY END, you can download the full MP3 file (FREE) from the downloads page of my website www.digitalorchestra.co.uk

Thank you for listening -- JOHN WALKER


HAPPY END - Komponiert von Klaus Wunderlich

Im Jahre 2001 wurde ich vom deutschen OKEY Magazin gebeten, ein Lied für eine neue CD-Aufnahme beizutragen, welche das Magazin unter dem Titel EIN TRIBUT AN KLAUS WUNDERLICH produzieren wollte. Man fragte auch andere Organisten und wollte erreichen, daß jeder eine Spur mit einem von Klaus Wunderlich komponierten Lied beiträgt, was eine schöne Geste für den vielleicht bekanntesten und größten Organisten von Populärmusik wäre.

Ich wählte für mich die Melodie namens Happy End aus einer langen Liste von seinen Liedern aus und arrangierte die Nummer und nahm sie auch auf. Sobald ich fertig war, stellte ich das Mastertape dem OKEY Magazin in Deutschland zur Verfügung....aber leider wurde nie etwas aus dieser Produktion. Nach vielen Monaten - und dann schon Jahren - des Wartens musste ich zur Kenntnis nehmen, daß EIN TRIBUT AN KLAUS WUNDERLICH nie Wirklichkeit werden wird, und die Enttäuschung war groß.

Jetzt, fast 10 Jahre nach dem Ableben von Klaus Wunderlich (Geb. 18. Juni 1931, Gestorben 28. Oktober 1997), veröffentliche ich zum ersten Mal meine Aufnahme von HAPPY END als mein eigenes Tribut an einen Mann, der mir selbst eine große Inspiration war.

Dies ist auch das erste Mal daß die Aufnahme der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich gemacht wird. Wenn Ihnen meine Interpretation von HAPPY END gefällt, können Sie die gesamte MP3-Datei von der Downloads Seite auf meiner Webseite www.digitalorchestra.co.uk gratis herunterladen.

Vielen Dank für's Zuhören und für Ihr Interesse - JOHN WALKER

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Klaus
• Wunderlich
• Organ
• Keyboard
• Keyboards
• German
• Organist
• Wersi

[benscotthyde]

John - do you know the album that this Happy end was on? I am trying to find the orignal version of this song by Klaus.

Many thanks

Ben,

[johnaw1]

It comes from ORGEL SPIELEN MIT KLAUS. Much harder to find because it was made for the Wersi Company and as such is on their label. The LP number is Wersi 1011 and was issued in 1982. If anyone ever comes across a copy it should contain the Music Book that was issued as part of the special gate-fold presentation pack (Information kindly suplied by Alan Ashton).

[Twirretwarre]

You did a great job. I feel your respect in it for this man. He would have been happy with your tribute, John.

At what organ do you play this?

Roeleke

[johnaw1]

I recorded HAPPY END with a selection of kit from my Digital Orchestra, based around the Yamaha HX1. You can read more about the equipment by visiting my website and clicking on 'Digital Orchestra'. Thanks for your comment! JOHN

[EquuSpirit]

Your tribute version is very beautifully done! (5 stars!) Thank you for your generosity in making it available on MP3 also...it's a keeper for sure! Happy endings in 2007 and new beginnings for 2008 to all! ~ Terri

[johnaw1]

Many thanks for that, and Happy New Year! - JOHN

[WHELDON74]

A fabulous organist.

Sadly mist.

Never liked the Wersi, too strident.

I think his best work was on the Hammond, much more mellow.

[daquagaars]

For all who love organ music, we lost one of the greatest when Klaus passed away. I always loved his music.

It's great John you made this tribute and that you are offering to download for free, I'm sure Klaus would be honored having his composition played by one of the worlds other greatest organists!

[MegaWilland]

The very best recordings by Klaus Wunderlich absolute was at the Hammond organ - back in the sixties! The Wersi is too electronic or orchestral in sound - no good real organ sound like the Hammond!

[chkjns]

I award you all the stars in our galaxie for this!

I will never cease to be amazed at the sound produced by electronics from a keyboard. Your pan flute & harp sound just wonderful ! ! ! Youtube's chrome browser let's me download this from an unavoidable prompt above the upper right corner of the video. Are people unaware of this, or is the quality deemed to be inferior? Real Player says it downloaded 6.3 MB

[WHELDON74]

@WHELDON74

Mist means light fog or bad visibility or misty = steamy

[poochieman789]

Very good job on this number, thanks very much, Klaus' spirit  remains with us, no doubt....

[rcwilli1991]

yes in Germany mist means shit... what does it mean in English?? pd thx for the separation. :P

[hammondfanatic]

I agree too with you Wheldon74, so I sent a video answer to this beautiful tribute to Klaus, remembering when in his early years he played the Hammond C3 and had a jazzy style

[alexandredantas58]

MARAVILHOSO