Classic songs repackaged? No: classic songs reinvented!
“Swing Low, Rock Hard” live
What it is!
Classic songs re-packaged? No – classic songs re-invented! Austrian blues-rock trio ABRAHAM presents new takes on songs that everybody knows but might not immediately recognise. The three musicians Andy Abraham, Christian Loebenstein and Robert “Bertl” Baumgartner create fresh, new interpretations, arrangements and performances of well-known lyrics. Are they covers or new songs? Covers – but new.
Go Tell It On The Mountain, Oh Happy Day, House Of The Rising Sun, By The Rivers Of Babylon etc – ABRAHAM has re-invented nine gospel and spiritual songs and given them a distinctive rock flavour. The result? “Swing Low, Rock Hard”.
ABRAHAM is the product of the deep love of music of band leader, singer and guitarist Andy Abraham. After years of pursuing various musical projects, he had the unusual idea of not only covering familiar works, but translating them into a new, homogenous rock-driven style.
Sure enough, the approach was a success and audiences were blown away. Before long, what had been little more than a vague idea became the band ABRAHAM. Drummer “Bertl” Baumgartner and bass player and singer Christian Loebenstein proved to be the perfect musical companions, complimenting Andy Abraham’s vision and approach to re-imagining old classics.
The three have now spent several years playing together in the studio and on stage. This 2024 album marks a milestone in the band’s history, capturing the unique blend of rock music, historical lyrics and pure energy for a whole new audience.
the musicians
Andy Abraham
The ABRAHAM founding member, band leader and guitarist is something of a musical chameleon. What seems like eons again now, he left his provincial origins and made his way to the big city Vienna to start his first blues-rock three-piece and find fortune and fame.
He spent several years with the innovative rock-theatre project Hallucination Company, touring through Austria, Germany, Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia and appearing on a rage of albums and TV shows. He has worked with Austrian greats including Andy Baum, Kurt Ostbahn, Hansi Lang, Boris Bukowski, Heli Deinböck, Reinhold Bilgeri, Mo, Jazz Gitti, Bill Ramsey, Schmetterlinge, Uli Baer and Wilfried.
He opened his own recording studio in Vienna in 2000 and now accompanies musicians from a wide variety of styles on stage and as a producer.
Christian Loebenstein
A multi-talented musician who brings a classical music sensibility to rock – that is ABRAHAM-bass player Christian Loebenstein in a nutshell.
His musical journey began with the recorder, the church choir and the Vienna horn and led him, eventually, to his true calling: the electric bass.
He sang in the choir of Vienna’s music schools until puberty hit, and his training is immediately evident when he steps up to the mic. And, of course, he is no slouch when it comes to keys.
Since the early 90s, Christian has played has sung and played bass and occasional keyboards in a range of bands including Medusa (psychedelic rock), The Crush (60s and 70s covers), Hit & Run, Makorokoto, Vollmond and Forty Fever.
Robert “Bertl” Baumgartner
As a child, Bertl won provincial piano competitions. Years later, he completed his piano construction apprenticeship – before embarking on a successful musical career behind the drums. A chance encounter with Christian Eigner, Depeche Mode’s long-time drummer, provided the necessary inspiration and helped to open some doors.
Before long, Bertl found himself in the studio with musicians like Leo Bei and joining Austrian hard rock legends Alkbottle on tour. He took on drumming duties for the renowned band EAV from 1998 until 2014. In addition, he has laid down rhythm for a wide range of musicians and bands including Birgit Denk, Beckemeister, Kurt Ostbahn, Sigi Maron, Horak-X and Schiffkowitz.
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