TALLINN - Belgium and Spain aren't usually thrown together in the same sentence, unless it's a political discussion. But Vaya Con Dios proves that, as a musical hybrid, the two cultures blend beautifully.
The Belgian group, led by the nationally beloved singer Dani Klein, has been performing Spanish inspired music since 1986. Vaya Con Dios (Go with God) was formed when the already world-famous Klein merged with bassist Dirk Schoufs and guitarist Willy Lambregt from The Scabs. Their first release, the single "Just a friend of mine" became an overnight success with 300,000 copies sold in France. And things only got better.
Klein's deep, raspy voice was perfect for melancholy. The song "What's a Woman" pulls her vocal chords into almost divine sorrow. By this time, the group had already become a European success with their hit song "Nah neh nah" playing on nearly every radio station. Having already mastered the sound of Spanish flamenco, Vaya Con Dios began experimenting with gypsy music and French chanson.
But a good thing can't last forever. In 1991, a feud developed between Schoufs and Klein and the band broke up. Soon afterward, Schoufs died from a drug-related disease. The Album "Time Flies" which was released a year after his death, echoes the pain and loss Klein was feeling at the time. It was widely considered her saddest album thus far, and inspired a new name for Klein: "femme fatale." Although critics swooned at the compassion in Klein's voice, the album didn't receive the mass popularity it deserved.
Since then, the group has come and gone, with a devout following in Germany, France and Scandinavia. But in 1997, with 7 million albums sold, Klein became a victim of her success. Suffocated by the music business, she bowed out of the scene to spend more time with her son and "live her life" as she aptly put it.
"In the latest phase it was no pleasure anymore," she said in an interview with Peter Van Dyck from Weekend-Knack magazine. "I had to cancel the last concerts because I fell ill, the stress was terrible. I didn't have a bond with the musicians anymore, they just came to do their job for two months. I didn't even know if they even liked the music. We didn't talk about such things. No, that was not my cup of tea anymore. But I guess that is how it goes: you start small and then the thing starts getting bigger and bigger."
Four years later, she was ready to return to music. But she wanted to start from scratch. Klein's new band, Purple Prose, took on a more bluesy tone and targeted a more mature audience. Musicians Thierry Plas and Marc Ysave joined Klein, bringing their symphonic-rock sound along with them.
"I want to build the next phase in my career in a really quiet way," Klein told Weekend-Knack. "Playing from time to time, without too much pressure, and with enough room to have other activities. I don't want to pack my bags to go on a tour for three months ever again."
And with the exception of a few short tours, she's stuck to this promise. It's clear that Klein is a private woman, who is sparing with her exceptional talent. Bearing this in mind, Estonians should feel fortunate that the Belgian is bringing her best to Tallinn this month. Who knows when she'll slip away to "live life" again.
Vaya Con Dios
Nov. 23, 20:00
Saku Arena, Tallinn
Tickets start at 390 kroons
(25 euros)
Tel: +372 660 0200
