Hans accompanied Robert Palmer on German TV, toured as bassist with the New York Broadway Ensemble, played throughout Europe with master harp player Rüdiger Oppermann, and performed a Concerto as Soloist on fretless bass with the "Ars Quittilinga" Chamber Orchestra (Concerto written by contemporary German composer Thomas König). Hans York co- founded the German Worldmusic cult band Moka Efti and recorded three CDs with them. The third album, “Fata Morgana” features US saxophonist Charlie Mariano and producer/saxophonist Heinrich von Kalnein (Vienna Art Orchestra).
Hans spent six months in Rio de Janeiro where he studied Samba, Bossa Nova and popular Brazilian music, an experience that upon his return to Germany, inspired his first solo album Hazzazar.
His 2008 album "Young Amelia" is a low-key gem showcasing York’s impressive acoustic guitar playing, appealing tenor and strong songwriting skills. His approach to the guitar blends jazz, folk and Classical European styles into a sound that’s both familiar and unique. Self-produced and recorded live in the studio in a mere two and a half days with the help of some talented friends (credits below), Young Amelia shows off York’s distinctive guitar sound, full of rhythmic and melodic flourishes that impress without overwhelming the songs. York favors open tunings, which give his playing an expansive feel, marked by full, round notes and chiming overtones.
"Young Amelia" takes you on a subtle journey to explore the hidden recesses of the human heart with outstanding musicianship and deep compassion. The set includes “Tell Me Why,” a jazzy, Brazilian flavored tune marked by York’s impressive fretwork; the classic swing of “Invocation,” which will be the album’s first single, where York drops a bit of tongue twisting vocalese worthy of Jon Hendricks into the mix, and the gently rowdy ragtime of “Never Been in Love,” a tongue in cheek celebration of life after a failed relationship. Other standout tracks include “Young Amelia,” a ballad full of melancholic poetry that investigates the heartbreaking tension between love and loss, youth and old age; “Snow,” a tune with a circular guitar melody that suggests swirling snowflakes; the elegant, measured ballad “Inner Windows;” the newgrass bounce of “Lifeline,” and “Letting Go,” a hushed meditation on the death of a parent with one of York’s most poignant vocals. York will be touring extensively to support Young Amelia, impressing audiences with his remarkable musicianship and low-key charisma.
Musicians on Young Amelia:
Hans York, acoustic guitar and vocals; Jon Hamar, bass; Chris Stormquist, percussion, glockenspiel; Eva Scow, mandolin; Dusty Brough, nylon string guitar; Myra Joy, cello; Elizabeth!, trombone and vocals; Dan Tyack, pedal steel, dobro; Backing vocals, James Hurley, Kym Tuvim, Larry Murante
Hans York is a world musician in the true sense of the term, drawing most of his present day inspiration from his vast eclectic background.
Miss You
Hans York Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Awoke this morning feeling fine
Sun will fall or rain will shine
Autumn winds steal thoughts of mine
A soaring hawk is circling high
Outstretched wings across the sky
Echoes what I feel today
I miss you
Being with you day to day
Things you do and things you say
I think about while you're away
In a quiet moment all alone
I miss you
Gazing at the hazy moon come shining, reminds me,
A love like ours I never knew until it shined on you.
Red and yellow swirling round
Fallen leaves lie on the ground
Day grows dim, the sun goes down
Barren limbs in the night
I write in dreams and then awaken
Words are gone, my songs are taken
It's not about a love forsaken
All I want is just to say
I miss you
Hans York's song "Miss You" is a somber reflection on a long distance relationship. The singer awakes to a new day feeling fine, but thoughts of missing their loved one consume them as the day wears on. The autumn winds make them feel even more isolated and alone, which is emphasized by the metaphor of a soaring hawk giving a lonesome cry. The overarching message is that no matter what the weather, the singer is plagued by a sense of longing for the person they love.
The lyrics speak to the acute sense of emptiness that comes with physical separation from a loved one. The singer thinks about their partner's actions and words, and feels the weight of their absence in quiet moments of reflection. The imagery of the hazy moon shining down is a reminder of the unique quality of the love between them that the singer had never experienced before. However, the fall leaves swirling around signal the inevitable change that will occur - the relationship is changing as the couple is apart.
The song's contemplative mood is reinforced by the music itself. The instrumentals are simple and unobtrusive, letting the lyrics take center stage. York's voice is plaintive, conveying the sense of vulnerability and yearning in the lyrics. The melody is slow and gentle, as if the singer is speaking directly to the listener, inviting them into the intimate emotions of the song.
Overall, "Miss You" is a poignant portrayal of the pain of separation from someone you love. It speaks to the universal human experience of missing someone both physically and emotionally.
Line by Line Meaning
Awoke this morning feeling fine
Started the day feeling alright
Sun will fall or rain will shine
Weather may change but life goes on
Autumn winds steal thoughts of mine
The winds of fall make me lost in thought
A soaring hawk is circling high
Watching a hawk fly up in the sky
Outstretched wings across the sky
Feeling the freedom of open skies
Gives a faint and lonesome cry
Making a lonely sound as it flies
Echoes what I feel today
Reflecting my feelings in its own way
I miss you
I long to be with you again
Being with you day to day
Being together every day
Things you do and things you say
Thinking of things you do and say
I think about while you're away
Thinking of you when you're far away
In a quiet moment all alone
Being by myself in a quiet zone
Gazing at the hazy moon come shining, reminds me,
Looking at the moon reminds me of...
A love like ours I never knew until it shined on you.
I never knew love like ours before I met you
Red and yellow swirling round
Leaves of autumn falling all around
Fallen leaves lie on the ground
Leaves falling to rest on the ground
Day grows dim, the sun goes down
As the day ends, the sun goes down
Barren limbs in the night
Winter is coming with trees bare in sight
I write in dreams and then awaken
Writing in dreams that I soon awaken
Words are gone, my songs are taken
Words disappear, the music is not forsaken
It's not about a love forsaken
This feeling is not about love taken
All I want is just to say
All I want is to express and convey
I miss you
I miss being with you every day
Contributed by Andrew P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.