He is now in his mid-70s, but the songs of the Brabant singer and songwriter Alex Roeka continue to take place at night and on the seamy side. There seems to be no question of slowing down. On Rauwe grace he opens outspokenly poppy with Singer Van Leven, Liefde En Dood, in which he sings: 'I am the singer of life, love and death. Also called 'the singing night neurot'. And so it is. As a grand artist
… in the tradition of artists who sing the fringes of life ( t, , the late ) with their romantic songs full of archaic language, empty liquor bottles and full ashtrays, Roeka still manages to keep his repertoire credible. Already tried and tested by a life as a sailor and alcoholic when he started making music around the age of 40, he doesn't need to force his jagged voice. His inspiration seems inexhaustible and Raw Grace is again fully testimony to this. (MR)more
