"... The man belongs in the Great 'Bavarian Songbook', in the hall of fame of Bavarian songwriters," says Bayerischer Rundfunk - and for once, he is right on all points.
For 20 years now, he has been on the road, the man from Bad Reichenhall, somewhere between Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and a Bavarian poacher, Söllner roams - singing in the songwriter tradition of American directness, with great musical instinct, as if freedom-seeking pioneers had returned to the Alps. Söllner's view of life is incorruptible, his vision of the world in which he wants to live is a just one, and his anger towards those who want to destroy this world and its creatures comes with primal force.
"We have forgotten that we are the only species that can choose to change something. We can end the misery before misery ends us. I try to believe in the good, even if I do not always succeed, and I repeatedly show our hypocrisy in my songs," says Söllner. Nevertheless, or precisely because of that, hope is always the greatest force in his songs, tenderness and love are always stronger than anger or despair.
But woe to those who misuse the concept of freedom, or those who want to limit Söllner's very own freedom, his directness and roughness can be merciless, and his precision in locating false notes is legendary.
So hold on tight, you sensitive souls and conflict avoiders, things are getting serious here. In his language, which not only pretends to be a bit Bavarian, Söllner lives in what he says and how he says it, with all his might and incredible emphasis.
Hans Söllner howls and whispers - shouts and scolds - speaks and narrates - laughs and grins - makes one sad or happy - propels one forward and holds one back.
Persuasive - precise - uncompromising, and always in the rhythm of life."