Inga Rumpf & Friends

Veteran singer Inga Rumpf describes this concert as "a musical journey through German rock," which may sound about as appealing as, say, "a culinary tour through English stew"— let's face it, once you get past Kraftwerk and, er, David Hasselhoff, the Teutonic pickings are pretty slim. But Rumpf is good. Sixty years old at the time of this 2007 gig for the German Rockpalast music TV series (and celebrating her 40th year as a performer, including stints with the New City Preachers, Frumpy, Atlantis, and other bands you've never heard of), Rumpf was once called "Germany's only world-class rock and soul singer," and she's certainly the most authentic-sounding European soul artist (not including Great Britain) I've heard. Rumpf's gospel, blues, and R&B influences are evident from the get-go, while her strong and soulful (if slightly ragged) voice brings to mind any number of singers, from Tina Turner and Ann Peebles to Bonnie Bramlett and Julie Driscoll (the jazzy "Indian Rope Man," a minor hit for Driscoll and organist Brian Auger 40 years ago, is one of several covers included in this 14-song set), and she plays some impressive bottleneck guitar, as well. Still, there's a certain je ne sais quoi missing here: Rumpf and her band are more than imitators—emulators, perhaps—but I'd still rather listen to Etta James. DVD extras include a backstage interview with Rumpf and bonus concert footage from Hamburg. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (S. Graham)