BJ Baartmans (’65) can be considered one of the hardest working and most outspoken musicians in the Dutch americana and ‘roots’pop music scene. Ever since the early 80’s he’s most likely to be found on a concert stage or in a recording environment, present there as a singer, songwriter, guitarplayer, sideman or record producer. Although the focus is first of all on his own songmaterial and band projects, BJ is also playing frequently for other characteristic and well known artists. Acts from his own country but from the USA and Canada too. Down home in The Netherlands or on the road travelling Europe or the USA, Baartmans plays an average of over a 100 gigs a year. On top of that the last couple of years saw the release of many carefully produced and well received cd’s. BJ’s gotten plenty press coverage. Standing at the crossroads of original American musical styles like blues, soul, country and jive but also the European songforms BJ has found his tone. He delivers his songs all by himself (accompanied by his well worn guitar or mandoline), with one of his long time musical partners like singer/songwriter Eric Devries and pianist Mike Roelofs or backed up by his excellent and cherished band BJ’s Pawnshop. His songs are presented in an intense way, as he’s not afraid to take risks and seek adventure. Baartmans confronts his audience, mirroring feelings and thoughts as he deals with personal topics like lust and loneliness , struggle and downfall, idols and demons or more general social issues that move us. And with BJ being an easy talker and good host the space between songs leaves you plenty of room to breathe. BJ Baartmans’ record productions combine a traditional approach, a stronge sense of catchy songwriting and an up to date sound quality with an unconditional love for music. Where Lovers Go Eight ‘BJ Baartmans’ cd’s have been released so far, two under the flag of BJ’s Pawnshop. Stylistically Where Lovers Go leans gently towards early seventies soul and rhythm and blues, without ever loosing a pop/folk quality in it’s straight forward songstructures. There’s a hint of acts like Little Feat, JJ Cale and John Hiatt, but the songs are unmistakenly BJ’s. The current live shows BJ’s doing point that out ever so clearly. Discography BJBaartmans: The Pawnshop Guitar Chase (‘98), No Soap (‘99), F-Hole Acoustics (‘01), Where Lovers Go ('04), Verpand ('06), Verwant ('07) BJ’s Pawnshop: At Second Hand (‘00), Red Light Tracks (‘03) Credits: BJ Baartmans worked as a sideman or producer with artists like: JW Roy, Arno Adams, Shannon Lyon, Iain Matthews, Plainsong, Eugene Ruffolo, Brian Webb, Rod Picott, Billie Joyce, Eric Devries Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.