Translation of the German review:

With the album Homesick I would like to present a sound jewel from the label Triston Masters by Jürg Schopper from Switzerland. It offers seven very high-quality tracks by the Swiss rock band Southern Comfort. All superlatives were fulfilled to produce the tape: The recording took place in 1993 at Paramount Studios, Hollywood; in other words, at one of the most important locations in the best days of analog technology, using a Studer A80 (24-track) and mixing from the original master tape via a Neve console with an Ampex ATR 102 (½ inch). The copy master for this edition was made with a Telefunken M10A with V86 and V87 tube amplifiers (playback device) and a Telefunken M15 (recording device). The master tape copies were made at REVOX Horch House. The entire production process, from the studio to the master tape copy, is 100% analog without any electronic effects or other post-processing.

In the 1990s, the Swiss band Southern Comfort toured Europe and the USA. They played on a par with very well-known groups and at various festivals. Of the 13 tracks originally released on CD, seven are on the master tape copy.

This album has a very good sound from a perfectly harmonizing and very well-rehearsed band. The driving drums, placed right in the middle of the virtual stage, act as a pacemaker. This is complemented by a relaxed bass and the appealing vocals of several band members in solo and background mode. The rhythm guitars, built in as cornerstones, also act as soloists at times. The guys from Southern Comfort play the country rock style sound that was popular in the 1990s with great perfection. When listening to it, I had to turn up the volume and just “let the house burn”. This is an album to celebrate: tough rock music that knows no age stamp, in top quality from tape. What more could you want?

I conducted an interview with Jürg Schopper, the editor, guitarist and singer of Southern Comfort:

Claus: How did you meet and get together as a band?

Jürg: Southern Comfort grew out of the rock 'n' roll band Shotgun Eddie and The Ravers. They were very well known with record deals with EMI, K-Tel etc. When the rock 'n' roll revival came to an end (around 1987), the remaining musicians re-formed Southern Comfort.

Claus: I find it impressive that you, as a Swiss band, found your way to the USA and thus to international fame. How did you organize that?

Jürg: As we have built up an excellent reputation as a top live act, one thing led to another: Ariola BMG record deal and the highlight was the recording Homesick, recorded in L. A., USA. As we were an excellent live band, we recorded the tracks live in the main studio at Paramount Recording Studios. That's why it sounds so powerful and of one piece. Only the vocals, certain chorus passages and the solos were recorded overdubbed.

Claus: The album Homesick is a very strong achievement by the band. What was it like recording in the studio at Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood in 1993?

Jürg: Completely relaxed. We enjoyed it and above all, coming from the technical side, I was absolutely impressed and enthusiastic about the professionalism of this studio and the incredible quality of the equipment, for example the large Neve console, Studer 24-channel multitrack recorder and Ampex ATR-102 master machine, half-inch, 30ips. I think that was the heyday of the analog recording industry. What was also impressive is the fact that you want to have a Hammond organ with you, then it's in the studio in three hours and the next day a fantastic musician comes along and uses it properly. In a nutshell: Everything was just right.

Claus: I can imagine how well this music worked live. Where have you been on tour?

Jürg: All hell broke loose live, as one of the guitarists was also a gifted violinist and we also had certain folk music adaptations in our program. We were mainly on tour in Europe, with a focus on Switzerland, Germany, the Benelux countries, but also in New York and Long Island.

Claus: You were the support act and the main act. Which bands and festivals did you play with? How did that feel?

Jürg: As an opening act, we were allowed to open for Status Quo, Molly Hatchet, Rory Gallagher, Lynyrd Skynyrd, etc. We played at numerous festivals as well as in halls and clubs. First, we practically never had to deal with musicians who had a cult following. A special moment was when the musicians of the main act listened to our concert and gave us the thumbs up.

Claus: Is there an anecdote or two that you would like to tell the readers of this article?

Jürg: Yes, there are many. Once the whole band was arrested for disturbing the peace. Another time, two female fans were very taken with our singer and wanted to attack him during the concert. He had to leave the stage in a hurry. Thanks to the perfectly functioning security service, worse was prevented. And, and, and...

Claus: Thank you very much for the interview.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)