Roland van Campenhout released new album “Segovia at the Wheel”

On August 8, 2025, the new album by Roland van Campenhout will be released with “Segovia at the Wheel”. It comprises twelve titles and is available as a CD, LP and digital download.

The album is thematically inspired by the figure of the “Hobo”, a wandering worker from US history who traveled on freight trains without a permanent residence. Van Campenhout combines this perspective with biographical elements. He says of his work: “I’ve been traveling across this planet for decades. It does not fail to make my sound change.”

Influences from psychedelic and jazz

In addition to blues and folk, there are influences from psychedelic, jazz, Far Eastern music and North African sound traditions. Van Campenhout describes his style itself as a “mantra blues” or “electronic voodoo swamp with haiku poetry”.

Van Campenhout, who turned 81 on July 25, is one of the formative figures of the Belgian blues and folk music. In his career, which began in the 1960s, he worked with Rory Gallagher, Tim Hardin and Leo Kottke. Later there were cooperation with younger Belgian musicians: inside like Sioen and Helmut Lotti.

Recourse to early influences

In its mood, the album refers to productions such as Ry Cooders Soundtrack to “Paris, Texas” or to artists such as Captain Beefheart, Tom Waits and Dr. John. According to van Campenhout, it also reflects its musical origins: “Originally I come from jazz and of course from folk sounds á la Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie or Joni Mitchell.” In addition to musical role models, he also mentions the Beatnik literature by Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs as formative for his artistic attitude.

Track list

1. Seldom Lakes Slim (only a hobo)
2. My Fear
3. Back home to you
4. I’m just a Lucky so and so
5. Camel radio
6. Seven String Banjo
7. The Book of Changes
8. Raga in Rage
9. Excuse me
10. Buddha Box on Parade
11. Segovia at the Wheel
12. Interlude

“Segovia at the Wheel” is a review of van Campenhout’s previous development, but also an expression of its openness to new influences. The trip, he indicates, has not yet ended.