Archive for September, 2010

(Info from wikipedia, label)

Close friends through childhood, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel met in elementary school in 1953. They began performing together in high school as Tom and Jerry, with Simon as Jerry Landis (whose last name he borrowed from a girl he had been dating) and Garfunkel as Tom Graph (so called because he was fond of tracking (“graphing”) hits on the pop charts).

Both Simon and Garfunkel have acknowledged the tremendous impact of The Everly Brothers on their style, and many of their early songs (including their first recorded song “Hey, Schoolgirl”) bear the mark of this influence.

This archival release is made of recordings, starting from as early as 1957; surfs through alternate takes, unreleased sessions and recordings under the Cousins, Mystics, Tico & Triumphs moniker.

Track List:
CD1
01. The Girl For Me – 1:56
02. Hey Schoolgirl – 2:16
03. Dancin’ Wild – 2:20
04. True Or False – 2:12
05. Teenage Fool – 2:49
06. Our Song – 1:57
07. Two Teenagers – 2:23
08. That’s My Story – 2:29
09. (Pretty Baby) Don’t Say Goodbye – 2:02
10. Baby Talk – 2:07
11. Lookin’ At You – 1:57
12. I’m Lonesome – 2:01
13. Annabelle – 2:00
14. Loneliness – 2:15
15. Beat Love – 2:10
16. Dream Alone – 2:21
17. Just A Boy – 2:10
18. Shy – 2:30
19. I’d Like To Be – 2:08
20. Play Me A Sad Song – 2:19
21. It Means A Lot To Them – 2:09
22. Private World – 2:50
23. Please Forgive Me – 2:33
24. I’m Lonely – 2:15
25. I Wish I Weren’t In Love – 2:01
26. Surrender, Please Surrender – 2:08
27. Fightin’ Mad – 2:05
28. The Lone Teen Ranger – 2:18
29. Lisa – 2:03
30. Carlos Dominguez – 2:49
31. He Was My Brother – 3:05
CD2
01. Just To Be With You – 2:37
02. Ask Me Why – 1:55
03. All Through The Night – 2:33
04. (I Begin) To Think Again Of You – 2:27
05. Let Me Steal Your Heart Away – 2:16
06. Motorcycle – 2:07
07. I Don’t Believe Them – 2:04
08. Express Train – 2:16
09. Wildflower – 2:34
10. Cry Little Boy Cry – 2:35
11. Get Up And Do The Wobble – 2:30
12. Cards Of Love – 2:15
13. Noise – 2:01
14. Tijuana Blues – 2:29
15. Simon Says – 2:30
16. Flame – 2:22
17. Beat Love – 2:08
18. Dreams Can Come True – 2:31
19. Up And Down The Stairs – 1:59
20. Back Seat Driver – 2:01
21. Wow Cha Cha Cha – 1:49
22. A Charmed Life – 4:08
23. Sleepy, Sleepy Baby #1 – 2:26
24. Sleepy, Sleepy Baby #2 – 2:29
25. That Forever Kind – 2:31
26. Lighthouse Point #1 – 2:56
27. Lighthouse Point #2 – 2:45
28. Aeroplane Of Silver Steel – 1:52
29. Bingo – 1:31
30. Forever And After – 2:33

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Paul Simon, Simon & Garfunkel

Amon Duul II – Bee as Such (2009) (@VBR 320)

29 Sep 2010

(Review from amonduul.de)

Recorded April 2009 at Dreamscape Studio, Amon Duul 2 celebrated a highly sensitive performance, of finding back to the roots – not in the past, but essentially – seeking the new sounds and contents at the same time. No ‘kraut’, no ’70s’, but the music of the new millenium. This sound painting is one more of our unique works, containing the spirit of our time.

“Bee as Such” is currently available only through Internet download, destined to be released on physical media on a later date.

Line-up:
- Chris Karrer / guitar, violin, vocals
- John Weinzierl / guitars, synth, vocals
- Renate Knaup-Krotenschwanz / vocals
- Lother Meid / bass, vocals
- Danny Fichelscher / drums
- Jan Kahlert / percussion, vocals

Track List:
01. Mambo La Libertad – 8:34
02. Du Kommst Ins Heim – 9:23
03. Stil Standing – 8:15
04. Psychedelic Suite – 26:01

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Ozric Tentacles – Live Underslunky (1992) (@256)

28 Sep 2010

(Review from amazon)

‘Live Underslunky’ was recorded from the band’s 1991 UK tour.

Highlights include “Erpland”, “White Rhino Tea”, “Sunscape”, “O-1″ and the fifteen-minute encore “Ayurvedic”.

Line-up:
- Ed Wynne / guitar, synth
- Joie Hinton / synth
- John Egan / flute
- Merv Pepler / drums
- Zia Geelani / bass

Track List:
01. Dots Thots – 7:54
02. Og-Ha-Be – 9:28
03. Erpland – 5:32
04. White Rhino Tea – 5:48
05. Bizarre Bazaar – 4:04
06. Sunscape – 7:50
07. Erpsongs – 3:49
08. Snakepit – 3:21
09. Kick Muck – 5:19
10. O-I – 4:59
11. Ayurvedic – 14:46

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Ed Wynne, Joie Hinton, Ozric Tentacles

Bad Company – Live Albuquerque 1976 (@256)

27 Sep 2010

12 comments

(Review from allmusic, wikipedia)

Most Bad Company Fans have been waiting more than 30 years for a live album from the original band line-up, this first official live album was released in 2006, featuring Mick Ralphs’ private recordings, but due to legal dispute was withdrawn shortly after its release.

In 1976, riding high on the success of their Run with the Pack album, Bad Company embarked on their third U.S. tour. The Albuquerque gig fell early in their itinerary, the band was still fresh and raring to go.

Bad Company power through 16 songs, drawn from all first three of their albums. Fans are treated to fabulous versions of “Can’t Get Enough,” “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Young Blood,” and, of course, the group’s eponymous theme song.

On record, Bad Company were an unadulterated, hard stompin’ band, whose sound was built on unquenchable beats, thick bass, hefty rhythm guitar, and Ralphs’ mortar fire leads. On-stage, the band added another level of excitement, which fed to and from the crowd.

Line-up:
- Paul Rodgers / vocals, piano, guitar, harmonica
- Mick Ralphs / lead guitar, background vocals
- Boz Burrell / bass
- Simon Kirke / drums

Track List:
CD1
01. Live For The Music – 4:47
02. Good Lovin’ Gone Bad – 4:19
03. Deal With The Preacher – 5:12
04. Ready For Love – 7:15
05. Wild Fire Woman – 6:39
06. Young Blood – 3:11
07. Sweet Little Sister – 4:24
08. Simple Man – 4:51
09. Shooting Star – 6:48
10. Seagull – 4:07
CD2
01. Run With The Pack – 6:49
02. Feel Like Making Love – 5:46
03. Rock Steady – 5:03
04. Honey Child – 5:01
05. Can’t Get Enough – 8:50
06. Bad Company – 8:33

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Bad Company, Boz Burrell, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke

Sameti – Hungry for Love (1974) (@256)

26 Sep 2010

(Review from spincds.com, rocktimes.de)

Sameti’s second album “Hungry for Love” from 1974 offers a crispy and pumping sound, the guys seems to listen too much to Rolling Stones and to the at that time hip glamrock.

Only the opener “Intro” offers of a collage of voices and a little rudimentary psychedelic. With “Do You Love Me” the band goes directly to solid rock, setting the tone for the rest of the album. The guitar riff is relatively, yet effective.

“Hungry for Love” (as the title suggests) is a rock-driven attack, quite different from their early Amon Duul II like first album.

The band disintegrated shortly after the album, Christian Thiele gathered a new line-up for an upcoming third album. Recordings were made at the end of 1975 but weren’t realized as a full album at the time and yet to be published still.

Line-up:
- Christian Thiele (Shrat) / lead vocals
- Jorg Evers / guitar, vocals
- Bernd Weber / guitar, vocals
- Robby Heibl / bass, vocals
- Daniel Alumo / drums

Track List:
01. A) Intro B) Do You Really Love Me – 4:19
02. We’re Gonna Make You Feel Allright – 3:26
03. Sweet Angel – 5:39
04. Peppermint Bar – 2:46
05. Ain’t Got No Peace – 4:16
06. Save Me – 3:38
07. I’m Not A Loser – 3:49
08. Baby Please Love Me – 4:15
09. More And More – 8:40

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Amon Duul, Sameti

Sameti – Sameti (1972) (@256)

25 Sep 2010

(Review from progarchives.com, rateyourmusic.com)

After the recording of Amon Duul II’s “Yeti”, Dave Anderson leaves the band to join Hawkwind. Dieter Serfas and Christian Shart do the same and decide to form their own project called Sameti in Munich in 1971.

The material offered here can be described roughly as highly drug-inspired free-form and hard-edged space rock that is KRAUTrock in its real literal sense if choosing its meaning of weed.

First side of the original vinyl contains four quite well-done loosely-structured tracks with great dual guitar and some occasional sax solos. ide two is occupied by the 22 minute improvised piece “Anotherwaytosee” which is really remarkable, incorporating spaced out and heavy passages. It wouldn’t have been out of place on “Tanz der Lemminge” for example.

Line-up:
- Klaus Gotzner / drums
- Walter Bratengeier / guitar
- Eckart Voggenreiter / bass, acoustic guitar
- Christian “Shrat” Thiele / vocals, percussion
with
- Robert Eliscu / oboe, flute
- Jurgen Benz / saxophone

Track List:
01. Get Up – 3:33
02. The Useless Appendix – 4:52
03. Big Fat Brother Joint – 8:45
04. To My Confidential Lady – 5:32
05. Anotherwaytosee Improvisation – 22:18

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Amon Duul, Sameti

18 Karat Gold – All-Bumm (1973) (@256)

24 Sep 2010

(Review from Crack in the Cosmic Egg, progarchives.com)

An early supergroup borne out of the prolific Munich scene fronted by American-German Klaus Ebert. The idea behind 18 Karat Gold seems to have been to present Krautrock in a commercial dilute form to the pop public. Four bright stars of the German kraut/jazz stage were inspired to join into a project for the sheer sound of “easy music”.

Highlights include the guitar tune in “Going Home” (which can be considered symphonic); a bit more heavy and instrumental “Goldrush”; even more symphonic in its tempered, but warm sound would be “Star-Eyed”, instead the vocals ease out yet again, while the guitar contrasts with a decent psych-like flavour.

This sole album is very much like late 1970s Amon Duul II and indeed features band members who would all work with Amon Duul II at some time or another.

Line-up:
- Jorg Evers / guitar
- Keith Forsey / drums
- Klaus Ebert / guitar
- Lothar Meid / bass

Track List:
01. Going Home – 4:48
02. Come On Monday – 2:05
03. Flying – 5:19
04. Goldrush – 2:58
05. Star – 4:32
06. Dr. Stein (5%) – 3:48
07. Elektric Infected – 5:12
08. I Am Just A Man – 2:59
09. See Me In Your Dreams – 4:01
10. If My Guru Would Know – 3:40
11. Cool – 2:53

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Amon Duul

Amon Duul III (UK) – Fool Moon (1989) (@256)

23 Sep 2010

(Review from rateyourmusic.com, progarchives.com)

Most of Amon Duul III (UK)’s last album contains long, instrumental jams which, even if a little repetitive, have a strong psychedelic vibe to them (particularly the last track, with loads of sitar).

“Haupmotor” is the longest track in town. With its 6 minutes of introduction, just crowd noises and some birds whistling; it hints at some of Amon Duul II’s most infamous “suites”.

The relatively short jam of “The Tribe” has a very nostalgic 70s feel, augmented by a shiny and spacey 80s production and nice playing.

Line-up:
- John Weinzierl / guitar
- Dave Anderson / bass
- Guy Evans / drums
- Julie Wareing / vocals
with
- Robert Calvert / vocals

Track List:
01. Who Who – 6:55
02. The Tribe – 7:20
03. Tik Tok – 8:06
04. Haupmotor – 16:51
05. Hymn For The Hardcore – 4:15

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul III, Robert Calvert

Amon Duul III (UK) – Die Losung (1989) (@256)

21 Sep 2010

4 comments

(Review from progarchives)

“Die losung” (“The solution”) is the third album released by the Amon Duul III and arguably the most interesting. The members include Guy Evans, the drummer with the classic Van Der Graaf generator line up plus a couple of Ozric Tentacles members. Of even greater interest though is the presence of the late Robert Calvert of Hawkwind, who provides the lyrics and lead vocals.

The music here is generally more accessible that that of the other Amon Duul configurations, with strong melodies and choruses. Calvert’s vocals are slightly distorted and sometimes multi-tracked. Instrumentally, it is the guitar of John Weinzierl and the synth of Joie Hinton which dominates, with both contributing fine performances.

The opening “Big wheel” has all the ingredients of a potential single for the 1980′s, with hints of bands such as Japan, Talk Talk, the Human League and even a bit of Bowie. “Adrenalin rush” moves into Billy Idol territories, with passing similarities to “Rebel yell” and songs of that ilk. The song, which once again has single potential, includes a superb but all too brief guitar break. “Visions of fire” is reminiscent of Bowie’s “Ashes to ashes”, even down to the accented vocals, here though the guitar solo is allowed to develop far more satisfactorily.

The feature track is the 8 minute “Drawn to the flame”, where Calvert’s vocals are supported by Julie Wareing. Calvert’s slightly off key delivery suits this pulsating piece perfectly The song is allowed to develop through a more intricate structure into something of an epic. Wareing assumes the role of lead vocalist for two remaining tracks, giving those songs a different feel to the rest of the album. The 80′s atmosphere remains, but the tracks seem even more straightforward and commercial. That said, “They call it home” has some good riffs generating a fine overall sound.

The song entitled “Drawn to the flame part 2″ is in fact simply an alternative version of “Drawn to the flame”. There are significant differences in the two versions though, this rendition resisting the temptation to lift the tempo for much longer.

In all, while those seeking the difficult prog of Amon Duul/Amon Duul II’s early years will have to look elsewhere, this is something of a lost gem. Not only do we get some of Robert Calvert’s most accessible work, we also find a collection of well crafted pop progressive.

Line-up:
- John Weinzierl / guitar
- Dave Anderson / bass
- Guy Evans / drums
- Julie Wareing / vocals
with
- Robert Calvert / vocals
- Ed Wynne / guitar
- Joie Hinton / synthesizers

Track List:
01. Big Wheel – 5:09
02. Urban Indian – 5:30
03. Adrenalin Rush – 5:21
04. Visions of Fire – 5:59
05. Drawn to the Flame (part 1) – 8:07
06. They Call it Home – 4:40
07. Die Losung – 3:36
08. Drawn to the Flame (part 2) – 7:34

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul III, Ed Wynne, Guy Evans, Joie Hinton, Robert Calvert

Amon Duul III (UK) – Meetings With Menmachines, Unremarkable Heroes Of The Past (1984) (@256)

20 Sep 2010

(Review from progarchives.com)

The previous release by this band, ‘Hawk Meets Penguin’, was more in line with Krautrock and a great, spacey album in itself, but with this album, we have quite the pop album, but not without its spacey characteristics.

Almost each song starts with an electronic synth-scape that really has no relation to the song itself, but seems fitting never-the-less. The overall sound of the songs themselves is clearly at the rock/pop end of the scale, with solid drumming, strong and busy bass playing, the guitaring is mostly rhythm with few solos, synths and vocals.

Line-up:
- John Weinzerl / guitar
- Dave Anderson / bass
- Guy Evans / drums
- Julie Wareing / vocals

Track List:
01. Pioneer – 4:17
02. The Old One – 5:02
03. Marcus Leid – 9:43
04. The Song – 4:11
05. Things Aren’t Always What They Seem – 4:23
06. Burundi Drummer’s Nightmare – 8:36

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul III, Guy Evans

Amon Duul III (UK) – Hawk Meets Penguin (1981) (@256)

18 Sep 2010

6 comments

(Review from progarchives.com, spacerockreviews.com, rateyourmusic.com)

The British Amon Duul (commonly dubbed as Amon Duul III) was formed in 1981 in Wales by guitar player John Weinzierl and bass player Dave Anderson, who both had been members of the early Amon Duul II. Their first album title is from their nicknames, Weinzierl (Hawk) meeting Anderson (Penguin).

“One Moment Of Anger Is Two Pints Of Blood” is, despite its title, a pleasingly pastoral and bucolic work. The jamming, featuring a female voice, is occasionally interrupted by brief composed pieces of competent jazz-rock.

“Meditative Music From The Third Before The Producers” is divided into two parts (probably fit the LP side), although they do blend together as one long 23 1/2 minute track. With wordless chanting, percussive sounds are disposed in a totally random sonic affair. A German speaking voice in what seems to be a megaphone begins to monopolize the listening experience at times, reminiscent of “Deutsch Nepal” from Wolf City. Also spacey synth-like waves flooding are very atmospheric.

Line-up:
- John Weinzerl / guitar
- Dave Anderson / bass
- Guy Evans / drums
- Julie Wareing / vocals

Track List:
01. One Moment’s Anger Is Two Pints Of Blood – 12:41
02. Meditative Music From The Third Before The Producers Part 1 – 5:17
03. Meditative Music From The Third Before The Producers Part 2 – 18:14

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul III, Guy Evans

Amon Duul II – Flawless (1997) (@320)

17 Sep 2010

8 comments

(Review from rateyourmusic.com)

This 1997 record is another compilation of “enhanced” and remixed versions and partially a collection of new or unreleased material.

The previously unreleased tracks are: “Jam ’71″, a long jam from 1971 which is basically a variation on the themes showcased in Tanz Der Lemminge’s fourth side; “Jim Hai Jam UK ’96″ is another jam, but from 1996, of which an edited version was present in the “Live in Tokyo” set. “Nada Cairo” and “Nada Moonshine Union” can be considered two remixes of Nada Moonshine #’s title track. “What You Gonna Do” is a re-recorded version of the 1973 Utopia song. “Surrounded by the Stars” and “Dancing on Fire” are both recordings from the early 1990s. Edited versions of “Kiss Ma EEE” and “La Paloma” (only the theme from La Krautoma without the final jam) are also present.

Track List:
01. Nada Cairo – 6:48
02. Surrounded by the stars – 7:26
03. Castaneda da dream (In another world) – 3:45
04. Wie der wind am ende einer strasse – 5:43
05. Kiss ma eee – 5:16
06. Cerberus – 4:17
07. Speed inside my shoes – 2:52
08. La Paloma – 2:35
09. Nada moonshine union – 6:56
10. Dancing on fire – 5:20
11. Jam 71 – 9:17
12. What you gonna do – 5:00
13. Jim hai jam UK 96 – 6:21

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – Eternal Flashback (1996) (@256)

16 Sep 2010

(Info from Root and Traces)

This album was originally given away free to people who ordered enough other Amon Duul albums from the record label with material reworked by members of the group into one seamless space rock epic.

Some of this material originated from some embryonic ur-düül in 1967 while most of the rest were said to be alternate takes of classic düül sounds mixed with some re-recordings.

Track List:
01. Eternal Flashback – 67:49

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – Kobe Reconstructions (1996) (@192)

14 Sep 2010

(Review from rateyourmusic.com)

Kobe (Reconstruction) was apparently published as a benefit album to help the victims of the Kobe earthquake that caused some heavy damage in Japan.

Just one lengthy 65-minute track here that’s apparently been formed with continuous audio editing and mixing of several vintage Amon Duul II cuts such as “Hallimasch”, “Kupplungen”, the cosmic “Kronwinkel” along with unreleased jam snippets from 1969/1970.

Track List:
01. Hallimasch/Kupplungen/Kronwinkel/Verwandschatt/Trabbi Town/Tramm BF 309 – 65:41

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – Live in Tokyo (1996) (@256)

13 Sep 2010

(Review from progarchives.com)

Having split up in the 1970′s, abortive attempts were made thereafter to reform Amon Duul II. In 1996, the efforts were finally successful, and a reformation did actually take place. Live in Tokyo documents that reunion, with many of the former band members returning for the event.

The set list covers the band’s history, from the early 1970′s through to 1995′s Nada moonshine number, with no less than six tracks from that album being included. Many of these later songs are presented here in abbreviated format as a sort of taster for the album, although Kiss ma eee retains its full length. The early days are given relatively brief coverage, but Wolf city from 1973 does provide several songs.

The performances are credibly tight, with songs such as “Deutsch Nepal” having an almost symphonic quality. At times, it sounds as if Marianne Faithful has joined as a guest vocalist, “Casaneda Dadream” being unintentionally amusing in this respect.

Some of the song titles have been modified, “Dry your ears” being more familiar as “Race From Here To Your Ears”, and more specifically the ‘Riding on a cloud’ section of that track. On a similar tack, “La paloma” borrows its melody from Engelbert’s Spanish eyes!

The highlight is the 8½ minute epic “Surrounded by the Stars”, the opener of “Wolf City” album. The frantic violin and synth workouts offer definitive reassurance that there is life in the old dog yet. To ensure that the fans go home happy, “Archangel Thunderbird” is given a spirited run through towards the end of the gig.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable set. The musicianship is great and the overall atmosphere refreshingly different.

Line-up:
- Renate Knaup / vocals
- Lothar Meid / bass, vocals
- Chris Karrer / guitars, vocals, violin, sax
- Falk U. Rogner / lights & vision
- Jan Kahlert / percussion, vocals
- Felice Occhionero / guitar, vocals
- Michael Ruff / keyboards
- Wolf Wolff / drums

Track List:
01. Nada Moonshine – 5:46
02. Black Pearls Of Wisdom – 3:59
03. Dry Your Ears – 2:12
04. Castaneda Dream – 5:30
05. Deutsch Nepal – 2:56
06. Kiss Ma Eee – 8:02
07. Speed Inside My Shoes – 4:42
08. Lilac Lilies – 4:51
09. Wolf City – 5:28
10. La Paloma – 1:50
11. Flowers Of The Orient – 5:44
12. Surrounded By The Stars – 8:26
13. Archangel Thunderbird – 3:21
14. Jam Hai – 5:44

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – Nada Moonshine # (1995) (@256)

11 Sep 2010

4 comments

(Review from starling.rinet.ru, holeintheweb.com)

In 1994 Chris Karrer reformed Amon Duul II and in 1995 came this new studio album. Thematically, Nada Moonshine is said to be revolving around the practical doctrines of Carlos Castaneda.

There isn’t a whole lotta ‘psycho jamming’ on here, even if many of the tracks exceed the eight-minute mark; the record is just as pop-oriented as their 1972-75 albums. But, of course, not pop in the Madonna way or the Fleetwood Mac way. Essentially, the record is accessible, and that’s where its normalness ends. They also clearly want us to know they hadn’t been spending their time in a musical vacuum, either: there’s a lot of hip-hop, techno, and rave influences reflected in huge chunks of Nada Moonshine #. However, it never looks like they’re enslaved by these influences.

The songs may be long, but they’re never boring. This is because way too often they aren’t just “songs”, but mini-symphonies, or, rather, mini-musical journeys that start out in one place and then, by the end, turn out to have ended up in some entirely different location. The title track, for instance, starts out as a trippy electronic nightmare, with brutal samples of ‘Wake up!’ introducing the song and electronically enhanced vocals assuring you it’s gonna be one of those robotic pseudo-dance numbers. Then, two minutes into the song, Knaup starts singing a gorgeous artsy melody – counteracted by male rapped vocals and then reaching climax in the visionary singalong chorus. It takes some time to realize some of the sections are repeated, because each time they are, they’re enhanced with something entirely different – a pretty wall of chimes, a brutal bassline, a scary electronic guitar solo, something like that: the eight minutes are gone by in a flash.

Each and every one of ten songs has its own perfect individuality carved out, yet somehow they all mesh together quite well.

Line-up:
- Chris Karrer / lead guitar, violin, sax, vocals
- Renate Knaup / vocals
- Peter Leopold / drums, gongs, cymbals
- Lothar Meid / synths, bass, vocals

Track List:
01. Casteneda Da Dream – 7:47
02. Nada Moonshine Gate – 8:44
03. Speed Inside My Shoes – 4:22
04. Sirens in Germanistan – 5:56
05. Ca Va – 4:56
06. Kiss Ma Eee – 8:21
07. Carpetride In Velvet Night – 5:18
08. Black Pearl Of Wisdom – 5:05
09. Lilac Lillies – 5:39
10. Guadalquivir – 4:56

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – Vortex (1981) (@256)

10 Sep 2010

(Review from progarchives.com)

Three years after audiences left them for dead, the Düül return with a surprisingly vital reformation effort in Vortex.

The sound is somewhere between “Vive La Trance” and “Made in Germany”. The cabaret sound returns for “Mona”, but most of the sound is a lot more intense, as on the pulsating title song and the dramatic “Gestern ist das Heute von Morgen”.

This is probably the most Renate-heavy of all the albums, she sings lead (or co-lead) on every song (even the “instrumental” title track).

Line-up:
- Renate Knaup / vocals, tambourine
- Jorg Evers / bass, acoustic & electric guitars, synthesizer
- Daniel Fichelscher / drums, acoustic guitar, percussion
- Chris Karrer / acoustic & electric guitars, violin, saxes
- Falk U. Rogner / synthesizers
with
- Lothar Meid / bass (6)
- John Weinzierl / guitar (7)
- Stefan Zauner / piano, synthesizers

Track List:
01. Vortex – 5:48
02. Holy West – 5:10
03. Die 7 fetten Jahre – 4:32
04. Wings Of The Wind – 4:49
05. Mona – 5:10
06. We Are Machine – 5:19
07. Das Gestern ist das Heute von Morgen – 4:36
08. Vibes In The Air – 6:29
09. Whatever (Bonus) – 8:36
10. (Ras)Putin in der Badewanne (Bonus) – 9:19

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – Only Human (1978) (@256)

09 Sep 2010

(Review from cduniverse.com)

With John Weinzierl leaving, the band is reduced to a quartet.

On this 1978 outing, Amon Duul II combines new elements with the typical Amon Düül sound. You can hear westcoast, disco riffs, arabian and spanish folk elements, but still it sounds experimental, cranky and unique.

After this album, Amon Duul II was no more.

Line-up:
- Klaus Ebert / bass, acoustic guitar, vocals
- Chris Karrer / acoustic & electric guitars, violin, Soprano sax, vocals
- Peter Leopold / drums
- Stefan Zauner / keyboards, acoustic & electric guitars, vocals

Track List:
01. Another Morning – 4:04
02. Don’t Turn Too Stone – 3:56
03. Kirk Morgan – 3:22
04. Spaniards & Spacemen – 5:50
05. Kismet – 7:58
06. Pharao – 4:46
07. Ruby Lane – 3:54

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – Almost Alive… and Looking Fine (1977) (@256)

08 Sep 2010

9 comments

(Review from cduniverse.com)

With the six tracks on ‘Almost Alive’, the band sounds more mainstream, you can always feel the vibe of the early 70s. It is what the title already says, an album with the spontaneous, uncaged music.

Highlights on this album are the dark and apocalyptic sounding ‘Ain´t Today Tomorrow´s Yesterday’, one of the most inventive instrumentals that Amon Duul II ever recorded and ‘Live In Jericho’, which ends up in a madly jam-Session.

The three bonus tracks are not from the same era as the band that recorded this album and don’t have as much relevance.

Line-up:
- Peter Leopold / drums
- John Weinzierl / acoustic & electric guitars
- Chris Karrer / acoustic & electric guitars, sax, vocals (3)
- Klaus Ebert / bass, acoustic & electric guitars, vocals (1, 2)
- Stefan Zauner / keyboards, synthesizers, vocals (5)
- Claudja Barry / backing vocals (2)
- Jorg Evers / string arrangements (3)
- Keith Forsey / percussion (1)

Track List:
01. One Blue Morning – 7:26
02. Good Bye My Love – 8:12
03. Ain’t Today Tomorrow’s Yesterday – 7:18
04. Hallelujah – 4:17
05. Feeling Uneasy – 6:10
06. Live In Jericho – 12:08
07. Cosmic Insects [Bonus] – 6:13
08. Live In Obergurl [Bonus] – 1:40
09. Kitchen Jam [Bonus] – 6:57

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – Pyragony X (1976) (@256)

07 Sep 2010

9 comments

Amon Duul II is down to 5 piece here, on its ‘Tenth’ album. Only original members being guitar/sax/violin player Chris Karrer, guitarist John Weinzierl and Drummer Pete Leopold, with new members Stefan Zauner (Keyboards/vocals) and Klaus Ebert (Bass/vocals) providing a more stream-lined approach to composition and the tendency to head towards commercial territory.

The opening tune, ‘Flower Of The Orient’ holds promise, really a pot-pouri of great sounds, lively colours and Eastern flavours, but by the time it actually ‘takes off ‘, it fades with some wonderful violin lines. ‘Merlin’ rocks with little magic actually, but contains some Mellotron choirs to boost, ‘Crystal Hexagram’ is a melodic instrumental with an excellent keyboard intro and a laid-back rhythm – not spectacular, but interesting. ‘Lost In Space’ starts out ‘poppy’, but ends quite spacey, with a very competent mini-moog solo.

‘Sally The Seducer’ and ‘Telly Vision’ are both short songs, incorporating great keys, amusing lyrics and odd time sigs. Karrer’s 7 and a half minute ‘The Only Thing’ is a guitar-oriented track which chuggs along nicely, but not much in the way of technical instrumental display, and ‘Capuccino’ is a shorter pop-song.

This direction the band has chosen, a mainstream progressive sound with an inclination toward pop, may not be to everyone’s taste, but the album holds together fairly well.

Line-up:
- Klaus Ebert / bass, acoustic & electric guitars, vocals
- Chris Karrer / acoustic & electric guitars, violin, Soprano sax, vocals
- Peter Leopold / drums
- John Weinzierl / acoustic & electric guitars, vocals
- Stefan Zauner / keyboards, acoustic & electric guitars, vocals

Track List:
01. Flower Of The Orient – 6:04
02. Merlin – 4:28
03. Crystal Hexagram – 5:41
04. Lost In Space – 4:16
05. Sally The Seducer – 3:05
06. Telly Vision – 4:09
07. The Only Thing – 7:32
08. Capuccino – 3:09

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – Made in Germany (1975) (@256)

06 Sep 2010

4 comments

(Review from progarchives.com)

The group continue their lurch toward the mainstream taking a left turn into conceptual territory with this 1975 double album.

A curious mix of straight rock with a conceptual bent, cabaret-styled numbers (“Blue Grotto”), folk-rock and curious electronic bagatelles acting as the sonic glue holding it all together. Nando Tischer sang lead on much of the album.

Apart from Chris Karrer’s lone spotlight piece, the futuristic eight-minute “Mr. Kraut’s Jinx”, there’s little here that resembles the early Amon Duul II. Much of it’s a very tongue-in-cheek overview of German history-just check out the “interview” that precedes “La Krautoma”, itself a cheeky version of an Argentine tango (“La Paloma”) that enjoyed huge popularity in 1950s Germany.

Renate comes off looking best here, with numerous spotlight pieces (“Metropolis”, “Blue Grotto”, the folkish “Wide Angle”). She would leave the band after the recording of this album.

Line-up:
- Robby Heibl / bass, violin, acoustic & electric guitars, vocals
- Chris Karrer / guitar, violin, banjo, vocals
- Renate Knaup / vocals
- Peter Leopold / drums, percussion
- Falk U. Rogner / organ, synthesizers
- Nando Tischer / acoustic & electric guitars, vocals
- John Weinzierl / acoustic & electric guitars
with
- Thor Baldursson / keyboards
- Heinz Becker / percussion, tympani, gong
- Lee Harper / trumpet, brass section
- Bobby Jones / saxophone solo (2/4)
- Jurgen S. Korduletsch / backing vocals
- Helmut Sonnleitner / first violin

Track List:
01. Overture – 5:12
02. Wir Wollen – 1:32
03. Wilhelm Wilhelm – 3:10
04. SM II Peng – 2:16
05. Elevators Meet Whispering – 1:26
06. Metropolis – 3:37
07. Ludwig – 2:32
08. The King’s Chocolate Waltz – 2:28
09. Blue Grotto – 3:33
10. Mr.Kraut’s Jinx – 8:44
11. Wide Angle – 4:06
12. Three-Eyed Overdrive – 1:17
13. Emigrant Song – 3:21
14. Loosey Girls – 5:13
15. Top of the Mud – 3:45
16. Dreams – 4:08
17. Gala Grome – 3:52
18. 5.5.55 – 1:39
19. La Krautoma – 6:08
20. Excessive Spray – 1:41

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – Hijack (1974) (@256)

05 Sep 2010

(Review from progarchives.com)

Bassist Lothar Meid who had returned to the band from 18 Karat to join the original lineup for the Hijack project. In fact most of the album was the brainchild of Meid’s who contributed the orchestral arrangements. The album’s name even comes from Meid’s nickname which was Jack.

With its Beatlesque string intro on the opening track, it is immediately evident to those familiar with previous work from the band that this is going to be a different Amon Duul II record.

If the streamlining that occurred on the band’s 1972 Carnival In Babylon album caused a stir amongst fans then the cohesive song structures, vocal harmonies and orchestral arrangements on Hijack, would prove to be even more mutinying and harder to swallow.

By the time sessions began for Hijack, Amon Duul II had pretty much abandoned the free form cosmic experimental spaced out collage approach to their music and the album marked a period of a band in transition and introspection.

Although not a concept album, each track on the album has its own special individual message and musical identity making it one of the most diverse and interesting records in the band’s catalogue.

Even so, there are echoes of Amon Duul II’s acid soaked past on tracks such as the psyched out “Explode Like A Star” presented in two sections with cool spacey synths and female vocal interpolations. The instrumental “Da Guadaloop” with its tripped out primordial rythms predates disco with a psychedelic twist replete with elephant roars and female drill sergeant commands amongst other sonic novelties It is certainly the most bizarre track.

Apart from these two cosmic excursions Amon Duul had never sounded so commercial but at the same time retained some lyrical dark visions they were known for. Other tracks offer chasms of contrast fluctuating from comical proportions to pensive atmospheres.

It’s unfortunate that the acid drenched relentless freaking of earlier Amon Duul II albums overshadow the band’s later recording career. Hijack is a testament to the songwriting and actual musical abilities of them.

Line-up:
- Chris Karrer / acoustic & electric guitars, violin, Soprano sax, vocals
- Renate Knaup-Krötenschwanz / vocals
- Peter Leopold: drums, percussion, acoustic guitar
- Lothat Meid / bass, acoustic guitar, vocals, string arrangements
- Falk U. Rogner / synthesizers
- John Weinzierl / acoustic & electric guitars
with
- Chris Balder / strings
- Thor Baldursson / keyboards
- Bob Chatwin / trumpet
- Lee Harper / trumpet
- Hermann Jalowitzki / snare drum
- Bobby Jones / sax
- Olaf Kübler / flute, Soprano sax
- Rudy Nagora / sax
- Ludwig Popp / Waldhorn
- Wild Willy / accordion, percussion, vocals

Track List:
01. I Can’t Wait (Part 1 + Part 2) – Mirror – 11:07
02. Traveller – 4:28
03. You’re Not Alone – 6:57
04. Explode Like A Star – 4:02
05. Da Guadeloop – 7:03
06. Lonely Woman – 4:43
07. Liquid Whisper – 3:32
08. Archy The Robot – 3:31

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – Vive La Trance (1974) (@256)

04 Sep 2010

12 comments

(Review from progarchives.com)

With “Vive la Trance”, Amon Duul II turns towards more song-structured compositions and generally shorter tracks. There is an overlay of electronics and psychedelic effects that keeps the music within the progressive realm. The guitars, violins, keyboards and percussion are effective.

The acerbic “A Morning Excuse,” the “far-out” instrumental “Im Krater Bluhn Wieder der Baume,” the powerful anti-imperialism anthem “Mozambique”, the spacey, laid-back “Apocalyptic Bore,” the infectious “Trap,” the Latin-flavoured “Manana,” and the hard rocking “Ladies Mimikry” is especially noteworthy.

Line-up:
- Robby Heibl / bass, acoustic guitar, violin, vocals
- Chris Karrer / acoustic & electric guitars, violin, saxophone, vocals
- Renate Knaup-Kroetenschwanz / vocals
- Peter Leopold / drums, percussion
- Lothar Meid / bass, vocals
- Falk U. Rogner / organ, synthesizers
- John Weinzierl / acoustic & electric guitars, vocals
with
- Desmond Bonner / backing vocals
- Keith Forsey / percussion
- Peter Kramper / synthesizers
- Olaf Kubler / percussion, saxophone

Track List:
01. A Morning Excuse – 3:20
02. Fly United – 3:30
03. Jalousie – 3:29
04. Im Krater Bluhm Wieder Die Baume – 3:08
05. Mozambique – 7:40
06. Apocolyptic Bore – 6:37
07. Dr. Jeckyll – 2:59
08. Trap – 3:35
09. Pig Man – 2:38
10. Manana – 3:23
11. Ladies Mimikry – 4:16

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert Plus (1973) (@256)

03 Sep 2010

7 comments

(Review from rateyourmusic.com)

These live recordings from a BBC broadcast in 1973 show the true live essence of Amon Düül II, based more on the research of a trippy atmosphere than on technical values: while the rhythm section is very tight, the guitar and vocal parts are stunningly raw, deconstructed, sometimes evidently out of tune.

It’s obvious that this treatment is most likely to exalt the earlier material than the ‘structural’ phase of the band: so “Kanaan” and “Dem Guten, Schonen, Wahren” are given botched but valid renditions.

This edition of the album also includes two bonus tracks from the “Tanz der Lemmings” sessions.

Line-up:
- Renate Knaup / vocals
- Chris Karrer / guitars, violin, sax, vocals
- John Weinzierl / guitars, bass
- Danny Fischelscher / drums, guitars, bass, vocals
- Peter Leopold / drums
- Falk-U. Rogner / synthesizer-organ

Track List:
01. Ladies Mimmikry – 4:51
02. Kanaan – 4:52
03. Dem Guten, Schönen, Wahren – 5:39
04. Green Bubble Raincoated Man – 4:59
05. Manana – 4:43
06. Trap – 4:18
07. Marilyn Monroe Memorial Drums (Bonus Studio) – 11:19
08. Chewing Gum Telegram (Bonus Studio Alternate) – 3:55

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – Live in London (1972) (@256)

02 Sep 2010

9 comments

(Review from progarchives.com)

Recorded live in December 1972, this concert’s recording quality is not that great, but the quality of the music does come through well.

Starting with the blistering “Archangels Thunderbird”, reminiscent of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant song”, the casual listener’s attention is immediately caught. Renate Knaup’s vocals are something of an acquired taste, sounding a bit like Jon Anderson on helium. Instrumentally the band are tight, and entertaining. The vibrato effect is overdone at times, and can become a bit irritating.

“Improvisation”, which closes side one, finds the band suddenly in full Tangerine Dream mode. Presumably the rest of the band had a comfort break while Falk-U Rogner dabbled with his keyboard effects.

The track titles on side 2 are as entertaining as the music. “A short stop at the Transylvanian brain surgery” and “Dehypnotised toothpaste” give an idea of numerous titles to chose from (a total of 13!). The final track, “Race from here to your ears” is a lovely, almost ballad track which builds to a storming climax reminiscent of Uriah Heep’s live “Circle of Hands” ending, and complementing beautifully the opening “Archangels Thunderbird”.

Amon Duul II delivers all the goods here if you’re into the early phase of their career and it’s just about as dark as they would get before moving on in a more orthodox direction.

Line-up:
- John Weinzierl / guitars, vocals
- Lothar Meid / bass and vocals
- Chris Karrer / guitar, violin, soprano sax
- Falk-U. Rogner / organ, synthesizer
- Renate Knaup-Krotenschwanz / vocals
- Daniel Fichelscher / drums
- Peter Leopold / drums

Track List:
01. Archangles Thunderbird – 3:16
02. Eye Shaking King – 6:17
03. Soap Shop Rock – 7:32
04. Improvisation – 3:42
05. Syntelman’s March Of The Roaring Seventies – 8:06
a. Pull Down Your Mask
b. Prayer To The Silence
c. Telephonecomplex
06. Restless Skylight – Transistor – Child – 8:10
a. Landing In A Ditch
b. Dehypnotized Toothpaste
c. A Short Stop At The Transylvanian Brain Surgery
07. Race From Here To Your Ears – 4:48
a. Little Tornados
b. Riding On A Cloud
c. Paralized Paradise
08. Bavarian Soap Shop Rock (Bonus) – 17:47
09. Improvisation On Gulp A Sonata (Bonus) – 2:51

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Amon Duul, Amon Duul II

Amon Duul II – Utopia (1973) (@256)

01 Sep 2010