Monday, February 13, 2006

Bröselmaschine - Bröselmaschine (1971)

Quite possibly the pinnacle of Krautfolk, Broselmaschine is certainly tops in the folk subgenre and is recommended to those interested in the lighter side of Krautrock. Broselmaschine combines the highly talented acoustic guitar playing of Peter Bursch (a master of the instrument who has published many instructional books on the subject), romantic vocals, and a mild Eastern influence highlighted by the use of sitar and flute. The album begins with 'Gedanken', a peaceful track with a slight renaissance-era feel, featuring acoustic and electric guitar, flute and romantic lyrics. Next the group performs the Scottish traditional 'Lassie' with multi-tracked vocal harmonies. Next, 'Guitarrenstuck', is a beautiful piece played with folk guitar and a soothing female vocal. 'The Old Man's Song' seems slightly out of place due to its use of wah-wah peddle, but this gives way to some rather ominous sounding Duul-ish acoustic guitar and folk percussion. 'Schmetterling' introduces an Eastern flavor to the album and is most notable for its sitar which reminds me a little bit of mid-period Popol Vuh. Bursch's guitar playing on this track is simply masterful and the track is given an extra boost from some atmospheric mellotron. 'Nossa Bova' stands out as a folk masterpiece with its incredible guitar work, folk percussion, and female vocals. This track has a peaceful quality similar to Paradieswarts Duul, the only difference being the musical ability of Broselmaschine's members. The album was produced by Rolf Ulrich Kaiser and engineered by Dieter Dierks and was first issued on Pilz in 1971. (krautrockgroup.com)

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C.A. Quintet - Trip Through Hell (1969)

Virtually no one outside Minneapolis heard of the C.A. Quintet during their late-'60s heyday. It was their fortune (or curse) to actually reach a considerably bigger international audience when their album was reissued in the '80s. Starting as a rather conventional pop-soul/garage band, their one and only album, Trip Thru Hell (1968), was a worthy slice of dark psychedelia. With spooky organ and the occasional trumpet of singer/songwriter Ken Erwin, the group's murky and macabre vision -- dotted with trips through hell, cold spiders, Colorado mornings, and the like -- was genuinely original and chilling. Trip Thru Hell only sold 700-800 copies when it was first issued, but after gaining status among hardcore '60s psychedelic collectors, it was reissued in 1983. (allmusic.com)

Part 1 Part 2

Magma - Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh (1973)

This is probably the best place for anyone to start listening to Magma or Zeuhl music in general. Christian Vander manages to combine elements of jazz, prog, rock ,and classical with operatic vocals thrown in. The previous albums all had less of a Vander influence and definitely had a jazzier feel to them. While this one keeps some elements of jazz, it manages to combine other genres, themes, and elements that help make this Vander's magnum opus.

Although all of the lyrics are in the made-up language, Kobaian, this album is still quite enjoyable, but is still not for everyone, as evident in the other reviews of this album. Everything flows nicely together and builds. The music itself and the concept are truly excellent (althouh I'm not auite sure totally what the concept is, I'll have to reread the album notes). It's hard to pick a best a track seeing as the album all flows together, but I guess I would choose Ima Suri Dondai. It combines all of the elements, themes, and overall feel of the album in to one song.

This album is highly recommended, every Zeuhl fan must own this. It is truly a masterpiece of the sub-genre. No doubt about it.
(progarchives.com)

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Psychamania - Eccentric Sounds From The British Underground 1970-1973

This is a great compilation of psychedelic rock. I have only heard of a few of these bands before, bands like Rare Bird and Skin Alley. The tracks are taken from long forgotten, or maybe never even known in the first place, singles. The rest of the 21 tracks are from unknown, obscure bands, at least they are obscure to me! Paradise Hammer, Parson-Smith, Mosaic, Luv Machine, Frog, The Peddlers, Paul St. John are some of the bands represented on this. If you are a fan of of early 70's psychedelia you should get this.

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Goliath - Goliath (1970)

I was unable to find any real information about this band on the web, other than the band member's names, which was not much help as their names are on the dang back cover! Goliath were a short-lived but very promising UK band who were fronted by a lady singer called Linda Rothwell. The other members were Eric Eastman on drums & percussion, Joe Rosbotham on tenor sax & flute, Malcolm Grundy on guitar and John Williamson on bass. Their music had elements of rock, folk and blues, as well as an Eastern touch. A band with fantastic potential, they faded into obscurity, probably around the early 70's. Not to be confused with a US band of the same name that released an album in 1972.

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Frank Zappa & Captain Beefheart - Bongo Fury (1975)

This is somewhat of a hodge podge of different styles and lyrical themes, but the best stuff is great indeed. "Advance Romance" has some of the most intense, compelling blues playing by anyone in the history of the blues on record--the slide guitar solo by Denny Walley, harmonica solo by Beefheart, and guitar solo by Zappa are all just tremendous. The guitar soloing in the middle of "Carolina Hard Core Ecstacy" is similarly superb. The Beefheart vocal numbers are among his most conventional on record--it is up to each person's personal taste if they like them more or less than "Trout Mask Replica" and other more adventurous works. All of this album is at least quite good, and the best of it hits Olympian peaks. (amazon.com)

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Chicken Bones - Hard Rock In Concert (1973)

German band Chicken Bones put out their only album as a private release in 1976, and I don't know what was going on with them, what they were smoking, or why they gave the album such a title, because the music really doesn't rock all that hard, and it isn't a concert album! The music is performed in the good old tradition of the early seventies heavy progressive scene. Most of the album is instrumental, and offers Rainer Geuecke (guitar) plenty of opportunities to reveal his musical skills. The two longest tracks are the highlights: "Water" with the whisper of the sea and some beautiful acoustic guitar and "Factory Girl" which was in a more typical vein. The band was highly creative and often moved very close to May Blitz, early UFO or Cargo, but with lots of nice moves and flowery guitar work-outs. This album has an excellent and well-balanced sound for a private release.

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Eiliff - Eiliff (1971)

Eiliff were an early 70s prog band who released two albums before breaking up. "Eiliff" is their 1971 debut. The band seemed quite influenced by early Frank Zappa, Soft Machine, and Van Der Graff Generator. Listeners are quickly treated to countless complex, yet gritty, sections on each of the 4 tracks. There is an emphasis on sax and electric piano interplay, but the album also features excellent guitar work (although some solos border on noodling). Most of the vocals reminded me of the Mothers Of Invention. They tend to be dissonant, somewhat sloppy, yet charming. Overall, this is great stuff if you enjoy early 70s prog.

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Frame - Frame Of Mind (1972)

Strongly interconnected with fellow Marburg band Pell Mell, though the musical connection is not always so obvious, Frame exhibited a style that had very little in common with them really, being much more influenced by the late-60's heavy psychedelia and blues rock by the likes of Deep Purple or Vanilla Fudge. Only some of the rhythmic structures hinted at the Pell Mell connection. Mixing in folky styles and progressive touches into their heavy rock style, their sole album Frame Of Mind bore the unmistakable stamp of Dieter Dierks at the mixing desk, with great use of dynamics and stereo dimension. Really varied, steering away from the mainstream of early-70's rock, with many classic moves and excellent vocals, all giving it that something special, it's an album that's still amazingly fresh even today. Andy Kirnberger was a featured guest on early Pell Mell albums, after Frame's demise he went on to the vastly inferior Hardcake Special, whilst Cherry Hochdörfer and Wolfgang Klaus moved to Pell Mell.

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Clear Light - Black Roses (1967)

Kind of a minor league version of the Doors, the Clear Light was a West Coast phenomenon, and although they didn't last too long, were an interesting group. A very good slice of Los Angeles psychedelica, the Clear Light were a six-piece band that combined folk, rock, psychedelica, and even a touch of classical to their sound. The end result, though, is a little ponderous and pretentious but strangely listenable. The big hit off this album was "Mr. Blue," a psychedelic folk song written by Tom Paxton. It's over six minutes long, and a bit overbaked, but it does have an odd appeal. The finer moments are guitarist Bob Seal's psychedelic folk-rock songs, namely "With All in Mind" and "They Who Have Nothing." Singer Cliff DeYoung went on to have a successful acting career, bass player Doug Lubahan played on the early Doors albums, Dallas Taylor went on to drum for Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young & John Sebastian, and keyboardist Ralph Schuckett became one of the more popular West Coast session players and arrangers. A lot of talent in a short-lived ensemble. Dated but charming West Coast psychedelica. (Matthew Greenwald)

Download

OK that's it for this week! Later.

33 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

the albums are great for one more time! But the point is something else: Did you see what happened to hansZUNblog?
Unbelievable!
That means that if i have some friends, i cannot share my cd's or lp's with them!!!! Aha! Not even to send these by normal mail?? Some people are really dickheads (not in the outside, but inside their minds..)

4:18 PM, February 13, 2006  
Blogger GarColga said...

I see that he has quit the blog, but I have no idea what happened!

4:44 PM, February 13, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

propers due for the eiliff!

let me know if you require or desire the albums i detailed in my email.

5:06 PM, February 13, 2006  
Blogger RonM said...

Wow I hadn't heard about hanszunblog but he seemed to get very affected by loser comments. Hey get yourself a statcounter then you can see how many visitors visit your site and you can get all sorts of stats - statcounter.com is the one I use and I would recommend it.

6:26 PM, February 13, 2006  
Blogger GarColga said...

Hi dell - I'm good for albums, believe me. I have downloaded so many more than I can give a good proper listen to it's probably not funny!

zenman - that's too bad about Hans, he seemed to be a genuinely decent guy. Oh well, it's just a blog though, innit? Hopefully he'll start another one or find some other way to pass the time constructively.

Hi xtabay - I have sitemeter to count the page views and that NeoCOUNTER is just too cool.

7:44 PM, February 13, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR THE MAGMA!!! YOU ROCK!

7:53 PM, February 13, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yep, that Clear Light is a great album. Had it on vinyl once upon a past time. Black Roses is a killer song, as is Mr. Blue - which i never tired of hearing ... now i can again ... thanx. Also got Goliath - haven't listened to it yet, but i really like the descriptions you put with each offering. Really nice and helpful. Thanx for the music, the blog and all the best. Stay warm. Get's cold in them thar Idaho parts!

9:28 PM, February 13, 2006  
Blogger Marimbeiro de Zavala said...

Thanks for Bröselmaschine
It´s great

2:34 AM, February 14, 2006  
Blogger PROPIEDAD PRIVADA said...

Genial socio!!!, ya me preguntaba hasta donde puede llegar la musica, y si bien me he deleitado con varias bandas que ustedes han subido, este grupo de bandas seria uno de los mejores, sigan así, con harto progresivo, zehul y cosas raras, bien por Magma y Eliff, estupendo lo de Zappa.

5:30 AM, February 14, 2006  
Blogger GarColga said...

Hi anonymous, anonymous, giorgio, mulungo & monosam! You're welcome.

5:50 AM, February 14, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Such a fantastic blog!

6:23 AM, February 14, 2006  
Blogger GarColga said...

Thanks, anonymous!

6:31 AM, February 14, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

wonderful !!
You forgot to say that Magma is french, it's important 'cause french rock are not famous, I saw them 3 times and it's incredible !!
Do you know that english/french band: Gong ? Fantastic !!
Thank you.

Gilles

11:03 AM, February 14, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I thank you for posting the Magma CD. I have a vinyl copy and it's well worn. While I agree this may not be to everyones liking it's an important disc, equal if not superior to anything being done at that time and it still holds up well. I urge all at the very least please listen to this a few times. Even if you don't like it, it's worth your time and I don't say that about many recordings.
Deep River

3:49 PM, February 14, 2006  
Blogger GarColga said...

Hi gilles and deep river. Thanks for taking the time to make a comment!

6:32 PM, February 14, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

bongo fury is a great one, kind of forgotten compared to the zappa and beefheart's other stuff, but a beautiful record in its own way. as usual, thanks for all the sweet stuff. i'm going easy on the downloads today, iseem to have loaded up my hard drive with krautrock this week...

7:12 PM, February 14, 2006  
Blogger Dr Debaser said...

Great posts as usual: looking forward to listening to the Magma. Thanks

ps: If Hans has given up its great shame as he was putting out some great stuff.-Never take Trolls too seriously folks-it makes them seem important

Cheers

Dr Debaser

7:26 PM, February 14, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey, I really dig your blog,,,,man. It is great to be able to hear some stuff I'd probably never even hear about. Your description of BANG made me want it, but the file is giving me guff when I go to unstuff it. It either refuses the password, or begins to unstuff, then quits before it actually does anything. Am I doing something wrong? Any hints? Thanks again. I appreciate your blog very much.

OK
RC

7:31 PM, February 14, 2006  
Blogger GarColga said...

Hi mr. ian and dr debaser - thanks for the comments!

Hi RC - the password works, but it's hard to help when you give so little information. Are you using MAC or PC? Mac users have reported problems opening the passworded files, one reason I stopped using the password - try another software to unrar them is all I can tell you. You do have to have all three files in the same directory, then unrar from part 1. Maybe another MAC user can make a suggestion. If you are indeed on a MAC!! Anyway thanks for the comment.

8:25 PM, February 14, 2006  
Blogger Donno said...

Thanks for all of your great posts. Apart from the Zappa I don't think I'd ever heard of any of these but I am particularly impressed with the folk-rock of Bröselmaschine and also like very much C A Quintet (a better group name might have helped them, so uninspiring) and Frame.
I look froward to your next postings with much anticipation, meanwhile I'll enjoy my week listening some more to all I've downloaded.
Thanks again!!!

7:39 AM, February 15, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

RC, the two most common problems I have had with rar's is either the download didn't quite finish or the password is being pasted with an 'invisible' carriage return or space at end. I would recommend to download again (pay attention to what the size the downloadsize total is during and compare when done) and type in the password. As mentioned, make sure all files are in same location when starting the decompression. I do know that the 'Bang' works, again, let us know what platform! On Mac I mainly use MacPar and unrarX, unrarX decompressed the Bang file here.

My man garcolga, another stellar job. Some of these I have but they are favorites so used the occasion to whip out the CD's and play! Magma and Zappa/Beefheart, what a double feature!

Is that Baby Huey?

10:23 AM, February 15, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You guys are the best. Yes I am on a mac, I just got unrarX and BANG is extracting for me at this moment. Thanks again for all your stellar work.

OK
RC

10:31 AM, February 15, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm disappointed your shares have a very poor sound quality and the cover scans are ugly and ridiculous!!!
If you it does not have better does not put here okay
Have a very bad day your "big pig"

11:45 AM, February 15, 2006  
Blogger GarColga said...

Hi donno - glad you are finding things to download, and thanks for the positive feedback.

Hi loopy c - yes I think that is Baby Huey! And thanks for helping RC out, I know you helped at least one other guy by suggesting unrarX, but I couldn't remember the name of it.

Hi "big pig" - thanks for the feedback. Sorry you're having trouble with the files. As for the scans being ugly & ridiculous, well I can't help that! Blame the artists!

1:08 PM, February 15, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The blame does not belong to the artists... The blame is of your very bad shares!! All right that here in your bloog is free but at least it put a decent work. I waste time downloading and when I listen the sound quality is very poor and the artwork is very ugly....

Accept my suggestion buys other scanner and convert the files in 256kb or 320kb adjusting the sound level to 94db for all tracks.

A great kiss in your ass!!
"Big Pig"

3:23 PM, February 15, 2006  
Blogger GarColga said...

Well big pig I get these files where I find them, most aren't my rips or scans - a lot of these albums are hard to find or are very expensive to buy. If the quality isn't good enough for you there's not much to be done about it. So get them somewhere else - if you can!

3:57 PM, February 15, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you! Incredible blog, perfect music.
:)

1:41 AM, February 16, 2006  
Blogger AGFH said...

It's my first visit here and I must say that I am impressed!

3:00 AM, February 17, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello from Czech Republic! :-) Please, is possible to reuplodad "Led Zeppelin - Hotter Than The Hindenburg again"?

6:06 AM, February 17, 2006  
Blogger GarColga said...

Hi 3Y3B4LL - thanks! And good for Hans

Hi agfh thanks for the feedback!

Hi stan I'll re-upload that Zep album tonight or tomorrow.

6:59 AM, February 17, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi CarGolga, my name is André and i 'd like to thank you for all this great music you have been posting. CHECK YOUR E-MAIL, I SENT YOU ALBUM LINKS. i hope you enjoy them.

6:02 PM, February 17, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Many thanks for Zep!

1:27 AM, February 18, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

thanx for the FRAME lp, especially enjoyed the delicate, wistful "Winter" track five. how many other artists have great songs with this title? Rolling Stones, Judas Priest, and those are the best songs on those albums as well. some weird inspiration from our coldest season. thanx again for the obscure shares. and this "Big Pig" fumblenuts needs to brush up on his english before posting such comments.

12:13 PM, May 07, 2006  

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