Moira - Moira (1984)

Also known as "Reise Nach Ixtlan", the second release from hopelessly obscure band Moira is a monster of Krautrock fusion. Neither of their albums has had a legitimate CD reissue, and I was lucky enough to locate a rip of a bootleg CD, there is at least one real bad vinyl rip floating around. Mostly straightforward instrumental jazz-rock dominated by a Hammond organ, Moog, and some great guitar playing, some incredible drumming and brilliant bass playing. The second track is a short piece with only flute and percussion. Favorite track is "Einsame Schatten", the only track with vocals. Man these guys were good.

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Blodwyn Pig - Getting To This (1970)

Not much to say about Blodwyn Pig is there. This is their second release full of great jazz-inflected bluesrock. My rip @high VBR w/scans.

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Erlkoenig - Erlkoenig (1973)

German band Erlkoenig's only album is exceptional early 70's 'symphonic' prog, with a definite krautrock feel to it. Dominated by keyboards, which are played more aggressively than what you find in most symphonic prog. Some great guitar playing, and first-class musicianship from all members. Intense, beautiful, and dreamy at times, largely instrumental, but when vocals are used they really add to the proceedings. My rip @high VBR w/scans

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Bachdenkel - Lemmings (1970)

Bachdenkel was a British band that relocated to France and recorded two albums. This is the first, recorded in 1970 but not released until 1973. A different kind of progressive rock, kinda darkish, intense and unusual. This is a masterpiece of intelligent rock with great songs, great sounding vocals and beautiful lyrics that can be a little weird. My rip @ 320 w/scans.

Part 1 Part 2

Guitar Tablature Archive

Something for the guitar players out there. This little .rar file, about 100 megs, expands to over one gigabyte and contains an archive of guitar tabs from MySongBook.com. There are over 43,000 tabs!!! Twenty something different styles, each in their own folder so you can easily delete those that don't interest to save space. Punk, prog, reggae, classic rock, scale exercises, and on and on. Included is a version of GuitarPro4 which you will need to open the tab files. This thing is massive, and I'm not sure that people with slower computers should mess with it. It took almost eight minutes to unpack on my computer, and it takes a long time to delete folders also, there being so many files. Anyway I hope some of you can use this, and good luck with it!

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Killing Floor - Killing Floor (1970)

"The sheer toughness -- and overall derivative -- nature of Killing Floor's debut album, issued six months after Led Zeppelin's debut in 1969 on the Spark label, is a wondrous contrast to the overly slick treatment American blues were given by British artists. All of these tunes, with the exception of one, are revamped versions of songs from the blues canon with different words. The lone "cover" in the set was written by Willie Dixon titled "Woman You Need Love," the tune Zep ripped for "Whole Lotta Love." This is a raw, immediate, overdriven, psychedelic blues record that offers an interesting historical counterpoint to the immediate impact of Page and Plant and Co." (All Music Guide)

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Stonehouse - Stonehouse Creek (1971)

There have been rips of an over-modulated bootleg CD of this album at a low bitrate floating around cyberspace for years. Well it has finally gotten a long-awaited legitimate reissue! The first and last tracks are kinda 'country', but everything in between is early 70's hard rock of the highest order. Honestly this is some great stuff, what a shame this British band only released one album. Intelligent, well-played, no-frills heavy duty rock with great vocals, what more could you want? All fans of 70's rock will need to get this one. My rip @ 320 w/jewel case artwork made from digipak.

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Mythos - Dreamlab (1975)

Classic space-progressive rock from Germany. If you can imagine a mix of Ash Ra Tempel and Jethro Tull, then you got a clue about how this album sounds. The space-atmosphere on the album is close to perfection, with great use of different synths, flute, spacey guitar and even the heavenly mellotron. The only problem is the dreadful vocals of Stephan Kaske, but fortunately he doesn't "sing" too often. The material is good all the way through, and it varies from jam-oriented parts (like the excellent title-track) to more structured and theme-based parts. There's lots of great flute here, and the mellotron has got a beautiful spacey sound to it. Just check out the extremely beautiful "Mythalgia" and you'll hear. This album is essential for anyone into spacey progressive. (vintageprog.com) My rip @320 w/scans.

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Eddie Boyd - Eddie Boyd And His Blues Band (1967)

One of many albums to come out of the 1960's British "Blues Boom" featuring an American artist being supported by English players. I don't think this is as cool as Boyd's album with Fleetwood Mac, "7936 South Rhodes", but it's still pretty dang good. The cover says "Featuring Peter Green", but the players on the record included all the then-current members of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - John Mayall, Peter Green, John McVie and Aynsley Dunbar. Plus a few members of Boyd's own band, and on a few cuts is T.S. McPhee from the Groundhogs.

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Curved Air - Guildford Surrey University 11-20-74

Soundboard recording of a great show by this amazing band.

1. Marie Antoinette
2. Young Mother
3. Back Street Luv
4. Phantasmagoria
5. Melinda More Or Less
6. Woman On A One Night Stand
7. Propositions
8. Stretch
9. Vivaldi
10. Everdance

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Spooky Tooth - First Tooth

Fantastic Spooky Tooth boot! BBC sessions from "Top Gear" and "Top Of The Pops" and material from singles. The last four tracks are live in concert, from a 1974 version of the band, with Gary Wright as the only original member. Mike Patto on vocals and Mick Jones on guitar. Their version of "I Am The Walrus" is awesome!

1. Too Much Of Nothing
2. Sunshine Help me
3. Tobacco Road
4. Love Really Changed Me
5. Pretty Woman
6. Feelin' Bad
7. I Can't Quit Her
8. Evil Woman
9. Luger's Groove
10. Do Right people
11. The Weight
12. Pretty Woman
13. Weird
14. Waitin' For The Wind
15. Cotton Growing Man
16. The Mirror
17. I Am The Walrus

Tracks 1-8: BBC sessions
Tracks 9-13: single versions
Tracks 14-17: Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio, 1974

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Tractor - John Peel Bought Us Studio Gear and a P. A.

The late great John Peel always had a special connection with the town of Rochdale, situated just north of Manchester. In 1970, after receiving tapes through the post from Rochdale band Tractor, he signed them to his Dandelion Records label, bought them studio equipment and a stereo PA system (fairly ground breaking for a north west band in the early 1970's). Peel continued to have a special relationship to the Tractor people right up until his untimely death, always plugging their live appearances and Tractor releases. This CD presents the tracks that John Peel signed Tractor on the strength of in 1970, plus all the tracks (A and B sides) they did as singles and a 2006 remix of a song specially commissioned by Peel in 1972.

Part 1 Part 2

OK that's it then, happy downloading and see you next week. Comments appreciated, as always!

Real mixed bag this week - different kinds of stuff from England, Germany, France and Denmark.

Amon Düül - Disaster / Lüüd Noma! (1971)

This consists of some of the tapes made during a mammoth recording session in the late 60's. Two earlier albums were released from the same session, "Psychedelic Underground" and "Collapsing - Singvogel Ruckwarts". Released only after Amon Düül II started to get some attention, the members of which weren't thrilled about this getting put out. What is it, though? Experimental? Avante Garde? It surely is chaotic. Maybe it's just a bunch of hippies farting around! You be the judge.

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Kraan - Andy Nogger (1975)

Kraan's third album was produced by Conny Plank, and was the first to be released outside of Germany. This group was a collection of excellent musicians, and the style of music was their own, a successful fusion of free jazz, pop, funk, and of course prog. Primarily instrumental and highly energetic. The rhythm section is almost unbelievably good, I mean they really set down some great grooves. The saxophone playing is brilliant and the guitarist is superb. Great stuff all around, highly recommended!

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Andy Nogger in .flac format: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Nekropolis - Live (1983)

Peter Frohmader's 1983 band was putting out dark, almost industrial-sounding music somewhere between psychedelic underground and avant-garde rock - if Magma and Guru Guru had a baby it might sound something like this.

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The Greatest Show On Earth - The Going's Easy (1970)

Hardly a weak moment on this second release by a now all-but-forgotten British band that had a lot in common with American acts Chicago and Blood, Sweat, and Tears. If you like 'horn rock' you should check this one out.

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Taï Phong - Taï Phong (1975)

This first release by French group Taï Phong, which was led by twin brothers from Viet Nam, is lush, highly melodic symphonic prog. Great keyboards, beautiful harmonies, brilliant guitar. Musicianship and production is top-notch. This is actually pretty amazing!

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Chicken Shack - Accept (1970)

I have always loved this band, no matter who was in it. Stan Webb is right up there with the great British rock guitarists as far as I am concerned. When their fourth album had it's first CD issue a year or so ago, I just had to have it. I wasn't disappointed to find that there were 13 bonus tracks, B-sides and BBC material.

Part 1 - Part 2

The Old Man And The Sea - Alternative And Unreleased (1972-1973)

Fantastic prog from Denmark! Their only album was posted here on Apr 17, 2006. This bootleg is just what it says - unreleased material and alternate versions.

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There you have it - as always, comments appreciated!

Bernie Tormé - Electric Gypsies (1982)

Bernie first came to notice as leader of the Bernie Tormé Band, a not-quite-punk outfit that toured with Generation X and Boomtown Rats, and had a couple tracks that seemed just a little out of place on a 1977 punk album, "Live At The Vortex". After this he had stints with Gillan and Atomic Rooster, and was the immediate replacement for Randy Rhoads, hired to play makeup dates on the "Blizzard Of Oz" tour. I think this is his second release with his band Electric Gypsies. No frills 80's hard rock with some great guitar playing.

Part 1 Part 2

Karthago - Karthago (1971)

German band Karthago's first album is some tasty heavy rock, played in a style not common among German groups. Some tracks bring to mind Jimi Hendrix or maybe the progressive funk of Funkadelic, and other tracks are played in a Latin style, reminding you of early Santana! Excellent heavy guitar playing, a pumped-up vocalist and good songs make this under-rated album well worth a listen!

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Ruphus Zuphall - Weiss Der Teufel (1970)

"An experienced progressive rock collector will know about this excellent group from Aachen, which can arguably be dubbed the German Jethro Tull. Rufus Zuphall's first album Weiss Der Teufel has gradually gained legendary status. It was recorded in the Netherlands and released as a private pressing in 1971. All five tracks [6 live bonus tracks on this] were recorded live in the studio, resulting in a raw and unpolished sound. Just like Jethro Tull, Rufus Zuphall drew influences from both folk and the blues. The side-long title track "Weiss Der Teufel" incorporated the old Gerschwin standard "Summertime". This developed into a very twisted and frenetic flute solo! Some people regard this track as one of the finest moments of German rock. Other great tracks were "Knight Of Third Degree", in a peaceful, folky mood with massive percussion, and "Freitag", featuring one of the most raucious guitar breaks of German rock! "Weiss Der Teufel" is a great album, typifying the raw-edged, largely instrumental early progressive rock." (Cosmic Dreams At Play"

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Arktis - Arktis (1974)

"Although mostly a straight hard-rock band, German group Arktis did however have their moments. They were certainly not professionally trained musicians, and their amateurish edge gave them a very different feel. Not being with a major label they also took chances, especially so on their debut which featured numerous lengthy instrumentals, especially rewarding is the side-long "Rare Girl". Arktis had hints of early Jane, Harlis or even Pancake in their music, but they never really seemed to know exactly what they wanted to do. But there again, Arktis could be seen as innovators, with unusually early new-wave touches." (The Crack In The Cosmic Egg"

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Dark - Round The Edges (1971)

"This LP is a long lost rock classic [4 bonus tracks on this CD]. Some folks consider this to be progressive rock, I however would consider it as pre-progressive in that it was more like Blue Cheer than it was any of the other prog bands emerging at the time. The guitar is hard and fast and the vocals run hot and cold. The first side of the album was luke-warm from an overall standpoint ... side two however is excellent. The playing is superlative and the vocals are kicked up a notch to match the intensity of the music. There are only three cuts on side two, but they certainly get the job done and prove how talented a band they could be when they got down to business. There is more to like than dislike when you listen to this album. The bottom line is that this is a slice of rock music worth hearing, especially if you are a progressive rock enthusiast interested in the development of the genre." (Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck progressiveworld.net)

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Subway To Sally - Foppt den Dämon (1996)

Subway To Sally is a German band that plays what has come to be called "Medieval Metal". This is their fourth album I think, and it smokes!! Some furious hard rock with clear folk and medieval influences. The use of instruments not usually heard from a metal band makes for a nice mix.

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