2 Strange German Records: Can’s Soon Over Babaluma and Amon Düül II’s Phallus Dei

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve purchased some strange German records from the local music store, the first one being Can’s album, Soon Over Babaluma (1974 United Artists).  

Can sometime after Damo Suzuki's departure

Monster Movie - 1969

Being a big fan of Can, it was one of the few releases by the group that I had never heard, so I was curious to say the least.  Thanks to the recommendation of a friend that worked at the store, I picked up the Lp (Thanx David!!).  For those who don’t know, Can was a psychedelic, experimental rock band from Cologne, Germany that formed in 1968.  The band released over 11 studio albums, as well as many compilations and live recordings, and their debut full length, Monster Movie (1969 United Artists) is often hailed as the first major Krautrock record, signaling the start of one of Europe’s most interesting rock movements.  

An earlier post, link to previous Can post here, made the statement that Can’s best material comes from the early era, before the departure of singer Damo Suzuki, but Soon Over Babaluma definitely challenges that thesis. Can recorded this album right after Suzuki’s exit, and it’s awesome!!  It’s a loud rock album and a quiet, ambient experiment all in one, very much  what one would expect after the release of the previous Future Days (1973 United Artists).  Guitarist Michael Karoli and keyboardist Irmin Schmidt provide vocals for the record, and they pull it off well.  Unfortunately, it’s hard to find YouTube samples from the album, and for some reason, this is due to EMI blocking American audiences from having access... I'm guessing it has something to do with copyright laws.... God, I hate that company....  Here’s the opening track, however, and hopefully EMI won’t remove the file any time soon.  The song’s called “Dizzy Dizzy”:

I love the addition of strings on that track, and it sounds really good for a session that was recorded on a two-track setup.  I hope it’s not redundant, but here’s a great video copy of the same song performed live:

I love Irmin Schmidt’s Silver Surfer jacket!!  The live version’s a lot funkier but lacks the strings and ambiance of the studio recording.  Both are really great jams.  Definitely check out the whole album.

http://www.mediafire.com/?3kmilzjgyuw

Amon Duul II

I recently picked up another German krautrock classic from the same store, Amon Düül II’s debut, Phallus Dei (1969 Repertoire).  Amon Düül II’s first studio release has also been claimed, alongside Can’s Monster Movie, to be one of the original krautrock records.  Amon Düül II formed out of the politically radical art commune known simply as Amon Düül.  The commune was founded in Munich, Germany in the late 60s, and the members embraced extreme leftist principles (some commune members, in fact, later joined the controversial Maoist group, the Red Army Faction...)  The commune performed and recorded music as Amon Düül, but some of the more “serious” musicians eventually wanted to develop the group’s sound more professionally and more commercially, causing a split in the commune and the birth of Amon Düül II.  In the early 70s, both Amon Düül and Amon Düül II released albums for the commercial market, but the latter project proved much more prolific and successful, releasing what I believe to be a total of 17 albums over the years.  I’m actually a little confused about the Amon Düül II discography because, being the commune they were, members came and went, making it difficult to determine where the “original” lineup ends and its later inception begins. Personally, I stick with the early stuff, which reminds one of the previously mentioned Can in many different ways.  The first record is a natural place to start. In fact, we’ll begin with the opening track of the album, “Kanaan”:

The song scores equal points for sonic psychedelia, but it doesn’t have that quirkiness characteristic of Can’s sound.  The highlight of the album, however, is the single title track that makes up side B of the record.  If you have time, check it out (if impatient, it really gets going around 3min 34sec...):

Wow!!  That’s a jam. If you like psychedelia, experimental rock, free jazz, prog, or anything of that milieu, get these albums.  They’re great!! Feel free to comment and enjoy the muzak!

Amon Duul II live in recent years...

http://www.mediafire.com/?0103xegxqdv

Thanksgiving is a time for Family!!!

Well it’s Thanksgiving, and holidays are the times for the Family. I am speaking of the music, of course, and so I introduce you, my reader, to one of Swingin’ London’s forgotten about gems.

Family were an English rock band that formed in the mid-60s and played and recorded music until 1973. Their music varied quite extensively; all the following terms have been employed to characterize their sound: progressive rock, folk rock, psychedelia, jazz fusion, etc. Unlike most psyche groups, their instrumentation was not limited to guitars, keys, and drums; there were always a plethora of rotating musicians, and they made use of many unique sounds: strings, flutes, banjos, harps, vibes, etc. Unfortunately, their following never ventured far off the British isle; one of their American tours, for instance, was a complete

disaster. They were banned from Fillmore East after lead singer, Roger Chapman, allegedly tossed a mic stand at Bill Graham’s head during a chaotic concert performance. They were definitely well-known for their crazy concert antics, and some bands or artists were reportedly uneasy about sharing the bill with them. The band’s energy was not limited to the live arena; in their short career that did not even span a decade, they recorded 7 studio albums, almost all on the label Reprise. There were several live and best of compilations as well, making their discography pretty vast. I have not heard the entirety of their releases; some of their albums are pretty hard to find. (In fact, if anyone has their last release, It’s Only a Movie, released 1973 on United Artists, let me know...) A good place to start, however, is the beginning with their debut album, Music in a Doll’s House (1968 Reprise Records). Here’s a couple tracks from the earlier release (the 1st is called “Winter” and the latter “Peace of Mind”):

It’s good folky psychedelia; I love it, but one can sense that the band had yet to carve out clearly their distinct, stylistic mark in the world of popular 60s psychedelia. In fact, that doesn’t seem to happen until their 3rd full length, A Song for Me (1970 Reprise), their most commercially successful effort, which was recently re-released in 2007. It is this album that really begins to showcase their multi-instrumental compositions, and their sound begins to channel a wild, progressive form of psychedelic folk rock. Here’s one of the “bonus” tracks of the re-release; the song is called “No Mules Fool”:

I feel like one could easily fool a listener into thinking they’re hearing an obscure Cat Stevens track when playing that song. At least, I thought Cat Stevens when I first heard it. Family, as stated before, varied stylistically, so it’s not all Cat Stevens-esque. One of the most talked about elements of their sound was Roger Chapman’s unique vocals; sometimes critics described it as a violent, yet soulful, vibrato sound, and some reviewers even complained that his style risked being annoying. For example, listen to the opening song of the album, “Drowned in Wine”:

His vocals seem to imitate the sounds of a saxophone; it’s not for everybody, some are definitely put off by it. Songs like this one make me think, “Oh Wow, Jethro Tull could have been a lot cooler...” In fact, Jethro Tull has cited Family as an important influence. Here’s my favorite track from the album, “Song for Sinking Lovers”:

That’s some good psychedelic folk rock. The Family weren’t always pickin’ the acoustic, however. They could rock heavy in a way that would make Page and Plant proud. Check out the title track, “A Song for Me”:

That’s some heavy blues! Gotta love the Family, and no better time to do so than on Thanksgiving! Definitely check out the entirety of their albums:

music in a doll’s house: http://www.mediafire.com/?z2hmmvmwjnz

A Song for Me: http://www.mediafire.com/?ywmn0qmx0y0

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy the Family and feel free to comment. Peace.

A Selection of Texas Psychedelia

It’s common knowledge that many seminal figures of Psychedelic Rock have repeatedly  cited Roky Ericson and the 13th Floor Elevators of Austin, TX as a major influence.  Texas had a thriving garage/psychedelic music scene throughout the 60s & early 70s, and it was not limited to the Austin area.  In fact, a good amount of Texas Psychedelic music was recorded and released by the independent Houston label, International Artists.  Gorki’s last post got me digging deeper into my collection of underground Texas music, so I’ve decided to post some random gems of Texas 60s music. Enjoy!

Houston’s The Red Crayola:

So let’s start with Houston and Mayo Thompson’s The Red Crayola.  An art student in the mid 60s, Mayo Thompson started the psychedelic rock group with Steve Cunningham and Frederick Barthelme, and yes, Red Crayola’s original drummer is related to the celebrated writer, Donald Barthelme (they’re brothers I believe....).  Although the band is no longer together, M. Thompson still performs under the name Red Krayola (and I believe Jim O’Rourke plays with him...).   Their music was ahead of the curve to say the least.  One hears the roots of punk, noise rock, no wave, and other avant-garde genres of the more recent past.  They released their debut, Parable of Arable Land, in 1967 on the Houston label, International Artists.  On the album every song begins with what has been described as a “free form freak-out” where the band, along with their “Familiar Ugly” friends (which includes cameos of Roky Ericson), play whatever they wanted.  Ahhhh yes, the roots of noise rock.  Check out their song, “Hurricane Fighter Plane,” as it was released as a single:

Now listen to the same song as released on their 1st LP (with “freak outs” and all):

Gotta love the psychedelic imagery that compliments the 2nd video. Their album, Parable of Arable Land, is a must have for all noise rock & no wave enthusiasts.  Check it out.


dl: http://www.mediafire.com/?1xlth0u0cue

Mayo Thompson recorded some great solo material from this period as well.  Some have described Thompson as the “Texan Syd Barrett,” and I hear that in his solo work for sure.  Roky Ericson, however, seems to be better suited for that designation for obvious reasons.  Thompson released the album Corky’s Debt to his Father in 1969 (Texas Revolution), and the record probably appeals to a broader listenership than that posted above.  Truthfully, I listen to this record much more than any Red Crayola material; the music reveals Thompson’s folkier sensibilities. The music still experiments with eccentric arrangements, and Thompson’s lyrics are often playful & non-sequitur.  He rocks here as well, and when he does, it’s more bluesy than anything Crayola.

This album is definitely worth a listen.

dl:  http://www.mediafire.com/?bkynmydmzib

San Antonio/Austin’s Bubble Puppy:

Bubble Puppy were a Psychedelic Rock group that formed in mid/late 60s in San Antonio, TX.  They eventually moved to Austin, signed with Houston’s International Artists, and released their sole full length, A Gathering of Promises, in 1969.  This is a great album, lots of Cream-influenced fuzz rock with progressive changes all viewed through the lens of Southern rock & blues.  Their name was taken from Huxley’s A Brave New World (seems appropriate for the period...).  The band never had much success beyond the release of one single, “Hot Smoke & Sassafras” (gotta love that name), so they eventually moved to L.A., signed to a new label, and changed their name to Demian (named after the writings of yet another author celebrated by the rock’n’roll 60s generation..... geeks!) Oh, and they hired the manager of...... guess which band?  That’s right, Steppenwolf! I wonder if they all got together for Herman Hesse book discussions?  Anyways, check this out:

                        (It's definitely very Creamy....)

dl: http://www.mediafire.com/?tnzmggzmton

Austin’s The Golden Dawn:

Everyone’s knows of Austin’s contribution to psychedelia, namely the 13th Floor Elevators.  A lesser known but similar sounding act was Austin’s short-lived group The Golden Dawn.  (They have reunited in recent years...) They released one full length in 1968 entitled Power Plant (on International Artists as well).  (I know, the reunited Golden Dawn has now released a 2nd album....) One can’t help but think of that classic “You’re Gonna Miss Me” garage-psychedelic sound.  To illustrate listen to their track “Starvation”:

Sure, it sounds just like Ericson’s Elevators, but why complain?  Garage rock by nature all sounds similar, and some of us just don’t get tired of hearing it.  I really like George Kinney’s vocals as well.  If you like that Austin psychedelic sound check out their album Power Plant.

dl:  http://www.mediafire.com/?jtyikcymn0y

So one more post and then I'll call this one quits.

Tyler’s very own Mouse & the Traps:

So I have to add Mouse & the Traps.  Not too often does one come across Psychedelic Rock from the buckle of God’s favorite belt: East Texas!  Mouse & the Traps were from Tyler, TX, and being from that small, conservative town, I thought it appropriate to conclude this posting with a band from the old neighborhood.  Mouse is hit and miss; the music’s garage frat-rock at times, fuzzy and progressive at other moments;  some of the songs are very bubblegum psyche-pop while some tracks lean more towards bluesy folk rock.  It’s kind of all over the place.  The below video makes a comparison between Ronnie (Mouse) Weiss’s vocals and that of Bob Dylan. (Is that good or bad? not sure...) So all East Texans, here’s your psychedelic heritage:

Here’s the entire album, The Fraternity Years:

dl:  http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HW4U8O1J

(wait 45 secs at meagaupload before clicking file link)

Wow, that was a long post, and I have so much more material from this era. I will add more soon.  Peace.