Author Topic: Faust/Can/Kraftwerk/Neu! et al (Krautrock) (Read 23713 times)

Mal · « **Reply #40 on:** December 9, 2009, 07:19:10 am »

You forgot to mention the old bloke in a tux juggling colanders...

Mal · « **Reply #41 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:37:09 pm »

Good series on 6 music at the moment.

Lovely stuff, interview with Michael Rutter etc... contributions by Stephen Morris and compered by Jarvis Cocker; you can't go wrong.

Can catch up on iPlayer...

Veinticinco de Mayo · « **Reply #42 on:** March 2, 2010, 11:16:23 pm »

Given that good series' on Radio 6 may soon be a thing of the past as the Beeb focus on quality programming like effin' Two Pints of Lager and a bag of shite, you folks might want to have a look at www.magiska.tk which currently has an 18CD box set available for download.

I merely suggest that you treat this as a try before you buy opportunity given that this site condemns downloading and all other nefarious interweb activities.

rafathegaffa83 · « **Reply #43 on:** March 3, 2010, 02:30:53 am »

Was about to bump this thread today after listening to Can's "Bel Air". A brilliant superlative inducing track with drums so hard and loud, I honestly keep thinking someone's knocking at my door during part of the song.

rafathegaffa83 · « **Reply #44 on:** March 30, 2010, 01:51:55 pm »

A nice overview by Jon Savage

Quote

Elektronische musik: a guide to krautrock

It might be more than 30 years old, but krautrock, Germany's experimental music from the 1970s, still has a freshness that sixth-generation British indie bands can't match

It began out of nothing, was given a joke name, and became the pop influence du jour: krautrock, kosmische musik, elektronische musik, or whatever you wish to call German experimental rock from the 1970s. Cited and adapted by artists as diverse as Q-Tip, the Horrors (whose epic Sea Within a Sea convincingly updates that Neu! motorik), Foals, Deerhunter, even Kasabian and Oasis (but don't let the last put you off).

The list is so long as to be almost meaningless, but a new Soul Jazz compilation, Elektronische Musik, reinforces just how wild German music from that period was. It also raises the question of why kosmische musik, which has impacted on pop for the last 30 years (just think of Afrika Bambaataa, Brian Eno and David Bowie, to name but three), is still so popular today.

It began out of the revolutionary student movement of 1967 and 1968: one strand formed communes and became political activists, others began to attempt a new German music that was not schlager, the mainstream music of the day. Their quest was given added impetus by the fact that many of these war babies knew their history had been erased. They had nothing, but that meant freedom.

This was their year zero. Informed by Karlheinz Stockhausen, the Mothers of Invention, the Velvet Underground and Pink Floyd, among others, the late 1960s and early 70s saw the formation of many key groups: Can, Faust, Amon Düül II, Organisation (later Kraftwerk), Guru Guru and Tangerine Dream, many of whom were released on German labels such as Ohr and Brain.

There are several DVD bootlegs covering this early period, as well as YouTube clips and the actual albums. What they record is a balls-to-the-wall experimental approach that takes ideas, feelings and competence as far as they can go, and then further. There are no limits. This first-time delirium continues the psychedelic upsurge of 1966-67 but gives it a tougher edge: it was, as Julian Cope wrote, "soaringly idealistic and hard as nails".

It was Cope's Krautrocksampler, published in 1995, that first organised and codified a history of "the great kosmische musik". Cope focused on the first wave of groups, many of whom were popular in England thanks to the visionary Andrew Lauder, who released Can and Amon Düül II on United Artists. (Then there was the 49p issue of The Faust Tapes.)

Since this groundbreaking study, the floodgates have opened; but the Soul Jazz compilation opens out the genre even further. If you go into the affiliated Sounds of the Universe shop in Soho, you'll see a rack for experimental German music alongside all the reggae 7"s, funk/disco 12"s, dubstep, free jazz and cosmic disco CDs. Put together by Stuart Baker and Adrian Self, the Elektronische Musik compilation totally fits that free-booting eclecticism.

It begins with Can's A Spectacle, sampled by Q-Tip on Manwomanboogie (from his 2008 album The Renaissance). There are the usual suspects: Faust, Neu!, Cluster – the last represented by the track Heisse Lippen, from their best album, Zuckerzeit – but there is a greater reliance on funky beats/breaks, and you get long improv epics such as High Life by Ibliss. The second disc ends with the blissed-out drones of Deuter's Soham, a higher-key masterpiece.

The implication is that there is more here than you ever thought. German music from this period is a bit like the Tardis: you got through a narrow portal into a huge, dynamic space. Kosmische's fertility is only matched by its desire to create something totally new, and it is that which has proved inspirational to successive generations of musicians from right across the spectrum.

Its increased resonance in the 21st century comes from the fact that Anglo-American rock has a six-decade history and has been thoroughly cannibalised. Tired of sixth-gen Brit indie groups? Sick of Americana apologists? Then let kosmische be your guide. Starting from nothing but their imagination, the 70s German groups continue to offer a third way: a long, straight road out of this cultural impasse.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2010/mar/30/elektronische-musik-krautrock

Filler. · « **Reply #45 on:** August 8, 2010, 09:49:40 pm »

Just got wind of a good looking Michael Rother interview... he of Neu! on Brian Turners WFMU show. Three hours of joy I'd imagine. This Tuesday at 8pm GMT (tho could be 7pm... 3-6 pm New Jersey time anyhoo).

http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/BT

Quote

Tuesday, August 10th, 3pm - 6pm: Michael Rother of Neu!/Harmonia
As participants in the heyday of early 70's Krautrock go, Michael Rother's resume and contributions to the world of experimental music and progressive rock might be among the highest. He spent time as guitarist in a 1971 incarnation of Kraftwerk, then co-founded the legendary combo Neu! with Klaus Dinger. With a combination of studio manipulations with producer Conny Plank, Dinger's driving motorik drumming and Rother's spirited and textural guitar playing, Neu! created a body of music that weighed heavily across sections of classic and modern music cornerstones as diverse as Joy Division, PiL, Bowie, and an entire electronic music scene.

He also was a member of Harmonia, joining Cluster's Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius, worked with Eno, and created a selection of solo recordings into the present time. Rother has been touring as Hallogallo 2010 using his past projects as a template for live performance, joined by Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth on drums, and Aaron Mullan of Tall Firs on bass. The trio recently performed during WFMU's broadcast at Primavera Sound in Barcelona, and have shows this week at Maxwell's, Lincoln Center, and in Philadelphia. Michael stops by Brian's show today joined by Steve and Aaron for an extended chat about his activities past and present, with a generous helping of excerpts from his great recordings.

Barney_Rubble · « **Reply #46 on:** August 10, 2010, 08:39:21 pm »

Just remembered this. How the fuck can you listen??

Filler. · « **Reply #47 on:** August 10, 2010, 10:12:28 pm »

Quote from: Barney_Rubble on August 10, 2010, 08:39:21 pm

Just remembered this. How the fuck can you listen??

Hope things are good sir.

You should be able to click on one of the links at the top of this page: http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/36874. There's 50 mins of it to go and the interview has just finished. I've only just been able to tune in myself sadly, but by tomorrow noon it should be up on Brian's page to listen to at our pleasure.

Barney_Rubble · « **Reply #48 on:** August 10, 2010, 10:44:04 pm »

Hey Mister F

Nice one. I think I was a bit previous then.

Filler. · « **Reply #49 on:** August 10, 2010, 11:01:59 pm »

His shows last 3 hours, kicking off at 8pm GMT on Tuesdays (check that archive!) and they usually include a session with the guests when he has them, but not this time it seems. Someone kindly put up a link to a recent gig of Hallogallo 2010 tho, http://culture.wnyc.org/articles/music-hub/2010/aug/10/no-cover-michael-rother-friends-play-music-neu/ which might need listening to tomorrow.

Quote

German experimental musician and composer Michael Rother recruited Steve Shelley, of Sonic Youth, and Aaron Mullan, of Tall Firs, to form Hallogallo 2010, a group which is playing Neu!'s electronic rock music live for the first time in 35 years. Rother and friends recently performed at the Lincoln Center Out of Doors festival.

Barney_Rubble · « **Reply #50 on:** August 10, 2010, 11:05:55 pm »

Caution - Genius at Work

Barney_Rubble · « **Reply #51 on:** August 12, 2010, 06:53:26 pm »

Download the Michael Rother Interview Programme here (mp3 - 176Mb)

http://mp3archives.wfmu.org/archive/kdb/mp3jump2010.mp3/0:7:17/0/BT/bt100810.mp3

WordF0o · « **Reply #52 on:** August 13, 2010, 09:19:30 am »

Quote from: Filler. on August 10, 2010, 11:01:59 pm

His shows last 3 hours, kicking off at 8pm GMT on Tuesdays (check that archive!) and they usually include a session with the guests when he has them, but not this time it seems. Someone kindly put up a link to a recent gig of Hallogallo 2010 tho, http://culture.wnyc.org/articles/music-hub/2010/aug/10/no-cover-michael-rother-friends-play-music-neu/ which might need listening to tomorrow.

Yeah, I was here. It was really really good. Steve Shelley is quite the drummer and everyone in the crowd seemed to love the music...towards the end of the concert, everyone got off their chairs and ran towards the stage and started dancing--just grooving to the music. It was a really chill evening.

Filler. · « **Reply #53 on:** August 25, 2010, 10:29:58 pm »

Far more people should know about CAN...

EGE BAMYASI by CAN (nearly 40 years old)

1. Pinch:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hls8WnUfHbY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/Hls8WnUfHbY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_GB</a>

2. Swan Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VmM8qRRLwU&feature=related
3. One More Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyJzv4AFZXc&feature=related
4. Vitamin C: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a1NhRbNJ_Y (watch it live here:)
5. Soup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKX9LDo9eQo&feature=related
6. I'm So Green: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBHunxDalLo
7. Spoon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1WOKKEH4cw&feature=related

Quote

Wiki:

Ege Bamyasi has received considerable critical acclaim since its release. British music weekly Melody Maker wrote: "Can are without doubt the most talented and most consistent experimental rock band in Europe, England included."[5] The success of the song "Spoon" and sales from this album inspired Can to make a free concert in an attempt to reach a wider audience. The Can Free Concert was filmed by Martin Schäfer, Robbie Müller and Egon Mann for director Peter Przygodda at the Cologne Sporthalle on February 3, 1972 and is included on the Can DVD.[6]

Various artists have cited Ege Bamyasi as an influence. Stephen Malkmus of Pavement has been quoted as saying "I played Can's Ege Bamyasi album every night before I went to sleep for about three years."[7] Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth recalls, "I found Ege Bamyasi in the 49-cent bin at Woolworth's. I didn’t see anything written about Can, I didn’t know anything about them except this okra can on the cover, which seemed completely bizarre. I finally picked that record up, and I completely wore it out. It was so alluring. Something about it made Can seem to be playing outside of rock 'n' roll. It was unlike anything else I was hearing at the time."[8]

There have been cover versions of songs from Ege Bamyasi by various artists. "I'm So Green" was covered by Beck and was submitted for a planned Can tribute album produced by the Dust Brothers. Kanye West sampled from "Sing Swan Song" for his song "Drunk and Hot Girls" on the album Graduation. Remix versions of several Ege Bamyasi songs are included on the album Sacrilege. Minneapolis based hip hop artist I Self Devine sampled from "Vitamin C" for the song "Overthrow" on his 2005 release, "Self Destruction". Kleptones have incorporated "Vitamin C" into their mix Hectic City 7 – May Daze.[1] "Vitamin C" can also be heard in Pedro Almodóvar's movie Broken Embraces.

That and Hex Enduction Hour Stephen

Filler. · « **Reply #54 on:** September 27, 2010, 09:12:31 pm »

I changed the subject title a little... I didn't know where to slip this in. I read this article months back and never popped it up on here but caught it again the other day. Gotta love The Quietus - a quality read, but Autobahn as football philosophy? What was it about football in the 70's eh?

From Neu! To Kraftwerk: Football, Motorik And The Pulse Of Modernity
John Doran , January 6th, 2010 06:25

When we started The Quietus we made the fairly arbitrary decision that modern popular music started with Kraftwerk's 'Autobahn' in 1974. John Doran talks to Michael Rother, Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Karl Bartos about the build up to this flash point in musical history.

There are many terms that always crop up during discussion of the bewildering variety of leftfield rock and electronic music that came out of Germany in the late 60s and 70s. The most commonly occurring nomenclature is the only partially useful and slightly disagreeable umbrella name of Krautrock. Probably the second most popular term is the much more useful motorik. The word, which literally means 'motor skill' in German, was originally coined by journalists to describe the minimal yet propulsive four four beat that underpins just a small amount of the music from this time and place. However, if this non-existent genre has anything approaching a definable quality, then this beat is it. It was a hallmark of Klaus Dinger's drumming for Neu!, although he rejected the term, preferring to call the rhythm the 'Apache beat'. This metronome was first used in this context by Kraftwerk on tracks such as 'Ruckzuck', and Can on the blistering 'Mother Sky'.

This beat was the war drum of modernity, pushing the listener forwards into the future. It is often associated with the great transport networks of Germany, the railway lines and the autobahns. In fact the rhythm even mimics that of a car speeding along the open road or a train clattering along the rails: fast, measured, travel never ending. It was the rock beat stripped back to a glittering chassis. It was the minimalist framework on which improvisation could take place.

Of course, say this to Neu!'s guitarist Michael Rother and he laughs before stating that the rhythm was inspired by something altogether less mechanistic and more fluid: a game of football.

The rest here: http://thequietus.com/articles/03472-from-neu-to-kraftwerk-football-motorik-and-the-pulse-of-modernity

Filler. · « **Reply #55 on:** September 27, 2010, 11:56:42 pm »

no Pinch?

MichaelA · « **Reply #56 on:** February 20, 2011, 12:59:02 pm »

Quote from: Veinticinco de Mayo on March 2, 2010, 11:16:23 pm

Given that good series' on Radio 6 may soon be a thing of the past as the Beeb focus on quality programming like effin' Two Pints of Lager and a bag of shite, you folks might want to have a look at www.magiska.tk which currently has an 18CD box set available for download.

I merely suggest that you treat this as a try before you buy opportunity given that this site condemns downloading and all other nefarious interweb activities.

Almost a year on and six music is still here, I'm currently enjoying the Man Machine krautrock doc

CHOPPER · « **Reply #57 on:** February 20, 2011, 01:08:55 pm »

I watched the BBC 4 doc on the whole Krautrock thing a while back and it wet me pallet-truck so to speak for something new other than Kraftwerk so am quite partial to a bit of Can every now and again these days.

I even know where Operation Hennessey's avatar comes from now as well.

Hibsred · « **Reply #58 on:** February 20, 2011, 02:34:52 pm »

I would recommend Popol Vuh's soundtrack to Werner Herzog's "Agiurre". From 1976 I think.

A wee taster:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u7vzaqITMA

Filler. · « **Reply #59 on:** February 20, 2011, 09:18:11 pm »

Quote from: MichaelA on February 20, 2011, 12:59:02 pm

Almost a year on and six music is still here, I'm currently enjoying the Man Machine krautrock doc

~~Bugger.. missed that. Anyway of listening to it on there? Had a look but can't find~~ SORTED! lovely. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ym2gz

Nice co-incidence this, but this morning I slung on Can's Future Days - it had the wee fella bopping away. Wee fella as in child not the er... wee fella. And then, like a bolt out of the blue I came up with an extraordinarily good idea. I was going to form a band, and we would play Neu!'s Hallogallo for however long we were allowed on stage. I could gather together the members no problem, I could play rhythm guitar, and we could play that for a good hour at least. I put it to the wife and she nearly cried

skooma · « **Reply #60 on:** February 20, 2011, 09:48:23 pm »

I discovered Kraftwerk in 2004. They were my first favorite band and the songs are still sound good to this day.

Filler. · « **Reply #61 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:18:05 pm »

Quote from: Filler. on February 20, 2011, 09:18:11 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ym2gz

Great that. Really enjoyed Afrika Baambaata's contribution. He's great Jarvis in' e? Never heard the U2 cover of Neon Lights before but I literally shuddered at hearing 2 bars of it. What was he doing with that warbling voice all over that track? ARGH!! I never want to hear that again - it was like being covered with ants. And Coldplay... don't start.

Amazing influence tho, and still turning heads. My favourite cover of Kraftwerks tho is this (well, this week it is):

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/0HwFUE3rhfY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/0HwFUE3rhfY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US</a>

Good shout on Popul Vuh's stuff above.

elbow · « **Reply #62 on:** February 21, 2011, 05:51:25 am »

My local library has a great cd section, or rather someone at the library with great taste. In the last 3 months, I've listened to:
Can - Future Days, Tago Mago, Ege Bam Yasi and Anthology
That Jaki Liezbit is a bit of an OK drummer!
Kraftwerk - Autobahn, Trans Europe Express, Computer World and The Mix - the remastered versions that came out recently. Gold dust.

I might pop in there next week and see if they have any Neu!, Harmonia, Faust and Amon Dull!

rafathegaffa83 · « **Reply #63 on:** February 27, 2011, 12:41:51 pm »

Quote from: CHOPPER on February 20, 2011, 01:08:55 pm

I watched the BBC 4 doc on the whole Krautrock thing a while back and it wet me pallet-truck so to speak for something new other than Kraftwerk so am quite partial to a bit of Can every now and again these days.

Caught this the other day as well. Fantastic stuff and gives a real insight into the music industry and the concept of musical collaborations as well. The memories of the lads in Harmonia and Jaki Liebezeit were particularly interesting. Naturally, I've been back on a bit of a Krautrock binge since. Kraftwerk's Radioaktivität and Cluster's Hollywood have been two frequently played tracks.

Filler. · « **Reply #64 on:** April 24, 2011, 11:09:00 pm »

Is this the greatest live footage ever?

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/4oyKKahQoDY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/4oyKKahQoDY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US</a>

will this wake up you bloody Springsteen lovers on here?

CHOPPER · « **Reply #65 on:** April 24, 2011, 11:12:51 pm »

I've knocked it in the head for a while now but my 25 year old habit has reared it's ugly head of late and when I do, I'll touch for a nice bit of of rocky and whack on the Can. Thanks for getting me onto them filler.

I can blame you for falling off the wag-on.

24/7 · « **Reply #66 on:** April 24, 2011, 11:15:29 pm »

Quote from: Filler. on April 24, 2011, 11:09:00 pm

Is this the greatest live footage ever?

Quite possibly, yes

Quote from: Filler. on April 24, 2011, 11:09:00 pm

will this wake up you bloody Springsteen lovers on here?

Quite possibly, no $:-\$ Some people prefer to walk through life asleep, dumb like sheep.

24/7 · « **Reply #67 on:** April 24, 2011, 11:16:42 pm »

Quote from: CHOPPER on April 24, 2011, 11:12:51 pm

...I'll touch for a nice bit of of rocky and whack on the Can...

Giz some.

Filler. · « **Reply #68 on:** April 24, 2011, 11:20:41 pm »

Quote from: CHOPPER on April 24, 2011, 11:12:51 pm

I can blame you for falling off the wag-on.

Now that's a story I can enchant my children with

Am sparking up one whilst they're away..

Can... shit me... glorious.

Filler. · « **Reply #69 on:** April 24, 2011, 11:24:04 pm »

It should be remembered of course that Damo was off his nuts. Making words up... what a band.

Filler. · « **Reply #70 on:** April 24, 2011, 11:51:43 pm »

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/8QLL2j8ZtxE?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/8QLL2j8ZtxE?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US</a>

just focus on the drummer...

eAyeAddio · « **Reply #71 on:** April 24, 2011, 11:55:56 pm »

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZbAWBElA6dA?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/ZbAWBElA6dA?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US</a>

Filler. · « **Reply #72 on:** April 25, 2011, 12:14:21 am »

Tis a shame that the audio is bad on the Hallogallo track - but it's a favourite youtube vid of mine. I came up with a great idea for a band a month or two back - we'd play Hallogallo only. One track, every time. We'd probably be called hallogallo tho that would have to be up for debate.

Filler. · « **Reply #73 on:** April 25, 2011, 12:27:53 am »

if you can't enjoy the full 745 mins of Hallogallo you're an ass.

kavah · « **Reply #74 on:** April 25, 2011, 05:15:18 am »

Quote from: Filler. on April 25, 2011, 12:27:53 am

if you can't enjoy the full 745 mins of Hallogallo you're an ass.

12 half hours - what were you smoklng

thanks for posting the boss clips ( eAadd too )

hassinator · « **Reply #75 on:** April 25, 2011, 08:09:58 pm »

here come the germans.....

mega-good to be fair.

Filler. · « **Reply #76 on:** April 25, 2011, 08:35:37 pm »

The excellent BBC doc on Krautrock from a year or two back. All parts on YT. Really puts it all in context.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/3B89-69icyc?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/3B89-69icyc?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US</a>

24/7 · « **Reply #77 on:** April 25, 2011, 09:54:21 pm »

Quote from: Filler. on April 25, 2011, 08:35:37 pm

The excellent BBC doc on Krautrock from a year or two back. All parts on YT. Really puts it all in context.

Got this on DVD - absolutely brilliant.

hassinator · « **Reply #78 on:** April 25, 2011, 10:22:30 pm »

Quote from: Filler. on April 25, 2011, 08:35:37 pm

The excellent BBC doc on Krautrock from a year or two back. All parts on YT. Really puts it all in context.

this thread requires my full attention - i might learn something.

Mal · « **Reply #79 on:** April 25, 2011, 11:08:07 pm »

Quote from: Filler. on April 25, 2011, 12:14:21 am

Tis a shame that the audio is bad on the Hallogallo track - but it's a favourite youtube vid of mine. I came up with a great idea for a band a month or two back - we'd play Hallogallo only. One track, every time. We'd probably be called hallogallo tho that would have to be up for debate.

I'd attend.

And I'd be happy to pay. Hallogallo is a musical masterpiece. NEU! are fucking ace.

That is all. For now.