Krautrock - The Rebirth of Germany BBC4 - Friday 23rd Oct 9pm

[JustJohn]

I've just finished watching it and enjoyed it tremendously.

Glad you put the Cluster/Eno matter straight, because while I'm no expert even I was scratching my head at that point. Still, given the parlous state of most TV, we should be grateful for these docs.

What really came across was the sense of genuine exploration and experimentation, and the determination to create their own music, beyond the clichés of rock n roll. I find that enormously appealing, and while I've plenty of Kraftwerk and Can, plus a dribble of Neu! and Amon Duul II, I feel inspired to search out some Cluster, Harmonia and Faust.

Recommendations warmly received.

 

[Tony L]

I feel inspired to search out some Cluster, Harmonia and Faust.

Recommendations warmly received.

Faust are the only ones with a very large catalogue. I'd recommend the Wumme Years CD box as it covers the essential two Polydor albums (Faust and So Far) and also includes The Faust Tapes and some excellent early BBC sessions and out takes. Buy a copy of Faust IV too, in fact maybe even buy it first as it is probably their most (only?) accessible work. As for Cluster and Harmonium they did so little you may well just buy it all, it's rude not to. Buy the two La Dusseldorf albums too (a Neu! spin-off).

There is tons of great stuff that didn't even get a look-in on the doc too, e,g. Cosmic Jokers, Ash Ra Temple etc. It might be prudent to post Cope's Krautrock Top 50 at this point, so I will:

Amon Duul I – Paradieswarts Duul
Amon Duul II – Phallus Dei
Amon Duul II – Yeti
Amon Duul II - Carnival in Babylon
Amon Duul II – Wolf City
Ash Ra Temple – Ash Rah Temple
Ash Ra Temple – Schwingungen
Ash Ra Temple & Timothy Leary – 7Up
Ash Ra Temple – Join Inn
Can – Monster Movie
Can – Soundtracks
Can – Tago Mago
Can – Ege Bamyasi
Can – Delay 1968
Cluster – II
Cluster – Zuckerzeit
Cluster – Sowiesoso
Tony Conrad / Faust – Outside the Dream Syndicate
Cosmic Jokers – Cosmic Jokers
Cosmic Jokers – Galactic Supermarket
Cosmic Jokers – Planeten Sit-In
Cosmic Jokers – Sci-Fi Party
Cosmic Jokers & Sternmadchen – Giles Zeitschiff
Faust – Faust
Faust – So Far
Faust – The Faust Tapes
Faust – IV
Sergius Golwin – Lord Krishna Von Golka
Guru Guru – UFO
Harmonia – Music Von Harmonia
Harmonia – Delux
Kraftwerk – Kraftwerk (I & II)
La Dusseldorf – La Dusseldorf
La Dusseldorf – Viva
Moebius & Plank – Rastakrautpasta
Neu! – Neu!
Neu! – Neu 2
Neu! – Neu 75
Popol Vuh – Affenstunde
Popol Vuh – In den Garten Pharoas
Popol Vuh – Enjager & Siebenjager
Popol Vuh – Hoisanna Mantra
Tangerine Dream – Electronic Meditation
Tangerine Dream – Alpha Centuri
Tangerine Dream – Zeit
Tangerine Dream – Atem
Klaus Schultze – Irrlicht
Klaus Schultze – Black Dance
Walter Wegmuller – Tarot
Witthuser & Westrupp – Trips & Trauma

There is much I'd add to that, but it's a fabulous starting point.

Tony.

 

[Uncle Ants]

It was a thoroughly enjoyable programme, which really helped to explain the context of where a lot of these people were coming from ... and has tempted me to go and buy lots of records.

 

[JustJohn]

Blimey, looks like I've got a bit of catching up to do. Thanks!

 

[Seeker_UK]

It was a good documentary, even though they tried to put too much into the 60 minutes. Where was Manuel Gottsching, Mani Neumeier or Conrad Schnitzler, ?

Why didn't they mention that Bowie only worked with Eno on "Heroes" after he didn't manage to hook up with Edgar Froese?

Still, it would be splitting hairs - this ignored genre needs more exposure.

Righto - I'm off to play my Floh De Cologne records.