Krautrock Album Database

In 1970, the brothers Joachim and Christian Von Gumbkows along with Nanny De Ruig created Holderlin and began playing Folk Rock with an Anglo-American influence. Their lyrics were influenced by the German poet Friedrich Hoelderlin, from whom they took their name. In May of 1971, the group solidified its lineup and were signed to the legendary Ohr label in August of that year. The following January, they began recording their first album with Dieter Dierks in Dierks Studio. This album was a success and as a result, the band was kept busy by an exhaustive touring schedule. After vocalist Nanny De Ruig left the group in late-1973, the group took on a more improvised sound. Sadly, they were left out in the cold when Ohr founder Rolf Ulrich Kaiser decided to fold Ohr and focus on the Kosmische Kurrier concept. The band finally got around to recording their second album, a concept-album dedicated to Friedrich Hoelderlin, in 1975. This time, Conny Plank was at the controls and the album went on to sell over 10,000 copies, a huge feat for a German band! After this album, the band dropped their folk approach and took on a more concept based Jazz-Rock approach.
Albums

Holderlin's Traum 1972
Hoelderlin 1975
Clowns And Clouds 1976
Rare Birds 1977
Live Traumstadt 1978
New Faces 1979
Fata Morgana 1981

Holderlin's Traum (Pilz 1972)

Recorded: January 1972, Dierks Studio

Album Legnth: 34.44

Genre: Folk/Rock

Best Song: 'Requiem Fur Einen Wicht'

Release Info: 1999 CD Reissue OHR 70001-2

Tracks:

1. Waren Wir 4.52
2. "Peter" 2.57
3. Stohhalm 2.06
4. Requiem Fur Einen Wicht 6.38
5. Erwachen 4.05
6. Wetter Bericht 6.39
7. Traum 7.22

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Overview:

Interesting album which mixes elements of German folk, classical and rock into seven tracks of varying effect. I tend to like the longer, more developed tracks over the shorter ones. The standout track is 'Requiem Fur Einen Wicht' which has a hauntingly beautiful dreamy feel in its musical elements: acoustic guitar, flute, and violin, as well as some strong vocals from the female vocalist Nanny de Ruig. This album will appeal greatly to those who like the 'progressive/cosmic' folk sounds that the Pilz label is known for. The album features guest musicians Peter Bursh and Mike Hellbach from Broselmaschine and Walter Westrupp of Witthuser and Westrupp fame. For those of you who care, all vocals are in German. [4/5 Doug]
Musicians:

Nanny de Ruig - Vocals
Jochen Grumbkow - Flute, Cello
'Nops' Noppeney - Viola, Violin, Flute, Piano
Peter Kaseberg - Bass, Vocals
Christian Grumbkow - Guitar
Michael Bruchmann - Drums, Percussion
Peter Bursch - Sitar on 'Strohhalm'
Mike Hellbach - Tablas on 'Strohhalm'
Walter Westrupp - Flute on 'Erwachen'

Clowns And Clouds (Spiegelei 1976)

Recorded: January 1976, Conny's Studio

Album Legnth: 42:03

Genre: Progressive

Best Song: 'Streaming'

Release Info: 1976 LP Release Spiegelei 26 605-6 U

Tracks:

1. Mad House 6.50
2. Your Eyes 6.06
3. Circus 9.09
4. Streaming 7.07
5. Phasing 12.12

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Overview:

'Clowns And Clouds', Hoelderlin's third album, showcases the band drifting towards a progressive rock sound featuring a prominent keyboard. A thinly disguised concept album containing a 'Clown' side and a 'Cloud' side, it contains 5 outstanding tracks engineered by Konrad Plank. Of the five tracks, 'Circus', Streaming', and 'Phasing' are the sure standouts. 'Circus' opens with a cello and viola tango which gives way to a flute and drum marching section before launching into a complex track containing vocals reminiscent of Chris Karrer on the ADII track 'Syntleman's March Of The Roaring Seventies' from 'Tanz Der Lemminge'. Side two, the 'Cloud' side is so strong that it might be the best side of any kraut album in my collection. 'Streaming' kicks off with the ambient sound of streaming water which gives way ethereal keyboard, atmospheric guitar and beautiful flute work. But it is the instrumental middle section led by string synthesizer and an incredible sax lead which steals the show. Following this is the twelve-minute instrumental, 'Phasing', a track so mellow that the listener feels as if they are floating on air. This track includes electric piano, striking viola lines, string synthesizer, and a solid Klaus Dinger-esque (Neu!) drum beat in the closing section. This album contains a few tracks which I'm sure should fit in nicely on a homemade "best of" krautrock compilation. I have the original vinyl, but I do think that there has been a legit French CD release of the album; I will post the release info on the CD if I can track it down. [5/5 Doug]

Musicians:

Jochen Grumbkow - Keyboards, Vocals, Cello
'Nops' Noppeney - Viola, Vocals, Guitar
Hans Baar - Bass, Guitar
Christian Grumbkow - Guitar
Michael Bruchmann - Drums, Percussion
Joachim Kaseberg - Live Sound
Jorg-Peter Siebert - Saxophone, Flute, Percussion