TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Solar Music - Live" - Grobschnitt (1978)

"Solar Music - Live" - Grobschnitt (1978)

     I've spun this album a lot since picking it up a few weeks ago.  "Solar Music - Live" is a bit of a space-rock adventure in the way Pink Floyd would sometimes trip off into.  A little kraut-psych in the juices, as well.  Ron at The Hog's Ear Report describes the square a little like Floyd following up their "Animals" album by never going into "The Wall" at all, and that's not inaccurate.  A what-if...if you will.  There is definitely a "Meddle/Animals" aura about this, yet very much unique in its own right.  The first track is neither here nor there.  Nothing special.  But after that, let the games begin.  By the time you get to the end of side two…you've been places.

     Grobschnitt is legendary across the pond, with their live shows often lasting several hours.  "Solar Music - Live" was recorded in 1978 at the Otto Pankok Forum in Mühlheim, Germany, and captured a little magic in a bottle.  The recording is incredibly studio-esque, one almost forgets it's live.  The music is mostly instrumental and chillingly good.   The musicians seem to be jamming with a Borg mind.  I've listened to this square through speakers and with headphones (mostly headphones), and on this night, Grobschnitt was fire.

"Solar Music - Live" - Grobschnitt (back)

"Solar Music - Live" - Grobschnitt (inside gatefold)

Favorites include:
"Golden Mist"
"Mülheim Special"
"Solar Music III"

     My copy is an original German pressing in a laminated gatefold cover with gold lettering on the front and back covers.  Other versions have blue letters on the front cover.  Gold was the first.  Also, reissues are on a black Brain label.  

     Original copies are not terribly expensive.  Mine cost about $17 and a few jingles.  Nor are they rare.  I mean, I seldom see any Grobschnitt albums in the wild here in the States, but then again, not being familiar, I probably would've skipped right over it if I had.  Thanks again to The Hog's Ear Report for continuing to share his record finds and introducing great spins from the past.  "Solar Music - Live" is a satisfying mind-massage, and I've been rotating this square aplenty.  Snag one if you find one.

Brain label

Cat #
0060.139
SIDE A  DEADWAX
0060-139 5 1  0702 658 = 3/S 1  320 1 K
SIDE B  DEADWAX
0060 139 S 2 0702 658 = 4 S 2  320 1 P

"Mühlheim Special" - Grobschnitt / "Solar Music-Live" (1978)

TRACKS:
A1  "Solar Music I" 3:55
A2  "Food Sicore" 3:50
A3  "Solar Music II" 6:02
A4  "Mülheim Special" 12:18
B1  "Otto Pankrock" 7:34
B2  "Golden Mist" 10:06
B3  "Solar Music III" 9:40

PERSONNEL: 
Stefan Danielak (Willi Wildschwein) - vocals, rhythm guitar, saxophone
Lupo (Gerd Otto Kühn) - lead guitar
Mist (Volker Kahrs) - keyboards
Popo (Wolfgang Jäger) - bass
Eroc (Joachim Ehrig) - drums, percussion
ADDITIONAL:
Toni Moff Mollo (Rainer Loskand ) - lights, vocals

Good stuff.

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