Grobschnitt - 79:10 (2015) [17CD Super Deluxe Box Set]

West German rock band Grobschnitt will see a very limited 17CD super deluxe box set of all 14 of their albums released later this month that comes with almost seven hours of bonus material.

The box set is titled 79:10 and covers the entire output of the band from 1972 to 1989. Everything has been newly remastered and in total there is over 22 hours of material for fans to enjoy. The reason for ’79:10′ is that each of the 17 CDs has 79 minutes and 10 secs of audio, so they are packed with content!

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Grobschnitt - 79:10 (2015) [17CD Super Deluxe Box Set]

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This box set has been put together with the help band founders Lupo (Gerd Otto Kühn) and Eroc (Joachim Ehrig) who have dug into the archive for pictures, press releases, lyrics and personal stories to create new booklets for each album in this collection – much of it unseen. The CDs are all ‘mintpack’ digipacks.

In addition to the CD booklets, there is also a large format (12″x12″) 92-page booklet (with German and English text) with more rare photos and new liner notes.

These box sets are rather special because each set comes with a SIGNED ART PRINT of the image that adorned the inside of the gatefold 1977 album Rockpommel’s Land. The three founding members, Lupo, Eroc and Willi Wildschwein, have hand-signed each single art print individually. The print is approximately 13″ x 26″ in size…

~ superdeluxeedition

GROBSCHNITT''s debut album is one the pinnacle undergound Krautrock albums of 1972 and with a bang introduced the world to their "Wonderful Music". This album is very different from that of "Rockpommel's Land" or "Solar Music Live" and really plays more like the underground 70's German stuff that was pouring out of Plank's studio (less symphonic prog). GROBSCHNITT was Stefan Danielak (Wildschwein) -rhythm guitar, vocals, Joachim Ehrig (Eroc) / drums, percussion, electronic effects, Axel Harlos (Felix) / drums, percussion, Gerd-Otto Kühn (Lupo) / lead guitar, Hermann Quetting (Quecksilber) / organ, piano, spinet, percussion and Bernhard Uhlemann (Bär) / bass, flute, percussion. 2 big songs on this album with "Symphony" clocking in at 14 Mins and "Sun Tri"p at 18 Mins and both very memorable and highly captivating songs. This is actually an amazing album and is one I play quite a bit still to this day.

by loserboy, progarchives

Tracklist:

01 Symphony: Introduction / Modulation / Variation / Finale
02 Travelling
03 Wonderful Music
04 Sun Trip: Am Ölberg (Mountain Of Olives)
05 Sun Trip: On The Way
06 Sun Trip: Battlefield
07 Sun Trip: New Era

Bonus Tracks:
08 About My Town (Live At Thg Aula, Hagen 1971)
09 Another Symphony (Live At Städt. Gymnasium, Gütersloh 1977)

Grobschnitt's second album leaves people very divided but the band's Oeuvre in general does too. As I wrote my review of their debut, some new reviews came in to counter mine and the reviewer shot at this album also. Unfortunately, those reviews are negative and obviously based on too few listening of the record and lacking the second degree Grobschnitt sense of humour. Beside of almost lacking respect for the artists concerned.

The only thing I can agree with that reviewer is that this second album is not as good as the debut (this may not be the opinion of the majority, though) but still well worth the 4 stars. Yes, Sahara is strange but represent a facet of Germanic culture as this is clearly a wink at Cabaret songs, Marlene Dietrich-way, that Liza Minelli took to fame also. Amon Duul II also devoted an album to this. Drivel!?!?…..that afore-mentined review is drivel.

As for the rest of the tracks they typical prog tracks but I find that they are slightly less inspired than the debut mostly to the second drummer Harlos leaving and changing of KB player. Grobschnitt had almost disbanded after those departures. If Nickel-odeon, Drummer's Dream, Morning Song and Magic Train are not all that great (something is lacking, my Guess is enthusiasm), they are still good tracks but sounding more Genesis than their fusion- laced debut.

And then comes the studio version of the main Grobschnitt theme Solar Music. Many have tendency to overlook this version because of the many live version (and they are partly Right) because it is too subdued due to the studio environment. I personally think that this is a peak in Grobschnitt's career.

Much worth a spin!!

by Sean Trane, progarchives

Tracklist:

01 Hello My Dear Friends
02 Sahara
03 Nickelodeon
04 Drummer's Dream
05 Morning Song
06 Magic Train
07 Solar Music Part 1
08 Solar Music Part 2

Bonus Track:
09 Sahara (Alternate Version)

The English language lyrics to Jumbo may not be the most profound in the history of progressive rock, but lyrics aren't really the reason anyone, German or English, listened to Grobschnitt. This band earned their many fans for their distinctive sound and refreshing inability to take themselves seriously. The sense of fun is hinted at on the album cover, which shows a host of cartoon characters from European advertising all jammed into a old-fashioned open-cockpit airplane. On the disc are the usual Grobschnitt trademarks: mind-blowing ensemble work on progressive suites led by guitar and keyboards, with soaring vocals by Stefan Danielak and wacky spoken bits and sound effects by prankster drummer Joachim Ehrig. The long and complex tracks have interesting changes in tempo and time signatures, and measured as individual pieces these are some of the better works by this band. Indeed, "Sunny Sunday's Sunset" is one of the best things the group ever did, reminding one somewhat of Nektar in their very best moments. Grobschnitt was often compared to Yes for both virtuosity and instrumental interplay, and on this album the reason for the comparison is obvious. It is difficult to imagine any actual confusion between the two, partly because Yes never had a drummer who tossed funny voices and animal imitations into otherwise normal songs. If you are looking for Jumbo and can only find the German version, feel free to get it instead, as it is musically almost identical and every bit as enjoyable. It may even be a better overall experience, as you are free to listen to the sweeping majesty of "The Excursion of Father Smith" without being distracted by the vague and confusing story line.

by Richard Foss, AMG

Tracklist:

01 Jupp
02 The Excursion Of Father Smith
03 The Clown
04 Dream And Reality
005 Sunny Sunday's Sunset
6 Auf Wiedersehen

Bonus Tracks:
07 Vater Schmidt / Father Smith (Live At Quartier Latin, Berlin 1981)
08 The Clown (Live At Städt. Gymnasium, Gütersloh 1977)
09 Sunny Sunday's Sunset (Live At Städt. Gymnasium, Gütersloh 1977)
10 The A.F. Lünen (Live At Haus der Jugend, Lünen 1977)
11 Snowflakes (Basic Version)







Tracklist:

01 Jupp
02 Vater Schmidt's Wandertag
03 Der Clown
04 Traum Und Wirklichkeit
05 Sonntag's Sonnabend
06 Auf Wiedersehen

Bonus Tracks:
07 Vater Schmidt / Father Smith (Live At Jugendheim Niedermühlenkamp, Bielefeld 1977)
08 The Clown (Live At Haus Der Jugend, Lünen 1977)
09 Sunny Sunday's Sunset (Live At Haus Der Jugend, Lünen 1977)
10 Sonnenflug (Live)
11 Der Ölberg, Wie Er Singt Und Lacht (Live At Haus Der Offenen Tür, Rheine 1975)

Rockpommel's Land represents the height of Grobschnitt's career, combining all of the elements of the more palliated and subdued side of progressive rock onto one solid concept album. While comparisons to Yes appear in both the lyrics and the instrumentation, the band still manages to instill a genuine magic to the four tracks through heavy keyboard employment and by conjuring up some of the finest symphonic texturing that Grobschnitt has ever played. The fairy tale is about a fantastical giant bird that befriends a small boy, and the two travel to mystical places and far-off lands together, experiencing their share of adventure and misfortune along the way. Even though this imaginative story line is well-suited to the fantasy- like world of progressive rock, the instruments easily supersede any part of the album's magical anecdote. This is not to say that the music doesn't coincide appropriately with the tale – in fact, the music clings quite well to the lyrics – but the effectiveness of the synthesizer, the percussion work, and the other electronics paints a more descriptive picture than the words themselves. Both "Ernie's Reise" and "Severity Town" introduce Wildswein's soft vocals and the finesse of both the electric and acoustic guitar. The last track, a 20-minute musical excursion of vivid synth work, relaxed but moving string and drum collaborations, and ever-changing rhythms, is well-worth waiting for, wrapping up the album with each member exposing their individual talents. Past Grobschnitt albums have revealed the band's whimsical, sometimes humorous approach to making music, exhibited in both the lyrics and in the chimeric sound of the instruments, but Rockpommel's Land is a finely tuned, well-focused display of the band's poignancy and musical capacity.

by Mike DeGagne, AMG

Tracklist CD01:

01 Ernie's Reise
02 Severity Town
03 Anywhere
04 Rockpommel's Land

Bonus Tracks:
05 Anywhere (Meditative Instrumental Mix)
06 Rockpommel's Land (Meditative Instrumental Mix)
07 Rockpommel's Medley (Live At Schwarzwaldhalle, Appenweier 1981)




Tracklist CD02:

01 Hallo Hamburg (Live At Winterhuder Fährhaus, Hamburg 1977)
02 Eroc Tells … Part 1 (Live At Winterhuder Fährhaus, Hamburg 1977)
03 Ernie's Reise (Live At Winterhuder Fährhaus, Hamburg 1977)
04 Lupo Tells … Part 1 (Live At Winterhuder Fährhaus, Hamburg 1977)
05 Severity Town (Live At Winterhuder Fährhaus, Hamburg 1977)
06 Eroc Tells … Part 2 (Live At Winterhuder Fährhaus, Hamburg 1977)
07 Rockpommel's Land (Live At Winterhuder Fährhaus, Hamburg 1977)
08 Lupo Tells … Part 2 (Live At Winterhuder Fährhaus, Hamburg 1977)
09 Anywhere (Live At Grugahalle, Essen 1979)
10 Rockpommel's Medley (Live At Stadthalle, Bremen 1979)

A progressive rock milestone. "Solar Music" evokes such a perfect harmony between strong lyrics and heavy repertoires of long drum solos. Strongly recommended for those prog rock fans who are intrepid and restless when it comes to discover new horizons within the 70's lost worlds of prog. A must have! It isn't only the live version of their previous works, it is a whole different experience beyond that. The power and passion of this miraculous exercise made music, is simply incomparable to anything regarding not only the prog scene of the 70's, but the nowadays prog, turning this 9 pieces set, into the greatest live recording of Progressive Rock. You won't believe the magnetism, the interaction and the charisma this German band's got prepared for your, it is useless to resist the charm, you will get sucked in the world of GROBSCHNITT. The remastered CD edition contains previously unreleased material (under license of EROC, of course): "The Missing 13 Minutes", a very spacial, moody melody. If you get to listen to this album, I also recommend other GROBSCHNITT's symphonic art works such as "Rock Pommel's Land" and "Ballermann".

by The Prognaut, progarchives

Tracklist CD01 - Live At Otto Pankok Forum, Mülheim 1978:

01 Solar Music I
02 Food Sicore
03 Solar Music II
04 Mühlheim Special
05 Otto Pankrock
06 Golden Mist
07 Solar Music III

Bonus Tracks:
08 The Missing 13 Minutes (Live At Otto Pankok Forum, Mülheim 1978)
09 Vanishing Towards The East (Live At Otto Pankok Forum, Mülheim 1978)
10 Suntrip (The Roots Of Solar Music)




Tracklist CD02 - Live At Winterhuder Fährhaus, Hamburg 1977:

01 Das Fährhaus-Lied
02 Solar Fährhaus I
03 Lupo's Theme
04 Solar Fährhaus II
05 Fährhaus Special
06 Solar Guitar-Battle
07 Eroc's Fährhaus
08 Wonderful Mist
09 Solar Fährhaus III
10 Solar Melody
11 Heavenly Music

Considered by many to be the second last good GROBSCHNITT album before the departure of EROC. In fact consciously GROBSCHNITT elected after "Merry Go Round" to stop recording their signature fairytale - like music and move more in the spirit of the '80's. Considering this was one of the later 'SCHNITT albums it contains many of their most beloved melodies. "Merry-Go-Round" contains everything that you would expect with great drumming - bass - guitar interplay with fairytale-like keyboards and atmospheres. Songs are exceptionally well written and performed and if you are a completist then you can snag Repetroire's re-mastered version with bonus tracks. The careful observer will notice that Conny Plank did not do the sound engineering on this album marking the start of a direction change for GROBSCHNITT. "Merry Go Round" is a fabulous album all the way through and ranks up there with their best output in my mind.

by loserboy, progarchives

Tracklist:

01 Come On People
02 Merry-Go-Round
03 A.C.Y.M.
04 Du Schaffst Das Nicht
05 Coke Train
06 May Day

Bonus Tracks:
07 Merry-Go-Round (Live At Volkshaus, Zürich 1979)
08 Die Säule Der Nation (Live At Volkshaus, Zürich 1979)
09 May Day (Live At Volkshaus, Zürich 1979)
10 Come On People (Live At Ostwestfalenhalle, Kaunitz 1978)
11 Coke Train (Live At Ostwestfalenhalle, Kaunitz 1978)
12 Merry-Go-Round (Session Remix)

Another live album by the band. Not as convincing and enigmatic as my all time favorite live recording "Solar Music", but it's got some sparkly moments like the ingenious parody of disco folkloric boy band "Village People" hit in "A.C.Y.M." Recorded on the road and through several cities in Germany in 1979, "Volle Molle" is a very odd piece of work.

The tenacity and disposition displayed by EROC in this album is that extremely peculiar star that made this project shine, otherwise it would've crumbled down irremediably. The intro song, "Snowflakes"; suits perfectly the original intention of the recording at all: to give and to get a nice, pleasant time by doing it and by getting to pull this off in the end.

I have to recognize that the band itself tried by all means to give away a plausible, refined work, but they kind of failed by trying so damn hard. "Rockpommel's Land" sounded just great live, the arranging and the perfect composition to make it sound off masterfully is the most dignifying gesture I have to applaud here. Maybe at the time "Volle Molle" was released, the igniting sparkle the band got from the get go with "Grobschnitt" was already expiring, slowly extinguishing. And the band got that right.

EROC put himself together during the years to come and got to produce and accomplish some projects at the time he achieved the partnership with Repertoire Records and that way, he got to make good money out of GROBSCHNITT's name by editing album versions previously unreleased like the band's debut "Grobschnitt" and "Solar Music" itself, that were remastered under license from EROC. This is a album just for completionists and devoted, sacrificed GROBSCHNITT remaining fans.

by The Prognaut, progarchives

Tracklist:

Live:
01 Kleiner Häuptling Großer Bär
02 Snowflakes
03 A.C.Y.M.
04 Wuppertal Punk
05 Beifall
06 Ein Traum Vom Wald
07 Waldeslied
08 Coke-Train-Show
09 Rockpommel's Land

Bonus Track:
10 Solar Music Power Play Köln

One of the great works of art from one of the greatest prog acts of all time! "Illegal" delivers a nice rich prog landscape for the listener to journey into. I love every track deeply on this recording and it is pure magic through and through. It was very hard picking my favorite GROBSCHNITT recording to include here, but "Illegal" is one of those albums that I keep on coming back to time and time again. "Illegal" is filled with the unmistakable sound of classic GROBSCHNITT….flowing guitars and keyboards mixed with very strong German vocals (in english) of Wildstein put to some great prog moments. Their music is much more accessible than many of the underground prog acts of this time period. All songs are very well constructed and represent some of GROBSCHNITT's most complete and acclaimed work ever.

by loserboy, progarchives

Tracklist:

01 The Sniffer
02 Space Rider
03 Mary Green
04 Silent Movie
05 Joker
06 Illegal
07 Simple Dimple
08 Raintime

Bonus Tracks:
09 Silent Movie (Alternate Mix)
10 Joker (Alternate Mix)
11 Mary Green (Live At Quartier Latin, Berlin 1981)
12 The Sniffer (Live At Quartier Latin, Berlin 1981)
13 Du Schaffst Das Nicht (Live At Grugahalle, Essen 1981)

Now here is a strange release : most Grobschnitt albums up to this point have been sure- fire winners, then we get something that sounds like, to my ears anyway, a cold, metallic, goofy New Wave arrangement which hardly resembles anything they had done before. Now that that has been said, it's not entirely a write-off, not at all, in fact Razzia actually has certain charm and I, personally, am glad they tried something radically different. The album opens up with (Wir Wollen Sterben) silly voices and even sillier singing, complete with synth and claptrap and synthetic drums. I'd probably say that the band had lots of fun recording this album. Next track 'Remscheid' has a slightly heavy riff from guitarist Lupo, with boomy drums, simple synth lines and bass and Wildschwein's cool singing, which has been said to be of an acquired taste, and I agree. The lengthy title track has a solid, danceable beat to it, and contains a degree of spaciness, almost ambient toward the end but slightly marred by 'infant bleating'. Side two opens with Der Alte Freund, kind of an offbeat, alternative pop track. Next up, Schweine im Weltall (translates to 'Pigs in Space') is similar to the previous track and quite over-the-top with their brand of humour. The only truly, melodic song here to be found, and quite worthy of radio play, is Poona Express, which is an enjoyable, laid-back track whose sound is a lot 'warmer' than the rest of the album. Album closer 'Wir Wollen Leben' is an anthemic little ditty that rounds things off nicely, if a little on the boring side. 2 stars seems a bit low, 3 may be to high, therefore 2 and 1/2 shall suffice, but I'll back the album up by ticking the 3 star box.

by Tom Ozric, progarchives

Tracklist:

01 Wir Wollen Sterben
02 Remscheid
03 Razzia
04 Der Alte Freund
05 Schweine Im Weltall
06 Poona Express
07 Wir Wollen Leben

Bonus Tracks:
08 Live Intro (Tour 1981 / Live At The Shed, Sprockhövel 1981)
09 Razzia (Alternate Mix / Feat. Volker Mist On Keyboards)
10 Wir Wollen Sterben (Extended Version)
11 Live Intro (Tour 1983 / Live At Philipshalle, Düsseldorf 1983)
12 Razzia (Live At Philipshalle, Düsseldorf 1983)
13 Lupo's Düsseldorfer Komplimente (Live At Philipshalle, Düsseldorf 1983)
14 Poona Express (Live At Philipshalle, Düsseldorf 1983)
15 Wir Wollen Leben (Live At Philipshalle, Düsseldorf 1983)

Grobschnitt - 'Kinder und Narren' (Children and Fools) is their 10th album (including the live releases) and, shoot me down, I like it. It is yet another concept album, the inner sleeve has an in-depth story in German so I couldn't say what it's about, I ought to get it translated some day. The line-up has undergone an incredible make-over, with original drummer/founder member 'Eroc' having left the fold and keyboardist 'Mist' long gone, and they never really had a stable Bass-player, Milla Kapolke filling in the role here, and contributing vocals. Replacements seem more in tune with the 'Pop' genre than Prog, bringing us a kind of Neo-Prog-ish/Pop album with flashes of inspiration, 'Orakel' being the best example of this, with its odd-time sigs and sectioned structure - some great keys- work from newbie Jurgen Kramer is sure to excite some listeners. 'Ich Liebe Dich' is just beautiful, with a 'Tony Banksian' piano arrangement. Remaining tracks range from M.O.R. to hard rockers, with a very 80's synth-pop sound. It's an improvement over its predecessor, 'Razzia', it's worlds away from 'Solar Music', but I don't think that it fits the bill of total rubbish. I find similarities with Genesis S/T from 1983. 3 stars - generous perhaps, but as I mentioned earlier, I like it.

by Tom Ozric, progarchives

Tracklist:

01 Kinder Und Narren
02 Paradox
03 Orakel
04 Geradeaus
05 Keine Angst
06 Ich Liebe Dich
07 Augenstern
08 Wie Der Wind
09 Die Kinder Ziehn Zum Strand
10 Könige Der Welt

Bonus Tracks:
11 Keine Angst (Alternate Version)
12 Wie Der Wind (Alternate Version)
13 Könige Der Welt (Alternate Version)
14 Paradox (Live At Hellweghalle, Erwitte 1984)
15 Orakel (Live At Hellweghalle, Erwitte 1984)
16 Die Kinder Ziehn Zum Strand (Live At Hellweghalle, Erwitte 1984)
17 Wie Der Wind (Alternate Mix)

The German progrock legend Grobschnitt has released many live albums, this one is from 1985 and has on the front cover a sticker with "New Solar music version". Although the track list mentions seven tracks, this live LP is entirely dedicated to that new "Solar music" version.

Side one starts with an introduction, ending with the words "Viel Spass mit Solar music" which means "Enjoy the Solar music". The first part is very dynamic 'prog and roll', halfway featuring many great soli on electric guitar, saxophone, piano and acoustic guitar, all accompanied by a lush string-synthesizer sound, wonderful.

Side two starts with a slow rhythm and gradually becomes more bombastic. Then a propulsive mid-tempo, culminating in a catchy rhythm with distinctive German vocals, piano and synthesizer flights (like JM JARRE). The climate changes into mellow with spacey synthesizer sounds and electronic drums. The final part contains a splendid build-up guitar solo, first howling and then biting, ending in a kind of prog metal avant-la-lettre, what a dynamic sound!

This album has not the magic from the Seventies but it sounds fresh, pleasant and inspired.

by erik neuteboom, progarchives

Tracklist:

Live At University Hall, Saarbrücken 1985:
01 Explosionen
02 Polar Traum
03 Sonnentanz
04 Neonherz
05 Wir Sind Die Sonne
06 Uhrkampf
07 Solar Energie

Bonus Tracks:
08 Go For Love '86
09 Geradeaus
10 Sonnentanz '86

After the appalling DX7-laden mess that was KINDER + NARREN, the only way to go was up. With that foreknowledge, the group played down to our lowered expectations. The keyboard tones are still awfully DX7-y, but Thomas Waßkönig definitely has a more subtle, nuanced hand than Jürgen Cramer and his fortissimo synth-brass steamrolling all over everything.

Musically, there's some enjoyable, even proggy moments to be found here. The lengthy "Film im Kopf" and the rock oriented "Mauerblumen/Komm' und tanz'" are clearly the disc's highlights. Sadly, Toni Moff Mollo is relegated to backing vocals full-time at the expense of more strangulated lead vocals by Milla.

by Progbear, progarchives

Tracklist:

01 Auf Dem Seil
02 Fantasten
03 Unser Himme
04 Hallo Mama
05 Sous Le Tapis
06 Mein Leben
07 Mauerblumen
08 Komm' Und Tanz'
09 Film Im Kopf
10 Der Weg Nach Haus

Bonus Tracks:
11 Fantasten (Alternate Mix)
12 Hallo Mama (Alternate Mix)
13 Mein Leben (Alternate Mix)
14 Opening Eschwege (Live At Open Flair Festival, Eschwege 1986)
15 Fantasten (Live At Open Flair Festival, Eschwege 1986)
16 Wie Der Wind (Live At Open Flair Festival, Eschwege 1986)
17 Hallo Mama (Live At Open Flair Festival, Eschwege 1986)
18 Nie Wieder Monotonie (Live At Stadthalle, Hagen 1985)







Tracklist CD01:

01 Keine Angst
02 Space Rider
03 Razzia / Illegal
04 Silent Movie
05 Raintime
06 Lupo's Märchenstunde
07 Wie Der Wind
08 Mary Green
09 Anywhere
10 Simple Dimple
11 Unglaublich
12 Silent Movie (Part 2)

Bonus Tracks:
13 Die 5 Wuppertaler
14 Go For Love '89
15 Unser Himmel
16 Komm Und Tanz




Tracklist CD02 - Bonus:

01 Ansage Lupo
02 Explosionen '89
03 Polar Traum '89
04 Sonnentanz '89
05 Neonherz '89
06 Wir Sind Die Sonne '89
07 Uhrkampf '89
08 Merlin's Sonne
09 Solar Energie '89
10 Finale Last Party
11 Mary Green
12 Der Weg Nach Haus
13 Abschied





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