While their albums throughout the early and mid 1970s were landmarks of stylistic innovation and studio mastery, Can in the live setting was a band of startling, head wringing power. Most concerts would contain just a few tunes pulled from their various LPs, with the majority of the show left open to the whims of improvisation. Heady music in its most adventurous form. Songs would swell to double, at times triple the length of their studio counterparts, vocalization was sparse if it appeared at all and was treated as another instrument in the mix when it did, and the sheer volume and intensity of the music would reach cathartic levels. Originally part of the Can Box package, Can Live Music (1971-1977) collects material from the band's "golden period" and presents it here with tremendous fidelity. "You Doo Right" is incredible as usual, but here it emerges from the audience's rhythmic clapping as if being summoned from the depths. "Colchester Finale" is a massive 37+ minute jam that incorporates more than a few morsels from Tago Mago before falling in on itself in a swirl of chaos and stopping - quite miraculously - on a dime. Only nine tracks in all, but the majority of what's contained on this double live set is beyond compare, even when lined up to their studio output. This is the other side of the coin. Enjoy.
Showing posts with label Can. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Can. Show all posts
Friday
Can
Can Live: Music - 1971-1977
While their albums throughout the early and mid 1970s were landmarks of stylistic innovation and studio mastery, Can in the live setting was a band of startling, head wringing power. Most concerts would contain just a few tunes pulled from their various LPs, with the majority of the show left open to the whims of improvisation. Heady music in its most adventurous form. Songs would swell to double, at times triple the length of their studio counterparts, vocalization was sparse if it appeared at all and was treated as another instrument in the mix when it did, and the sheer volume and intensity of the music would reach cathartic levels. Originally part of the Can Box package, Can Live Music (1971-1977) collects material from the band's "golden period" and presents it here with tremendous fidelity. "You Doo Right" is incredible as usual, but here it emerges from the audience's rhythmic clapping as if being summoned from the depths. "Colchester Finale" is a massive 37+ minute jam that incorporates more than a few morsels from Tago Mago before falling in on itself in a swirl of chaos and stopping - quite miraculously - on a dime. Only nine tracks in all, but the majority of what's contained on this double live set is beyond compare, even when lined up to their studio output. This is the other side of the coin. Enjoy.
While their albums throughout the early and mid 1970s were landmarks of stylistic innovation and studio mastery, Can in the live setting was a band of startling, head wringing power. Most concerts would contain just a few tunes pulled from their various LPs, with the majority of the show left open to the whims of improvisation. Heady music in its most adventurous form. Songs would swell to double, at times triple the length of their studio counterparts, vocalization was sparse if it appeared at all and was treated as another instrument in the mix when it did, and the sheer volume and intensity of the music would reach cathartic levels. Originally part of the Can Box package, Can Live Music (1971-1977) collects material from the band's "golden period" and presents it here with tremendous fidelity. "You Doo Right" is incredible as usual, but here it emerges from the audience's rhythmic clapping as if being summoned from the depths. "Colchester Finale" is a massive 37+ minute jam that incorporates more than a few morsels from Tago Mago before falling in on itself in a swirl of chaos and stopping - quite miraculously - on a dime. Only nine tracks in all, but the majority of what's contained on this double live set is beyond compare, even when lined up to their studio output. This is the other side of the coin. Enjoy.
Wednesday
Can
Soon Over Babaluma - 1974
The final LP in what many refer to as Can's "golden period," Soon Over Babaluma was also their first album following the departure of vocalist Damo Suzuki. As a logical progression from the ambient funk of its predecessor Future Days, Soon Over Babaluma explored this theme even further and featured guitarist Michael Karoli and keyboardist Irmin Schmidt taking over Suzuki's vocal duties with surprisingly effective results. While they would continue to produce music that was a marked improvement over their krautrock contemporaries, this LP is the last of their career that worked well as a whole, and (coincidentally) their final album to be recorded using a two-track recorder. Amazing, amazing stuff.
The final LP in what many refer to as Can's "golden period," Soon Over Babaluma was also their first album following the departure of vocalist Damo Suzuki. As a logical progression from the ambient funk of its predecessor Future Days, Soon Over Babaluma explored this theme even further and featured guitarist Michael Karoli and keyboardist Irmin Schmidt taking over Suzuki's vocal duties with surprisingly effective results. While they would continue to produce music that was a marked improvement over their krautrock contemporaries, this LP is the last of their career that worked well as a whole, and (coincidentally) their final album to be recorded using a two-track recorder. Amazing, amazing stuff.
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