Popol Vuh - a list for the unwary...

[cybot]

Popol Vuh were certainly one of the most enigmatic groups ever to come out of Germany.Their music always defied easy categorisation.Yet anyone seeking a handle on their career has been frustrated by issues and reissues which change track listings,duplicate titles and generally confuse the issue.Thankfully, first Spalax Music and now SPV have tried to rectify the problem by re-releasing the entire Popol Vuh back catalogue on compact disc....and in the case of SPV include bonus cuts too...I'm not familiar with the CD reissues as all my collection is on vinyl so I would appreciate some kind of feedback if any of you do take the plunge - and you should, without delay.....


Guitar Heaven:

Einsjager & Siebenjager - plundered for Aguirre with the exception of the 20 minute title track... Stunning guitar!

Das Hohelied Salomos - more stunning guitar.

Seligpreisung - and more.....all from Daniel Fichelscher (ex amon Duul)



Meditational/Voices Heaven:

Hosianna Mantra - Conny Veit's guitar sounds heaven sent! As do the voices of Djong Dun and Renate Knaup (A Duul)

Agape-Agape - features the sublime Why do I Still Sleep and heavenly voices...

Spirit of Peace - not the piano meditation found on the Garten/Aguirre album (see below)
features even more soundtrack cuts...(Reinhold Messner)

Sei-Still,Wisse Ich Bin - again plundered for Fitzcarraldo



Electronic Heaven:

Affenstunde - the Big Moog and nothing but the the Big Moog....

In Den Garten Pharaos - plundered for Nosferatu and includes the side long church organ piece Vuh



Soundtrack Heaven:

Cobra Verde - the last and only 'pure' soundtrack and stunning!

Aguirre - see above and featuring the side long Vergegenwaertigung

Nosferatu (Bruder Des Schattens - Sonne Des Lichts) - see above (Garten)

Herz Aus Glass/Coeur Der Vere - different titles,same soundtrack (I think!!)

Fitzcarraldo - electronics with the Bayerischen Staatsoper Munchen;frightening!!





Compilation Heaven:

Garten/Aguirre - featuring the sublime three part piano meditation Spirit of Peace plus Vuh (Garten) and Lacrime De Ri
(Aguirre)

Nicht Hoch im Himmel - not familiar with this but by all accounts it is a reasonable compilation.

Best of Films of Werner Herzog - beginners start here...

[JAW]

Thanks for that, it's great to have a starting point, especially with an act with so many releases and styles. I look forward to play.com giving it's usual reliable service!

[cybot]

Thanks for that, it's great to have a starting point, especially with an act with so many releases and styles. I look forward to play.com giving it's usual reliable service!

Great stuff John; I know exactly which sets you're going to go for....bring on Daniel's Telecaster :-) Don't forget to let us know what you think anyway, about the music, I mean...

BTW I've just checked the prices at play.com and a quick perusal of Amazon suggests that you might be better going there....
£107 for In Den Garten....?!!??!?!?! and on cd too?!?!?!?!

[jadarin]

Cybot,
I lived in Munich for a couple of years and a German friend of mine used to play
quite a bit of Popol Vuh.I was a bit young at the time to maybe get the full impact
of what they were trying to do.I do remember Nosferatu frightening the life out of me
but all in a good way.Also I remember Einsjager & Seibenjager.
I had completely forgot about this band.

[cybot]

Cybot,
I lived in Munich for a couple of years and a German friend of mine used to play
quite a bit of Popol Vuh.I was a bit young at the time to maybe get the full impact
of what they were trying to do.I do remember Nosferatu frightening the life out of me
but all in a good way.Also I remember Einsjager & Seibenjager.
I had completely forgot about this band.

I would seriously believe that LOL...Now's the time to reacquaint yourself with this most mysterious and magical German band!