SONNENTANZ - LIVE

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.

If you would compare this live album with their mot recent studio effort, there are huge differences of course.

This is one out of many live stuff available around their great "Solar Music" concept. This version has little to do with the great original but is pleasant to listen to.

It is rocking like heel during some sections and it is a pleasure to see that the band didn't lose all of its musical skills. Of course, we all miss Eroc, but remember that he was present on some unbearable "Grobschnitt" work as well (Illegal", "Razzia").

This live set is not to be compared with the great "Solar Music" live of course, but it is so much better than their poor studio work, than I can just be thankful to the band to have recorde dthis live moments. At least, they reverted to some more bearable sounds. Even if this live album is far from being a great one (just listen to "Wir Sind Die Sonne", one of the weakest section of this album) it is a return to a more proggy style.

My two fave portions out of this live set is "Polartraum" which features some good sax parts and a fantastically melodic guitar. In another register, the wild and closing number "Solar Energie" is indeed full of energy and closes this album on a high and powerful note.

This album is just an appetizer for the lots of "Solar Music History that Eroc will release much, much later.

Three stars for this good come back to better feelings (even if five out of ten would be more appropriate).