AIRS ON A SHOE STRING (BEST OF)

Whether the UK branch of Amon Düül really needed a compilation after the release of just two studio albums is an interesting question. However, "Airs On A Shoestring" is an interesting album in its own right, comprising the long, freaky improvisation "One Moment's Anger Is Two Pints Of Blood" from their debut, two more commercial hard rock tracks from "Meetings With Menmachines Unremarkable Heroes From The Past", and "Hymn For The Hardcore", which would later appear on "Fool Moon". But the real gem - and the real reason to buy this - is the otherwise unreleased "Olaf (Where's My $20,000)?", a majestic, slowly unfolding progressive masterpiece that just may be the best thing they ever recorded.

AMON DÜÜL UK compilation "Airs On A Shoe String" is undoubtedly one of my favorite Krautrock release until this moment. This compilation is a good "Best Of..." and clearly not have the magic of an album but, this is important, "Airs On A Shoe String" is not only a compilation. "Airsd On A Shoe String" is a sort of testament of true Krautrock, a great moment of music and, in my humble opinion, a collextion of great music. Not a music so complicated or for die hard fans of Krautrock. I not have a favorite song (this is a limit, maybe?) because I think that "Airs On A Shoe String" is a collection of moments of Amon Duul (UK) mental creativity (as Krautrock is) and not a collection of songs. So it is difficult that I have a favorite song. In my vision of Krautrock only a total vision of an album is important. And in this case "Airs On A Shoe String" it makes no difference. Because this compilation is compact and good as an album.

It can get a little confusing for the average music fan who is checking into AMON DUUL II's discography, seeing two other bands named AMON DUUL. Lots of connections between these three bands of course. I've detailed the background for them in my review for "Fool Moon" that AMON DUUL(UK) released in 1989. But lets focus here on this version of the band.

AMON DUUL(UK) was birthed after John Weizierl moved to Wales and built an in-home studio. He contacted his former AMON DUUL II mate Dave Anderson, who also played in HAWKWIND, and they would add Guy Evans(VDGG) on drums and Julie Wareing on vocals. And we have a band! This band would operate pretty much for the whole decade of the 80's with their final two releases coming in 1989. AMON DUUL II released one album in the 80's called "Vortex" from 1981, and Weizierl actually plays guitar on a few tracks on that one, and is listed as a guest.

My first taste of this band was their 1981 debut called "Hawk Meets Penguin" with that haunting, black and white album cover with a coffin that has AMON DUUL II written on it. The penguin(Weizierl) standing on it, while the hawk(Anderson) is flying in. That one was frustrating only for the lack of information. I guess Weizierl was frustrated with the music business and wasn't playing nice at this point. I don't blame him when I hear of his experiences. I don't have the followup to that 1981 debut, but I understand they went in a commercial direction, while the debut was very much an old school Krautrock record. There are two tracks on this "best of" release from that second album released in 1984, and they are the two worst tracks on here.

Their third album "Die Losung" from 1989 was pretty good, but a three star album. It was cool though that OZRIC TENTACLE members Joey Hinton and Ed Wynne guest along with guitarist Tony McPhee, and singer Robert Calvert from HAWKWIND. The only real major change with this band came with their second and final release in 1989 called "Fool Moon" where Julie leaves and Calvert takes over the vocal duties. Yes! "Fool Moon" is my favourite album of theirs. There's one track on this "best of" record from "Fool Moon" called "Hymn For The Hardcore" and I believe it's their only track they ever did with sitar on it. They apparently borrowed it from a neighbour.

My favourite track on this compilation is the only track from the debut called "One Moment Of Anger is Two Pints Of Blood". Those vocal melodies from Julie and that true Krautrock spirit make this one standout. I also really like the previously unreleased closer "Olaf(Where's My 20,000?)" at 13 1/2 minutes. It's funny seeing a "best of" album with three tracks worth between 10 and 14 minutes.

Some excellent moments on this one for sure, but that mysterious debut, along with "Fool Moon" are the ones to get in my opinion. This is a low 3 stars.