THE HISTORY OF SOLAR MUSIC VOL. 5

First of all, because it is related with "Solar Music". But most important, because each time that I'm listening to this stellar piece of music (whatever the version), I am deeply thinking of my friend Febus who passed away a year ago on a sad early December day. He loved the band and shared his passion with lots of us.

"Grobschnitt" has now released an awful lot of different versions of this masterpiece with different qualities: from the original studio "song" to this one which is one of the oldest available (except the one from Osterholz recorded in 1973 and available on the second volume of these histories).

As usual, the long closing part is very emotional and consists of a great crescendo play which is a delight for any prog ears (and I really mean this).

I could compare this fifth episode of the "Solar Music" to the third one. Good interpretation of the giant track but average fillers to reach again an ultra long double CD (was is all needed)?

Some of these tracks like the grotesque "Razzia Dortmund" which shows their decadent facet or the weak, experimental, shouting and avoidable "Illegal" are quite inscrutable for me. There are also very basic and average songs ("Poona Express") which makes the first disc of this offering only remarkable for "Solar Music".

To be complete, I would add that this version of "Mary Green" is spectacular, wild, upbeat and there is a huge guitar part involved. Once the vocal intro has been digested, the instrumental is just splendid and brings your faithfully to the high spheres?Another excellent moment. Definitely much better than the studio version (which was not difficult).

Of disk two, I would point out the elegant "Silent Movie" which is almost ruined by an awful background crow noise. A real pain. Another fine moment is the potpourri called "12 Jahre Grobschnitt" which is a pleasant trip into their discography.

The version of "Solar Music" recorded in Dortmund in 1984 features the best and most enjoyable vocal parts of all during the introduction (and I have listened to quite a few). No raw shouts as usual, but sweet and melodic voice. Quite different to what's usually available. Very good start.

The whole of this recording sounds very polished and symphonic. Eroc's remastering work is wonderful but what comes after this first section (which lasts just over nine minutes) is a full improvisation that holds more vocals and sounds totally different than the original version. It has actually little to do with it.

It starts as "Solar Music" but that's it. It could have been called "Solar Music, Second Edition". And it is not on par with the master model.

As you can see dear Antoine, this is not the best "History Of Solar Music" available. I would recommend to stick to "Volume I" (the best as far as I'm concerned) or "III". Don't waste your time up there listening to this one.

Two stars.