guru guru

I don`t know how many Guru Guru fans are left out there but if you`re out there what is is it that fascinates you about this unusual band which has gone through so many transformations over the years.

Great to see you Vibe, you've been too quiet!

meurglysIII wrote: I just got two of their albums over the holidays (Mani und seine Freund and Don't Call Us...), and I am very impressed. I'm definitely interested in hearing more of their albums.

Get "Känguru" and their 4th self-titled album; the latter contains their absolute classic "Der Elektrolurch" ("The Electric Batrachian").

Certif1ed wrote: I've only heard their self-titled album, and thought it was generally quite poor - and I'm quite a fan of Krautrock - the wilder and more obscure, the better. There are moments in the track "Electrolurch", but they don't really sell the band to me above, say, Amon Duul II or Erlkoenig. I definitely need to listen to more of their stuff before I can form a better overall opinion of their music - especially if they've gone through a number of changes (that sounds very interesting indeed), but I must admit I'm not sold if the self-titled album comes recommended.

The self-titled one is only recommended for "Der Elektrolurch"; the rest is not that good. But "Der Elektrolurch" is their most famous track, especially for the live-show they have when playing it (drummer Mani Neumeier appears in a batrachian costume with long tail and hops around on stage). Listen to Känguru, and you will hear their qualities. And I highly recommend their live album from 1975; one of the best live albums ever.


Edited by BaldFriede

BaldFriede wrote: ..."Der Elektrolurch" is their most famost track, especially for the live-show they have when playing it (drummer Mani Neumeier appears in a batrachian costume with long tail and hops around on stage). I must admit, I never heard that in the music... Kind of Känguru like, would you say?

Thanks for the recommendations, BF - as I say, I am very keen on Krautrock and felt a bit bitten by the self-titled album. I'll check out the two you mention

Edited by Certif1ed

A pic of Mani Neumeier with his Elektrolurch mask, but somehow without tail. Taken on the Burg Herzberg festival 2005.


Edited by BaldFriede

Great responses good to see that ( as Fripp would say ) there is life out there. I am strapped for time at present but I would have to say that it is the wierd and creative element of the guru guru concept which has attracted me to the band over the years. A good starting point for those not familiar with the band would be the 2 CD set Best Of . Itcovers their whole career up to 1981. If anyone has any questions about the band PM me I will be more than happy to help you out.

I would suggest Kanguru from their early career,
although UFO is a hard psychedelic rock early gem.
Dance of the Flames kicks off the later stuff and may
be their best studio album. If you dont mind
compilations Space Ship captures many of their
early great songs, while Best of part 2(you'll not find
many single CD discs of
psychedelic/progressive/krautrock from the 70's
better than this) captures many of the best songs
after the band matured, although there were many
lineup changes. Very Best of ..puts those 2 discs in
one package for a pretty comprehensive cover of
their career.

They were a fascinating band and very diverse
through their career. Truly one of the Great Bands
from the early Krautrock scene. The later 70's stuff
must have left Pink Floyd scratching their heads, it is
over the top! They were one of the best early 70's
examples of psychedelic hard rock, blues,
progressive rock, experimental electronics to land on
this planet!

Edited by DallasBryan

DallasBryan wrote: I would suggest Kanguru from their early career, although UFO is a hard psychedelic rock early gem. Dance of the Flames kicks off the later stuff and may be their best studio album. If you dont mind compilations Space Ship captures many of their early great songs, while Best of part 2(you'll not find many single CD discs of psychedelic/progressive/krautrock from the 70's better than this) captures many of the best songs after the band matured, although there were many lineup changes. Very Best of ..puts those 2 discs in one package for a pretty comprehensive cover of their career. They were a fascinating band and very diverse through their career. Truly one of the Great Bands from the early Krautrock scene. The later 70's stuff must have left Pink Floyd scratching their heads, it is over the top! They were one of the best early 70's examples of psychedelic hard rock, blues, progressive rock, experimental electronics to land on this planet!

Very well said. I think you put the band in a nutshell.

i had kangaru but left it in my cd player when i sent it to be repaired but it was gone when it came back. i still have the cover though.