WER SCHMETTERLINGE LACHEN HÖRT

This is a compilation from tracks recorded between 1976 and 1978, it features also two live versions. In my opinion this album captures the great dynamics from this acclaimed German band (the name is derived from a German poet), from romantic and mellow to up-tempo and bombastic. The lush and varied (vintage) keyboardplay is a very pleasant embellishment to the wonderful progrock from Novalis. 1 - Irgendwo, irgendwan (4.35) It starts up-tempo and cheerful featuring nice German vocals, some fiery electric guitar runs and in the end Hammond organ floods, synthesizer flights and a biting electric guitar solo. 2 - Der Geigerspieler (8.14) The intro delivers the sound of a violin player (Geigerspieler is German for violinplayer), playing on the street. Then a warm twanging acoustic guitar, violin-Mellotron and soft synthesizer flights. The combination of the romantic vocals, the twanging acoustic guitar and soaring Mellotron sound is very moving. We can enjoy mellow eruptions featuring choir-Mellotron, string-ensemble, Hammond organ a more powerful vocals. After a short piece of acoustic rhythm guitar we can enjoy a mid-tempo with an organ solo, supported by harder-edged guitar riffs. The final part delivers a very sensitive guitar solo. 3 - Aufbruch (9.37) The music changes from mellow with organ and twanging guitars to mid-tempo with fiery electric guitar and Fender piano to compelling with soft organ waves and moving electric guitar work. In the end there is a bombastic climate featuring a propulsive rhythm-section and a splendid Hammond organ solo. This track is a good example of the varied sound from Novalis. 4 - Astralis (live) (9.25) Another varied composition, from mellow with emotional vocals to bombastic with lush organ. The break with the distinctive clavinet sound is great! 5 Wenn nicht mehr Zahlen und Figuren (3.03) The most beautiful piece Novalis ever wrote: what a moving sound from the classical guitar, soft piano and warm vocals. WONDERFUL! 6 Vielleicht bin ich ein Clown? (6.22) This means in German "Perhaps I am a clown?" and I noticed in the lyrics a cynical metaphor, translated into English "Perhaps I am a hollow tree that dreams from leaves and blossom", how typical! The song contains a swinging rhythm with piano and powerful vocals, a flute solo in the vein of Thijs van Leer (FOCUS), a mid-tempo with organ and in the end a sensitive and howling guitar solo. 7 Wer Schmetterlinge lachen hort (live) (9.14) The final song (in English it means "Who hears butterflies laughing") is the other live recording, the climates change from a slow rhythm with mellow organ to propulsive rhythm-section with biting electric guitar and powerful organ waves. Halfway the music slows down and goes into a great build-up: mellow organ and high-pitched vocals, then a swelling rhythm-section with Mellotron, culminating in a sensational bombastic outburst featuring fiery electric guitar, SPLENDID! Then a staccato rhythm, lush organ and senstitive electric guitar play, followed by a kind of prog 'n' roll like URIAH HEEP on "Live", very dynamic with powerful organ and electic guitar. The final part contains militairy drums that accompany a lush keyboard sound featuring soaring Hammond organ (church organ-like) and majestic choir-Mellotron, GREAT! This compilation is a good introduction to the unique sound from Novalis. They made some dreamy and more laidback albums, this one features their great dynamics.