LIVE NINETYFIVE

I have owned this CD for couple of years now and I rarely played the CD because I thought it was too poppy and put it back at my CD shelf. When this site features this band, I start to look at the CD again. After I spun something about three times there was one song that strike me back my memory the days when I was in school in the 70s. I was not quite sure about it but when I tried to refresh my memory roughly 30 years back - uugh . such a long time ago, time flies, really! - oh yeah . BOOM! Track number nine "Friends" was once my favorite one. It was one of the tracks under compilation of R&B music compiled by Prambors, the local radio for young people. The reason I liked the song was because it's the only track different from the others especially on the way organ and guitar are played. It reminded me to the classic rock music as it contained organ and electric guitar solo in relatively long duration. One thing that did not alarm me at all was the fact that as far I know at the time the cassette compiler did put "Friends" as a song by ATLANTIS. Nothing wrong, because Rumpf and Kravetz were in Frumpy as well as Atlantis. Oh .. thanks to ProgArchives for helping me to recall back songs that colored my schooldays very long time ago.

Let's talk about Frumpy which was originated back to Hamburg, Germany in the sixties when they started out of a folk outfit called "The City Preachers". Inga Rumpf on vocals/guitar/percussion, French Jean-Jacques Kravetz on keyboard, Karl-Heinz Schott on bass and Carsten Bohn on drums. "All Will be Changed" was their debut on Philips label, released in August 1970. Some people reckoned that it It was a folky/progressive rock album influenced by classical undertones. The follow-up album, "Frumpy 2", came out in 1971, featured guitarist Rainer Baumann. This can be said as Frumpy's best album and comprised just two tracks per side. Music critics considered this album as one of the best German progressive albums of its time. The follow-up album (third) "By the Way"', was an excellent one, released in 1972 on the Vertigo label. The music direction had moved into a more radio friendly style while maintaining their progressive and folk styles. The title track of this album is awesome and it has become one of rock music's all-time favorite ever written. Frumpy was then disbanded and "Frumpy Live", a double album, was released after the band had split. Rumpf and Kravetz continued their music journey into poppier music outfit by forming the band called Atlantis.

"Live Ninety-Five" was recorded at their famous hunting ground, Hamburg's "Fabrik" in 1995. It's basically a reunion concert with a classic and best line-up. All the eleven tracks performed and recorded here are basically accessible tracks for most people. So please do not imagine that this is a truly prog music live performance. I really enjoy spinning this CD because the live vibes are good and also the sonic quality is excellent. Inga Rumpf still performs her best singing with a blues-tinged voice. She is really a great singer and I never find any singer similar to her voice. The music offered right here with this live album is basically R&B but with rocking keyboard / organ and guitar work that represent the classic rock style. That's basically the beauty of all songs performed here.

Take the opening track "Loverman" (4:33) which starts off through a funky / groove style rhythm section but it's nicely overlaid with pulsating keyboard / organ work by Kravetz. The organ solo is really excellent. The following tracks "Get Together", "Amazone Dreams" (4:47) and "In And Out Of Studios" (3:55) continue the same style as the opening track. All of them are good songs and very enjoyable. In addition to Kravetz, Rainer Baumann delivers his stunning classic rock guitar style.

"How The Gipsy Was Born" (9:14) is an excellent song with soaring organ sound at the opening part which later bring the music into a bluesy style with powerful Inga Rumpf 's voice. The song is pretty rewarding to enjoy as it flows naturally from start to end with organ and guitar sounds in intertwined style. The guitar solo in the middle of the track is really stunning and it reminds us to the classic rock style. The other track which also stands out is "Come On" (5:46) followed with my all-time favorite which I have almost forgotten: "Friends" (9:02). "Friends" starts off with simple drum work followed with nice music that brings into R&B style. The organ provides great solo and continued with guitar solo. As usual, Inga Rumpf voice is really excellent and has made the song truly attractive. I always repeat this song many times. The concluding track "Backwater Blues" (7:52) is also excellent.

Overall, this live CD is very good and I never regret owning the CD. It gives me a good combination of R&B and classic rock music. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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