SWF-SESSION VOL. 1

This is another excellent Krautrock discovery for me. JUD'S GALLERY never released a studio album even though they toured with many big bands in Germany including BEGGER'S OPERA, GOLDEN EARRING and more. Fortunately they did go into the SWF radio station studios twice and that's what we get here.Tracks 1-5 are from the first session (1972) while 6-9 is later in 1974.The later recordings sound more Krautrock-like with a more psychedelic style.There's Hammond organ on that later session too with a somewhat different band lineup. My copy has a bonus track called "New Day's Dawning" recorded at Home studio in 1975 and it's a killer 13 1/2 minute track. I should mention that Jurgen Winter the leader of the band sued Gary Moore for plagerism, accusing him of copying the guitar solo from their "Nordrach" track and using it on his 1990 hit "Still Got The Blues". One has to wonder how Moore could have even heard that track since the song wasn't even out on an album, and let's face it this is an obscure German band. Well Gary's roadie, live-mixer and good friend at the time William Hindmarsh did work with JUD'S GALLERY back in the seventies on their live shows.That's the connection and the judge sided with Jurgen and the band as they won the case over Moore. Interesting stuff.

"Inspiration" is heavy to start then it settles back and the guitar starts to solo in a raw yet laid back manner.It kicks back into that earlier soundscape as the contrasts continue. "Danger Of Shoot" is on this this recording twice.This earlier version pales to the later one. I just find the violin too prominant here for my tastes.The last half is better though as the guitar gets more prominance. "Follow Me" is mellow with acoustic guitar and piano leading the way. Bass and electric guitar join in and it turns heavier 2 1/2 minutes in. It picks up 4 minutes in but settles back with the guitar soloing in a relaxed manner. It's heavier again 7 minutes then it picks up.Violin joins in. "Friends" is a peace song. Gentle guitar and reserved vocals lead the way.Some female backing vocals as well. It's all about the lyrics. "Catch The Fly" is experimental at first then the violin and bass kick in then guitar before 2 minutes. A heavy rhythm follows.Violin continues until it stops before 4 minutes. Nice bass with a beat and the guitar joins in. Love this ! The violin is back before 7 minutes to end it.

"Reaching" is the start of the later sessions. This is uptempo as the vocals join in quickly.The guitar is prominant everytime the vocals stop. Bass, drums and guitar put on a show 2 1/2 minutes in.Vocals are back after 5 minutes. "Danger Of Shoot" has this laid back guitar as bass,cymbals the vocal melodies join in.This is great ! Reserved vocals after 2 minutes but they do become passionate.The guitar is more aggressive before 6 minutes. "Nordrach" is uptempo with the guitar leading early. Organ joins in and the drums are relentless.This is repetitive but oh so good ! A change before 8 1/2 minutes as the guitar and sound get louder. Another change before 10 minutes as wind, floating organ, vocal melodies then guitar ends it. What a song ! "White Woman" doesn't do much for me with those crazy vocal outbursts.

"New Day's Dawning" is the bonus track. A haunting atmosphere to start as some sparse algean flute comes in and distant sounding vocals. A beat and psychedelic sounding guitar arrive 4 minutes in as the vocals echo.The bass becomes prominant.Amazing stuff right here, so psychedelic. It kicks in heavily after 10 minutes but then settles back with percussion as the tempo then picks up with guitar and bass. It's catchy too as he sings over and over "Morning, morning, a new day's dawning".

A must for those who are into the Krautrock scene.