HAWK MEETS PENGUIN

The British Amon Düül were formed by bass player Dave Anderson (who had played on the first albums of Amon Düül 2 and went to join Hawkwind after Yeti; he is the "Hawk" mentioned in the album title) and John Weinzierl, one of the guitar players of Amon Düül 2 (the "Penguin"). The album contains only 2 long tracks, one of them split into 2 halves on the original vinyl because of being overly long; on CD the 2 parts of that long track have been fused, and there is no pause at all. There is a lot of wild improvisation going on here, and it takes some time before they rock off, but when they do they really rock! Only one short passage seems to be composed, but it follows a long improvisational part. The album is very much like early Krautrock, although it was recorded about 10 years later. Anyone who loves the free-form improvisations of early Krautrock (the Cosmic Jokers come to my mind) should love this album too; others beware! This is some freaky and atonal stuff and may be boring or "just noise" for some. But I think it is an excellent addition to any prog- rock collection, therefore I give it 4 stars.

Trying to find out any information about this album is very difficult. Dave Anderson(Hawk) and John Weinzierl(Penguin) both formerly of AMON DUUL II got together in Wales to form this version of that legendary band. I've read on the "Gepr" site that Guy Evans from VDGG is the drummer on this one. I read somewhere else that the female singer on the first track is Julie Wareing. Both Julie and Guy are listed as members of this band on a later record called "Die Losung" where Robert Calvert(HAWKWIND) also plays a prominant role.

"One Moment's Anger Is Two Pints Of Blood" opens with guitar, light drums, bass and synth sounds. Quite spacey as female vocal melodies come in before a minute(they come and go). We start to get a melody 4 minutes in until a great sound is created(with keys) a minute later. It calms right down before picking back up after 6 minutes. This sounds so beautiful. Love the keys as female vocal melodies return before 8 minutes. Some tasteful guitar joins in. Again the keys and sound 9 1/2 minutes in are so simple yet so wondrous. Vocal melodies again follow. More tasteful guitar before 11 minutes. Synths late make some noise. I've played this over and over many times.

"Meditative Music From The Third Before The Producers" is divided into two parts, although they do blend together as one long 23 1/2 minute track. This one is experimental and seems like it's improvised. Percussion and bass? sounds before some spoken words then chanting arrive before 2 minutes. Spacey synth-like sounds with chanting and percussion continue into part 2. Waves of sound start to float in after 3 minutes of part 2 as different sounds come and go. This is very atmospheric and I like it. The waves stop 6 minutes into this second part as bass and percussion can barely be heard. It starts to rebuild slowly as guitar, percussion and synths take the lead. Another almost dead silence before 9 minutes. It sounds like clarinet or maybe flute 9 1/2 minutes in and to follow. No melody as different sounds come and go especially 11 minutes in. It's 13 minutes in when a jazzy melody comes to the fore. It settles back down for the final minute.

Well for my money this doesn't match what AMON DUUL II did on their earlier albums(no surprise there), but I am impressed especially since this was 1981 ! Barely 4 stars though.