Monthly Archives: June 2020

Isolation Viewing: Soft Machine

music, progessive rock, video, , , , ,

Soft Machine were formed in 1966 and issued their first single in early 1967. Shortly after that, the original line-up including founding members Daevid Allen, Kevin Ayers and Robert Wyatt went into the studio with producer Giorgio Gomelsky to record some demos. These were not issued at the time but, eventually came to light four years later on the French Byg label (and subsequently re-issued many times over the years on different labels).

Their first proper LP was released in 1968 around the time that they were touring with Jimi Hendrix. By that time, Daevid Allen was gone from the line-up which was a precursor for numerous changes over the years.

I think that the first album of theirs that I heard was their third record imaginatively called Third. It was a sprawling double LP set with a single track on each side. It remains a favourite of mine to this day.

I’ve done a bit of searching and have compiled a selection of video clips covering 1967 to 1971 for your dining and dancing pleasure.

This must be the earliest clip of the band. It includes Daevid Allen reading his poetry. It was recorded at the legendary UFO in London, 1967.

Another clip from 1967 featuring Kevin Ayers on vocals (Daevid Allen is gone).

Possibly my favourite clip of the band. Love on French TV in 1968. The audience really get into it and a couple even join them on stage to dance.

A live performance from 1969.

A live performance of Out-Bloody-Rageous from their Third album. Paris 1970.

Finally, an entire concert from Belgium in 1971.

Phew!!!

Isolation Viewing: British Folk & Folk-Rock

folk / folk-rock, music, , , , , ,

When I hear a mention of British folk and folk-rock, a few names immediately pop into my head. Top of the list is usually Fairport Convention. That’s quickly followed by the likes of Pentangle, John Martyn and Michael Chapman.

So, I’ve collected a few clips together here that give a representation of all of those people.

Many people associate Sandy Denny with Fairport Convention as she was their on-again / off-again vocalist for a few years. Only a couple of minutes of the band exist with her on vocals. So, I’ve included a nice clip of Sandy with her short-lived band Fotheringay.

Here is a very early performance of Fairport Convention on French TV in 1968. It includes original vocalists Judy Dyble and Ian Matthews. Also, a very young Richard Thompson on guitar.

Another early performance of Fairport Convention in 1970.

A rare short clip of Sandy Denny with the band from 1975.

Sandy with Fotheringay on the German TV program Beat Club in 1970.

A very early broadcast of (The) Pentangle on Norwegian in 1968.

(The) Pentangle live on BBC TV in 1970.

A John Martyn performance from 1978.

Michael Chapman is still active today. Here he is in 1970.

And again in 1975.

Enjoy!

Isolation Viewing: Krautrock

electronic music, experimental music, Krautrock, music, progessive rock, psychedelic music, , , , ,

Whether or not you are still feeling the isolation blues, it’s always nice to have something to watch. Especially in the way of interesting musical clips.

I sometimes scour youtube in search of enticing tidbits in the way of music. I quite often discover some quite interesting stuff.

Back in the ’70s, progressive music from Germany started to make inroads outside of the country and the British music press soon latched onto it giving it the name Krautrock. Some of the names which soon became familiar were Can, Amon Duul II, Kraftwerk, Cluster, Tangerine Dream and Neu! to name but a few.

Here are a few clips which I’ve collected for your viewing pleasure.

Kraftwerk on the German TV programme Beat Club ca. 1971. What is interesting here is that it is Florian Schneider accompanied by Michael Rother and Klaus Dinger who would later go on to be known as the duo Neu!

Here is another German TV clip for 1971 featuring Ralf and Florian with Wolfgang Flur on his freshly built electronic drum set.

Now, here is Can ca. 1970 on the German programme Rockpalast. Nearly an hour and a half. The Damo Suzuki era.

A wonderful documentary which covers the band’s career. Another hour and a half of Can bliss.

Here is a groovy set by Amon Duul II from Beat Club in 1970.

A compilation of Amon Duul II material spanning 1969 to 1975. Over two hours!

Here is a very unique clip of Tangerine Dream live in Berlin, 1969. This was before they acquired synthesisers and were a psychedelic, freak-out group. Edgar Froese, guitar. Klaus Schulze, drums. “Happy” Dieter, bass (according to the video notes).

The legendary performance of Tangerine Dream at Coventry Cathedral in 1975.

Well, that should keep you busy for a while!