Reviewed by: Stephanie Sollow, September 2004
Freak Out were a relatively short-lived German rock band and were Robert Musenbichler on guitar and background vocals, Peter Musenbichler on guitar and lead vocals, Max Wei?enbäck on sax, Charly Dienes on drums, Mike Gärtner on bass, and Ivan Miholić on percussion.
This, their live release, is also their only album released. Filled mostly with covers, Life does feature two pieces that the band composed, "Jamming Brother" and "Crazy Colours Of Life." "Jamming Brother" appeared on the band's 7" single, as "Jaming Brothers," and is included as a bonus track here along side the single's flip, the above mentioned "Crazy Colours…." The first of these is an energetic piece with a distinctive, funky bass riff, though it's the guitar that stands out. It may be the Ike & Tina Turner version of "Proud Mary" that I'm thinking of with that bass riff. The second of these originals is a dreamy, upbeat piece that recalls "Traces" by Classics IV, a 1969 soft-rock hit, which almost makes it seem like another cover. Gentle vocals, light sound… quite unlike the jam-rock of the rest of the album.
The set, performed before an audience of 1000 at Klangenfurt Concert Hall, April 24, 1971, opened with the Santana classic "Evil Ways." Interestingly, the set featured many Blodwyn Pig tunes, though only two were included on the actual release. In fact, only half of the band's set is included here, and now the other 9 tracks are lost (having been recorded over). A Rolling Stones tune in the form of "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" is also featured, and it's here that Dienes gets his drum solo spot, and does quite well with it. They do become a bit possessed in a psychedelic kind of way, but you do suddenly think that maybe you've stepped into the Twilight Zone. The set did include a cover of "Paint It Black," too, but it's one of the lost tracks. We get some neat guitar interplay during the jam section of "Fresh Garbage," a piece that recalls Santana though it was originally recorded by Spirit. And then there's sax, which can be heard all over this release, most notably in a lead role on the Zappa piece "Son Of Mr. Green Genes." The band took their name from a Zappa album, so it's fitting that a Zappa track appears here.
There is no quest this is a live recording, the sound alone tells you that. The GoD reissue is clean as the original masters were used, so this reissue of a rarity doesn't suffer from being taken from a secondary source. The two bonuses were, however, taken from well-preserved LP and de-noised using the Cedar NoNoise system;The original production was only slightly muddy at times… in other words, don't expect a "modern" live sound, it is very much a product of the 70s. What the album does demonstrate is that this band could play. My favourite aspects are the sax and guitar playing here, which do come across very clear. In the broad sense, more of interest to collectors, given the rarity of the original LP (only about 200 were pressed), but it's pretty good release besides.
As you can expect, GoD is very kind with these releases, including a bio and pictures - quite a few actually in this case - and a discography.
Rating: 3.5/5
More about Life:
Track Listing: "Evil Ways" (Santana) (3:25) / "See My Way" (Blodwyn Pig) (3:25) / "Sing Me A Song I Know" (Blodwyn Pig) (2:00) / "Leaping Beauties For Rudy" (East Of Eden) (4:35) / "Jamming Brother" (3:45) / "Son Of Mr. Green Genes" (Mothers Of Invention) (4:35) / "Fresh Garbage" (Spirit) (9:45) / "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" (Rolling Stones) (10:40) / "Ramadhan Part III" (East Of Eden) (0:10) / Bonus Tracks: "Jaming Brother" (3:20) / "Crazy Colours Of Life" (3:20)
Musicians:
Robert Musenbichler - guitar, backing vocals
Peter Musenbichler – guitar and lead vocals)
Max Weißenbä;ck – sax
Charly Dienes – drums
Mike Gärtner – bass
Ivan Miholić - percussion
1. Evil Ways
2. See My Way
3. Sing Me A Song That I Know
4. Leaping Beauties For Rudy
5. Jamming Brother
6. Son Of Mr Green Genes
7. Fresh Garbage
8. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
9. Ramadhan (Part III)
10. Jaming Brother (Bonus Track)
11. Crazy Colours Of Life (Bonus Track)
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