Bachdenkel - Rise and Fall: The Anthology 3 x CDs
SKU
23-CRSEG 115T
“First-ever complete anthology of melodic UK progressive rock band Bachdenkel who issued two superb albums in the 70s. Includes numerous previously-unreleased studio out-takes and live cuts plus late 60s psych-pop demos under previous name U-No-Who.
Dubbed “Britain’s greatest unknown group” in late 1970 by the former editor of the International Times’ music section, Bachdenkel would remain a cult act, their brace of albums belatedly attracting the attention of collectors and the admiration of fellow musicians like the band Mercury Rev.
Having come together in Birmingham in 1968, Bachdenkel were initially part of the burgeoning local underground scene, but would spend most of their career in France.
In June 1970 they booked time at a studio in Paris to record debut album ‘Lemmings’. Sessions took on prodigious proportions, but with an acceptable UK/US major label deal failing to materialise, the record was only issued in France some three years later.
The late 1975 recording of second album ‘Stalingrad’ was a less complicated experience, but it again proved difficult to place. Eventually the set was self-issued in 1977, when its appearance unfortunately coincided with the punk explosion.
This three-CD set, ‘Rise And Fall’ is the first complete anthology of this ill-fated but hugely talented band.
It features both of their albums and adds contemporaneous out-takes, alternative versions, demos and live cuts as well as some 1967-68 demo recordings by pre-Bachdenkel outfit U- No-Who, who briefly attracted the interest of the newly-formed Apple organisation.”
Surprisingly good, very obscure UK proto-progressive band, who recorded their classic ‘Lemmings’ album in 1970, but didn't see it released until 3 years later. There's a lot of stuff being reissued/issued these days and some of it is great and some of it is interesting. This is closer to great than you might expect! Conditionally highly recommended
"Bachdenkel was an English rock band that started under the name “You Know Who" in 1968. The three piece consisted of bandleader Colin Swinburne on vocals/guitars/keyboards, Peter kimberley on bass/piano/vocals and Brian Smith on drums, with Karel Beer as additional musician, lightening engineer and producer.
The band moved to France to live, perform and record. In the 10 years of excistence Bachdenkel only recorded 2 albums, the first album “Lemmings” was recorded in 1970, but wasn’t released until 1973, the second album called “Stalingrad” (in cyrillic letters) was recorded and released in 1977. in the mean time Bachdenkel toured small venues through europe (mostly France).
Bachdenkel started as a Flower Power psychedelic rock band (Pink Floyd, Soft Machine, Beatles, Procol Harum), but developed towards a more symphonic/melodic progstyle for their second album. Their sound is dominated by guitar and drums, with great vocals and occasional keyboard passages. The band wasn’t (and isn’t) well known, but that doesn’t lesson the experience and thrill you get when listening to their music.
The 90’s revival of prog resulted in some aknowledgement to their music, and Bachdenkel re-released their two albums on CD, with additional, mostly unreleased, material. Those CD’s are very much recommended, also because the additional songs are practically as good as their previously released ‘forgotten’ masterpieces. A fabulous band that deserves universal recognition."-progarchives.com
- LabelGrapefruit
- UPC5013929191525