Tangerine Dream Bootlegs: No Longer Solely the Province of Stoner Geeks

(mp3s below the fold)

One of the great things about WFMU is that despite its inherent hipsterism, the majority of the staff have an ear for quality that supersedes notions of what's "cool" or "underground"—good music is good music, and most of us know it when we hear it (though subtleties of opinion will naturally vary from person to person.)  This is not to say that Tangerine Dream gets played on the air very often; not at least since Richard Ginsburg's Synthetic Pleasure program had its last broadcast.

The passage of time is a great quantifier in the arts, and music that may have seemed to be the exclusive province of geeky stoners in its original historical context (Jethro Tull, let's say), now rings true and timeless, and may be imbued with an unexpected vitality that makes it sound even better, or more relevant, than when first heard (or ignored.)

I find this to be especially true in the case of Tangerine Dream, whose work, at least from the time of their formation in 1967 through the latter 70s, may have a lot to offer the jaded, post-modern music fan, especially those who feel (as I do) that electronic music is currently in a terrible rut, chasing its tail through PowerBook blip city.  When in doubt, return to the roots.

To consider Tangerine Dream, one must first view their early albums, those preceding 1974's Phaedra.  That album was a turning point in the band's sound, whereupon analog sequencers became the dominant compositional hardware in the band, and ultimately this was the sound that would define Tangerine Dream, through their globally successful albums, tours and film soundtracks.  An enthusiastic, fans-ear-view account of the first 4 albums (Electronic Meditation, Alpha Centauri, Zeit and Atem) can be found in Julian Cope's Krautrocksampler, which I'm also indebted to for sparking my rediscovery of TD upon its publication in 1995, when I was already more than 10 years into my fascination with so-called Krautrock.

The first 4 Tangerine Dream albums (especially the latter 3) are masterpieces of amorphous rock improvisation, with only occasional jolts of hypnotic rhythm, dominated by mellotron, simple electric guitar and analog synths.  Yes, many rock bands were improvising in the post-psychedelic era, but not like this.  The music on these albums fills the room like no other, the power of these pieces being their elusive, vaporous quality—there's next to nothing to grab onto, the "patterns" slip away as quickly as they emerge—nonetheless you're engulfed. You may also find, as I have, that different aspects of the music will emerge with each subsequent listen.

The more I listened to these albums, the more interested I became in Tangerine Dream's later work, where the pulsating sequencers that made the band famous still float on a sea of ambient gloom from their first era.  No doubt a lot of pot was cleaned in the gatefold sleeves of Phaedra, Rubycon and Stratosfear, enough to fill an auditorium, but you needn't be stoned to appreciate the journey these albums take you on.  (Sadly, too few full-length records nowadays actually take you on a journey anywhere, being merely collections of songs.)  A personal favorite from this period is the live album Ricochet (1975), basically one long piece comprised of several movements, and guaranteed to be the surprise hit of your next jam-band raver party.

The Cyclone album, from 1978, is in my opinion the last great TD album, though Force Majeure (1979), the Thief soundtrack (1981) and Green Desert (1986, rec. 1973) all have some wonderful segments.  Edgar Froese's first 3 solo LPs, Aqua (1974), Epsilon in Malaysian Pale (1975) and Macula Transfer (1976) are all monumental works, as enveloping as anything mentioned above.  Peter Baumann's solo work is also worth a listen, especially the Baumann/Koek album from 1978 and Trans Harmonic Nights (1979).

Tangerine Dream has been extensively bootlegged; it's maddening, as there are literally hundreds of live gig recordings, as well as a few collections of unreleased studio material.  As with the proper albums, I've focused my collecting on the prime years, roughly 1968-1978.  I've assembled a few of my favorites below for your enjoyment (as downloadable mp3s.)

Ultima Thule - This was TD's first single, released by Ohr in 1972, and never officially reissued, though a nicely done "grey area" edition appeared in the late 90s.  [Ultima Thule Teil I mp3] [Ultima Thule Teil II mp3]

Grugahalle, Essen - Song-Tage Festival 1968 - This very experimental set likely includes some early recruits whose names have been lost.  Edgar Froese and Conrad Schnitzler (whose cello can be heard) are definitely present; Klaus Schulze may also have been there, though his presence (as the band's drummer) is not evident.  The trio of Froese, Schnitzler and Schulze would go on to record the Electronic Meditation LP, then promptly disband.  [Song-Tage I mp3] [Song-Tage II mp3]

Frankfurt Universitat 6.19.1971 - Features the lineup of Froese, Chris Franke and Steve Shroyder, also responsible for the Alpha Centauri album.  Shroyder would not stay long, and ultimately Peter Baumann would round out the trio.  [Frankfurt II mp3] [Frankfurt III mp3]

Cologne 11.25.1972 - WDR-FM recording.  [Cologne Part 1 mp3]

Reims Cathedral, France 12.13.1974 - The first of their cathedral concerts; playing in churches and cathedrals (with their enhanced acoustics and gothic ambience) would become a regular practice for the band.  [Reims Cathedral II mp3]

Festival Hall, Adelaide, Australia 3.25.1975 - Perhaps my favorite TD live recording, as sections of it wonderfully bridge the styles of the early and later periods.  [Adelaide Part 1 mp3]

Comments

[dariusfly]

William- Yeah, I gotta get Early Water. Been meaning to for a while. Gottsching is a cosmic master!

Is Meditation on SKY? Never heard it, but I think I recall hearing that Schoener was a K. Schulze devotee or something.

[WmMBerger]

The Schoener Meditation CD is a double-disc with Sky Music-Mountain Music on Celestial Harmonies. Both albums originally released on Kuckuck. More info: http://www.blacksun.com/releases/12059.htm

[Mike Aspras]

Hi everyone!

As some of you, I've been looking around for info about Richard Ginsberg host of Synthetic Pleasure, the electronic music radio show that used to be broadcast on WFMU every Monday night in the mid 80s. I used to look forward to it.

So now I see my mistake. It's now Ricky. Regardless, it's a pleasure, non-synthetic of coarse, to finally hear from you! Being from Orange New Jersey and now Florida, you must really like oranges!

I must thank you for the introduction of electronic music in my life. It never wears out. I've taped some of your shows and I still listen. To the person above who wondered whether Yanni was ever at a broadcasting of Synthetic Pleasure, I listened, I taped.

Too bad, though. Because of the taping habits I regret I rarely ordered your Synthetic Pleasure Contact List more than twice. And now I scrounge around for the names of those less popular artists of songs on either LP or CD. It was not meant to get around from purchasing these items; electronic music wasn't an easy category to find in record stores. Nevetheless, I still haven't given up. I'm here, aren't I?

Ricky: We've once met at the Upsala College studio, the place with the old transmitter. Laurie Paisley was there, too. I believe my visiting opportunity was due to a marathon winning for a new transmitter. The school must've gotten it just in time. . .when your show went off the air!

I've seldom seen it mentioned here, but one of your favorites was also Michael Garrison. I'm deeply sad to say that Michael had passed away in 2004. A big loss.

As a tribute, a fan (Craig Padilla) had purchased Michael's keyboard and equipment, the instruments which created: In The Regions of Sunreturn, Prisms, Eclipse, and more. A number of other artists have also joined efforts thus came the creation of the final album, "To The Sky and Beyond The Stars - A Tribute to Michael Garrison".

In the tribute album, it's very interesting how the musicians managed to convey their art in Michael's style. For instance, in track 11 of CD #1 named: "Adagio for Michael" by Something Completely Different, one of Michael's pieces is played and then at the end, a super nova explosion and the music takes one into the heavens with Michael.

It's a great double CD album, all of it. A must hear - must own CD. I'm sure Michael would've loved it.

http://www.craigpadilla.com/michael_garrison.htm

http://www.hypnos.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=HOS&Product_Code=misc29

Anyway, glad to hear from you, Richard, I mean Ricky. It's also amazing how you still have people who remember you. I guess we're all still looking forward to next Monday night between the hours of 6 and 9 PM.

Best,
Mike Aspras

[Mike Aspras]

"a broadcasting of Synthetic Pleasure, I listened, I taped."

And no, not to copy works. To listen at a later time like we do with VHS.

Mike

[Mike Aspras]

Uh, oh. Just checked. The hymes came back to mind after writing about it so I hadda look around. I was wrong in thinking that I still had anything. Sorry for the error. My taped memories are gone! Lost those inferior "cazzettes" (as Richard used to say). Because I kept it limited without special care, they now don't exist anymore. Not that there was much of anything to begin with. I once hadda dump one due to sun ray damages in the car. I guess time really took its toll. I recall it was all static to begin with (bad reception), anyway. It didn't matter, it was not to miss announcements.

Not a total loss, though. I still have my vinyl collection of the same songs, though (yes, vinyl is still better quality than CD) and some were released and yet re-bought on CD.

As great a show as Synthetic Pleasure (SP) was, it may no longer be on the air, but luckily in the past years I'd sample a lot of old records sold at flea markets very cheap. SP was just one introductory form of sampling tool.

Nevertheless, Synthetic Pleasure was real and it will always be at least in my memory, as if by wizardry!

Thanks.

MikeA

[Paola]

each knows us it is important must have comfortable provided мксто for rest and insofar necessary
suitable furniture, which allows easy to reach deleting physical voltage. Here possible hear all
about comfort in daydream: bedding

[James Russell]

As a somewhat belated follow-up, I now have a box set called Nebulous Dawn via Sanctuary, which contains the first four albums plus Edgar Froese's pre-TD single with The Ones and both sides of "Ultima Thule". The booklet notes that this is probably the first time side two has been legitimately reissued, though they don't seem to know for sure themselves.

[Andy Mattingly]

Any information on a track by Tangerine dream called "Roger"? Been trying to get this info off and on for 30 years! Did I hear wrong or what?...

Andy --
Sorry, not familiar with that track. Is it pre-'83? Perhaps one of the other "experts" will check in with more info.

[bartelby]

During the marathon I won a copy of OHM: Early Guru's of Electronic. It was just recently delivered. This box set rekindled my interest in TD. I had the latter 3 of the first 4 albums and was prompted into my virgin iTunes venture for the first. I like all 4 but feel a little aprehensive about moving foward in their history. I'm hoping these mp3 links still work and can round out a 5 disc CD changer session after my recent Hellish 6 weeks. Thanks in advance Willam Berger and thanks WFMU.

[Unusual Music]

The 1968 lineup of Tangerine Dream (the first MP3s you posted) was likely: Edgar Froese (guitar), Kurt Herkenberg (bass), Volker Hombach (violin, saxophone), Lanse Hapshash (drums) and Charly Prince (vocals). If there is any flute work that would be Steve Jolliffe, who later rejoined TD in 1978 for the "Cyclone" album. Froese didn't meet Klaus Schulze until 1969. He certainly knew Conrad Schnitzler earlier than that but every account I've read has Schnitzler joining TD in '69 as well, replacing Jolliffe.

[michael marino]

So glad to have found so many people interested in Richard's great show. Monday was my favorite day of the week back then and six to nine pm couldn't come fast enough. I was in my toll booth at exit 16w at the nj turnpike cranking my radio and blasting off to sound of synthetic plesure. To this day when fellow fmu dj's play electronic music i get a good old fashion rush. Thank you Richard Thank you synthetic pleasure and Thank you WFMU i love you man...

Sincerely,

Michael Marino

[murcuryvapor]

http://www.podomatic.com/people/index/oxideradio

Some Richard and Vanilla Bean tapes...updated as I discover them in my massive storage pile o crap.

[andy K]

Tangerine Dream are to play the Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles on Friday, November 7th 2008 at 8.00PM: Price: $48, $36, $24($15 UCLA students)