Nothing about the writing process - I wouldn''t have known how to ask intelligent questions like that. It was more like, 'wow, you used to record in a castle, what was that like?' and 'When did you last see Damo Suzuki?' We met at Phonogram Records in Hammersmith, where a mate of mine worked. Karoli was in London with Holger for some business meetings, he said. I do remember him talking fondly, almost proudly, of Jaki Liebezeit. This was 1989 or so, quite a few years before Jaki acquired the respect and reputation that he later got. Karoli seemed amused that I knew their individual names, put it that way. He made Jaki sound like a really serious, heavy, almost fanatical musician.
In a Can phase right now. All of those early records are incredible. How essential is Unlimited Edition? That, Rite Time and The Lost Tapes are the only ones I think I don't have. When I saw Weyes Blood live this year they covered "Vitamin C" from Ege Bamyasi:
Ege Bamyasi is my fave and that one track on Movie Soundtracks...it's about 14 minutes long... very cool tune.
This album is well worth seeking out, with Jaki Leibezeit on drums... (not to be confused with the current Phantom Band from Scotland, I mean, how dare they...)
Absolutely indispensable I say!! In fact, it's usually where I recommend people start since it has prime material from the Malcolm, Damo and post-Damo but pre-"TraffiCan" eras. There's not a chance you're not going to like it, really. Get it NOW. As for Rite Time, eh, it's a curiosity.
Appreciate the recommendation of Unlimited Edition, which I will order. Also, thanks for the tips re: solo Schmidt. Will seek those out.
Regarding Rite Time, I think the Until the End of the World soundtrack has the best outtake: Last Night Sleep. A really interesting soundtrack, anyway. Unlimited Edition and The Lost Tapes have some extra Damo and Malcolm, and some really nice gems, so check them out, really. Cannibalism 2 has some extra songs, too. There's also an alternate version of Thief that's only available on the Electric Rock LP sampler, AFAIK. The mix is a bit different, and there's an extra verse (that I don't manage to transcribe, if anyone's interested...).
Great thread. I have been going through a Miles Davis 2nd quintet phase but now I'm moving on to Can. Picked up TM today, FD will be next. Gracias.
^ Oops, the middle image above is actually a single from Holger's album "On the Way to the Peak of Normal" using the same cover art. Sorry.
Now playing. This is an extraordinary piece of improv from a great show, revealing the band at the peak of their powers. They were an (un)canny collective dynamo when they locked into that groove.
Definitely Future Days, although Tago Mago isn’t too far behind. I do enjoy Soon Over Babaluma quite a bit as well.
If they combined Tago Mago and Ege Bamyasi into a triple, then choosing one album would be much easier.
Pleasantly surprised to see Future Days right up there. It has always been my favourite Can record, but often seems to be lost behind Tago Mago's freestyle avant-garde and the bonkers art rock of Ege Bamyasi. "Bel-Air" and "Moonshake" are probably my top two Can cuts.
It is but it's going to lag in 'favourites' I think. I love Soul Desert, She Brings The Rain, Don't Turn on the Light and Mother Sky, but the rest feels a bit inessential. If it was a mark each album out of ten poll it would be much higher.
I think the word is 'homage', as in 'Can homage'. They never hid it. Brilliant track. And love the coughing. One the best British bands from that era.
