★SPV Recordings
Carnival In Babylon
Originally released in 1972, 'Carnival in Babylon' has always lived in the shade of the sprawling Yeti and Dance of the Lemmings collections, but in many ways it is a more consistent and coherent document of the Amon Duul at their peak.
Tanz Der Lemminge
There aren't many double art-rock albums from the early '70s that have stood the test of time, but then again, there aren't many albums like Tanz, and there certainly aren't many groups like Amon Düül II. While exact agreement over which of their classic albums is the absolute standout may never be reached, in terms of ambition combined with good musicianship and good humor, the group's third album, is probably the best candidate still. The musical emphasis is more on expansive arrangements and …
Lemmingmania
Originally released in 1974, 'Lemmingmania' is a compilation made up of, mostly rare AD II singles. Vocalist Renate Knaup's vocals are astounding, especially when guitarist Chris Karrer jumps in and shares the vocal duties with her. Brings to mind [sort of] like Germany's reply to Jefferson Airplane
Wolf City
Distilling the insane sprawl of the "Yeti" and "Tanz" into a more concise, song-based affair, Amon Duul refine their sound without watering it down and turn out one of their best albums (they began this process on the previous quite good in its own right transitional album "Carnival In Babylon". The new formula is clear from the opening bars of "Surrounded By The Stars". Chugging guitars build to ecstatic organ swells. The first side continues in solid form with the appropriately bubbly "Green B…
In den Garten Pharaos
CD version. In Den Gärten Pharaos" was originally issued in 1971, this time by Pilz, yet it wasn't precisely on the folk vein that Herr Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser was trying to keep the label into by those days. It's sound drinks directly from the same waters that brought Affenstunde, although there is a clear move towards some less dark passages, and the use of church organ as the main instrument, plus a first introduction into the ethnic music elements that Popol Vuh would soon mix into their cauldron…
Letzte Tage, Letzte Nachte
Letzte Tage, Letzte Nächte is probably the most "rock" sounding work of Popol Vuh's production. Recorded by the classic trio of Fricke, Fichelscher and Yun, plus Ted de Jong on tamboura and Amon Düül members Al Gromer on sitar and Renate Knaup on additional vocals, its sounds seem to be more based on power than on ambient. Strong guitar passages emphasize this, with Fischelscher's playing being harder than the Conny Veit ethereal parts on earlier records. The title track is also the firs…
Einsjaeger & Siebenjaeger
2015 restock. Einsjäger & Siebenjäger, originally released on Kosmische Musik in 1974. Settling down the partnership of Florian Fricke with Daniel Fischelscher that was started in the previous outing and, again, featuring Korean soprano Djong Yun on vocals, the fifth Popol Vuh LP also counted on sporadic contributions by Olaf Kübler on flute to follow the path set on Hosianna Mantra and Seligpreisung. Reissued from the master tapes in quality vinyl pressing, full glory laminated gatefold cover a…
Seligpreisung
2015 restock. The fourth LP by Popol Vuh was originally released on Kosmische Musik in 1973. It follows the religious theme of its predecessor and features the line up of Florian Fricke with Conny Veit on guitars, Daniel Fischelscher on guitars and drums (he was the drummer of Düül II), Robert Eliscu on oboe, Djong Yun on vocals and Klaus Wiesse on tamboura. Reissued from the master tapes in quality vinyl pressing, full glory laminated gatefold cover and featuring an insert with liners and photo…
The Werner Herzog Soundtracks
Restocked: The divine music of Popol Vuh is inextricable from the Werner Herzog films it soundtracks. This lavish set includes five seminal film scores: Heart of Glass (1976), Aguirre (1972), Nosferatu (1979), Fitzcarraldo (1982) and Cobra Verde (1987) in one lavish, beautiful box including a 98-page hardback book with rare photos and liner notes.Scoring Herzog's 'Aguirre', Popol Vuh, lead by Florian Fricke, established a longstanding relationship with the director, providing him with a mileston…
Hosianna Mantra
Hosianna Mantra has finally been remastered with sparkeling and sharp sound quality. The bonus track Maria (Ave Maria) was recorded at the same time as Hosianna Mantra (1973) and is considered to be Popol Vuh’s poetic album. A beautiful album and a beautiful bonus track.
Affenstunde
Every once in a while I like to post something that doesn't fit the theme of this page and give ya'all a glimpse at some of my all time favorites. The spread the gambit. From punk to... early Krautrock. Popol Vuh was the creation of Florian Fricke. Intially a themed project - Popol Vuh means "Council Book" or "Book of the Community" and is a book containing mythological narratives and a genealogy of the rulers of the Post-Classic Quiché Maya kingdom of highland Guatemala. Musician extraordinare …