I bought this in a record shop in Munich in February 1983, when it came out. The original double LP on Schulze's own Innovative Communication label. (In the UK you more commonly saw an abridged single LP version.) It may be just because this was the point at which I discovered Schulze's music, but I think this is his most creative period. The combination of the cello, his synth washes and sequencer material, and his background as a drummer (though drums are played by Michael Shrieve) make for a complexity and breadth that outdoes anything by Tangerine Dream, the obvious comparison point.
Cellistica has always been my favourite track on the album. I used to turn the lights down and just immerse myself in its 20 minutes or so. Its only drawback is that the programmed drums are metronomic, and not in a good (krautrock) way — a similar 1983-vintage problem to the Cocteau Twins. I know I must have played this to you, and I'm sure you were unimpressed.
I also saw Klaus Schulze twice in 1983. The first time was an extraordinary experience in Munich. I saw the gig advertised in the centre of the city and booked my ticket, but the venue was away in the outskirts. I went there in the daylight some days in advance, just to check that I would be able to find it on the night! It was a 15-20 minute walk from the nearest S-Bahn station, and mostly through an industrial estate. I'd be pretty scared walking back through that late at night now, and I probably was scared when I was 17, too, but what was the alternative? I couldn't miss seeing Klaus, could I? He was playing with Rainer Bloss, both sitting cross-legged on the stage surrounded by keyboards and probably the first computer monitor I ever saw on a stage (and not a skimpy little MacBook, either). The most memorable thing from this distance was the audience reaction. I think it may be the only genuine encore I've ever seen. Klaus and Rainer did one encore, and then left. The lights went up, I went to the merchandise stall to get my poster, and was about to leave, when I realised that the audience cheering wasn't dying down. If anything, it was getting more determined. It was a true battle of wills: "we are not leaving here until you play some more." I went back into the hall and joined in. Klaus came out and explained that they had nothing else rehearsed, but they'd have a bash. I think they played Ludwig II von Bayern from X, because it had lots of strings on it, which must have been sampled, but God knows how, because their computers weren't that powerful then.
A few months later they played the unlikely venue of Lewisham Town Hall. That wasn't nearly so memorable.
 MusicBrainz entry for disc 1disc 2 |
Comments