Broselmachine - Broselmachine (German Psych Folk 1971)

Brφselmaschine - Brφselmaschine

One of the three legendary Pilz folk albums from the early 1970s German scene.

Of the three, Brφselmaschine were certainly the most "folky".

The five-piece lineup included primarily male and female vocals with acoustic guitar. As accents to various songs, the band added electric guitar, bass, hand percussion, flute, sitar, zither and mellotron.

Inspired by the American folk music of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs and Joni Mitchell, German master of acoustic guitar Peter Bursch formed the first line-up of BROSELMASCHINE back in 1968 alongwith flautist/vocalist Jenni Schucker a female singer with an irresistible whispy voice Willi Kissmer on vocals, guitars and zither, Lutz Ringer on metallaphon and bass, and Mike Hellbach on congas, tabla and mellotron. Although many tracks bear German names, almost all are sung in English.

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The quintet disbanded after a first album in 1971 and Bursch, keeping only guitarist Kissmer from the original line-up, pursued his musical endeavours under the name of PETER BURSCH UND DIE BROSELMASCHINE, joined by percussionist Mani Neumeier (GURU GURU), drummer Jan Fride (KRAAN) and three other musicians. Their eponymous LP is definitely their best: a wonderful acoustic album full of finesse of subtle Indian, Middle-Eastern flavour (sitar, tabla, flute) as well as Irish/Scottish traditional folk (mandolin, multi-voice harmonies). Their second album, released under the moniker PETER BURSCH UND DIE BROSELMASCHINE, unfortunately doesnt even come close to the first. In spite of its decidedly folk flavour and many guest appearances, it is altogether different and less inspired, putting the emphasis on Burschs acoustic guitar techniques (although Kissmers electric guitar steals the show at times). For fans of EMTIDI, early HOELDEERLIN or other such cosmic folk bands, the first BROSELMASCHINE album is a breath of fresh air. : : : Lise (HIBOU), CANADA : : :


Musicians: Lutz Ringer - Bass, Mellotron Peter Bursch - Guitar, Vocals, Sitar, Flute Jenni Schucker - Flute, Vocals Willi Kissmer - Vocals, Guitar Mike Hellbach - Congas, Tablas, Mellotron



http://www.broeselmaschine.de/presse.htm


The five minute opener "Gedanken" is a pleasant enough folk track with heavily accented English vocals and some nice electric guitar. "Lassie" follows and is just the sort of song that my Dad would enjoy. One gets the vision that Brφselmaschine would feel comfortable opening for comedian Bob Newhart at a place like the "hungry i" in San Francisco circa 1966. Plates and silverware clanking in the background and after the song completes, an uproarious crowd claps maniacally while cigarettes dangle from their lips. After the two minute acoustic guitar interlude "Gitarrenstuck", things begin to get interesting. "The Old Man's Song" starts with a repetitive and trance-like acoustic guitar. Hand percussion and wah guitar enter and some delicate flute sets the tone for the peaceful femme singing. The nine minute "Schmetterling" is one of the album's highlights and recalls Hoelderlin's Traum with its Eastern motif (sitar, tablas, flute) and German narration.

http://www.oocities.org/krautrockgroup/Broselmaschine.html

Later in the song there's a wonderful driving bass guitar that gives the song a sense of contrasting urgency not found elsewhere. The album closes with "Bossa Nova" (8:06) a nice "stroll in the park" kind of song with emphasis on acoustic guitar, flute, wordless voice and hand percussion.

Overall, Brφselmaschine is the type of album to sooth ones nerves after a hard days work. Not particularly experimental or groundbreaking, but for fans of early Hoelderlin, Emtidi or other such cosmic folk bands, Brφselmaschine is a must pick up.

Tom Hayes 26-August-2001 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Solid German folk rock. The album is dominated by acoustic guitars, but flute, percussion, bass and some traditional instruments like zither are featured as well. The male and female vocals are beautiful and (mostly) in German. Very nice album, but not a classic.

Sjef Oellers 23-April-2001 -------------------------------------------

 

Albums

Broselmaschine 1971Peter Bursch & Die Broselmaschine 1976I Feel Fine 1978

Broselmaschine (Pilz 1971)Album Legnth: 35.44Recorded:August 1971 Dierks Studio - Stommeln, GermanyGenre: FolkBest Song: 'Schmetterling'Release Info: 1994 CD Reissue SPALAX 14882

Tracks: 1. Gedanken 5.062. Lassie 5.063. Gittarrenstuck 2.034. The Old Man's Song 5.265. Schmetterling 9.316. Nossa Bova 8.06 Overview:Quite possibly the pinnacle of Krautfolk, Broselmaschine is certainly tops in the folk subgenre and is recommended to those interested in the lighter side of Krautrock. Broselmaschine combines the highly talented acoustic guitar playing of Peter Bursch (a master of the instrument who has published many instructional books on the subject), romantic vocals, and a mild Eastern influence highlighted by the use of sitar and flute.

The album begins with 'Gedanken', a peaceful track with a slight renaissance-era feel, the track features acoustic and electric guitar, flute and romantic lyrics. Next the group performs the Scottish traditional 'Lassie' with multi-tracked vocal harmonies. Next, 'Guitarrenstuck', is a beautiful piece played with folk guitar and a soothing female vocal. 'The Old Man's Song' seems slightly out of place due to its use of wah-wah peddle, but this gives way to some rather ominous sounding Duul-ish acoustic guitar and folk percussion. 'Schmetterling' introduces an Eastern flavor to the album and is most notable for its sitar which reminds me a little bit of mid-period Popol Vuh. Bursch's guitar playing on this track is simply masterful and the track is given and extra boost from some atmospheric mellotron. 'Bossa Nova' stands out as a folk masterpiece with its incredible guitar work, folk percussion, and female vocals. This track has a peaceful quality similar to Paradieswarts Duul, the only difference being the musical ability of Broselmaschines members. The album was produced by Rolf Ulrich Kaiser and engineered by Dieter Dierks and was first issued on Pilz in 1971.

Album Rating: 5 out of 5 [Doug]
Musicians:Lutz Ringer - Bass, MellotronPeter Bursch - Guitar, Vocals, Sitar, FluteJenni Schucker - Flute, VocalsWilli Kissmer - Vocals, GuitarMike Hellbach - Congas, Tablas, Mellotron

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