Kraftwerk live 2002

Not been whipping up lovely new tunes in the bath then?

I used to be a member of a Kraftwerk mailing list, which had a certain Zen like quality, in that there wasn't anything much to discuss. Much as I love them, I think we have to realise that for whatever reason, Ralf & Florian really don't give a toss anymore. [and why should they? If I'd made the money they have, then I would probably have moved on as well - just because you're significant doesn't mean you continually have to do things for others' delight].

The website :

http://www.kraftwerk.com/

is very clever though, and maintains the mystique.

throb

Yes, Kraftwerk's output rate is not amongst the highest is it?

Karl Bathos has been doing his own stuff, such as "15 minutes of Fame", which had an ace remix by Anthony Rother.

With the resurgance of german electro like Rother, and the Electrolux, Mikrolux, Kamlzeramt, PSI 49 and the compliations in the Spacenight series, you would think the time is right for the masters to re-establish themselves.

However, it appears that they are more interested in cycling and other things than releasing new music.

To fill in the vacuum, I have to make do with the bootlegs, like the Tribal Gathering show etc.

I struggled greatly to get a copy of The Mix on vinyl, but got on eventually, and it was well worth it, especially the segue into Abzug.

Now that Kylie has covered "I feel Love" and "Blue Monday", surely it has to be "Trans Europe Express" next?

DS

OTR - Dead Ringers

Good to hear........

from another Rother devotee. The first three solo albums are just wonderful (Flammende Herzen, Sterntaler & Katzenmusik)

The Neu remasters on CD are also excellent.

I liked the Karl Bartos well enough, but in a different way to Kraftwerk, whose glory for me is their honed minimalist aesthetic - incredibly simple tunes with even simpler accompaniments and 'events'[for want of a better word], in which less is definitely more. I don't know quite why these should sound so good, but they do - the superhuman restraint, perhaps, is the killer.

Fischerspooner have captured a little of that, I feel, in 'No 1' - most of the non-disco tracks regarded by most as mere filler, have something of the same aesthetic, though whether this is due to design or incomptence is debatable. Whatever, Casey Spooner has a great voice, and delivers the mostly clever lyrics to great effect. I think their second album should be a corker.


Getting back to Kraftwerk, Radioactivity is my all time favourite, and I feel that by Electric Cafe [their last proper album, yet released shortly after the birth of CD!], they were somehow diluting things [those string synths!]. Maybe digital synthesisers play a part as well.....

A couple of interesting tidbits garnered from their mailing list: The Mix was not a mix, exactly, but completely new recordings [didn't realise this] and, commissioned to produce an ident for Expo 2000, the lads just spoke the words 'Expo 2000' into a vocoder, accompanied by a Hi-Di-Hi style chime, and that was it [available in six languages]. This cost some preposterous amount, and was subject to mega complaints by German taxpayers. Yet, if you hear it, it really just does the job, no less & no more....

Kylie - did anyone not notice that her stylist [if not the lass herself] was a Kraftwerk fan - the dancers on TOTP for 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' had Man Machine red & black outfits !! No coincidence, I think....

throb

I am a Rother devotee ..

Both old school (Micheal Rother) ex-Neu & others

and new school (Anthony Rother) (who I meant above)

I wonder if they are related perhaps ?

DS

OTD - Graham Norton

The following is an interesting note on kraftwerk

http://www.steinberg.net/en/ps/community/artist_lounge/music_production/kraftwerk_report/index.php?sid=0

It basically states that Kraftwerk used software
synthesis for theit recent show ...

"30 years ago Kraftwerk took a room full of experimental synths and tone generators and turned out incredible, unique new sounds. Not just a studio band, they took their entire setup on the road - a huge and complex undertaking.

Now 30 years down the line Kraftwerk are redefining the live electronic experience once more. The time and place is the museum "cité de la Musique" in Paris, end of September 2002. The stage is almost empty, save for four small stands, each one equipped with a Sony laptop, MIDI controllers and audio/MIDI interfaces. So where's the music actually coming from? From Cubase SX, and a selection of VST plug-ins. It's a bit of a revolutionary evening here in Paris. Kraftwerk forego all the equipment they have used before and go "completely virtual"... "

James H.

In the absence of new material (except the Expo 2000 + remixes), i have taken to trying other souls versions, such as,

Trans Europaa Express- Anthony Rother
Trans Europe Express - Marc et Claude
Anything by Senor Coconut
TranceWerk Vols 1 & 2
Kraftwork Vols 1 & 2
Basskraaft
Trans Slovenia Express

The Basskraft one is particular hilarious, being Kraftwerk done Miami Bass style!

DS

ITC - Ambient Soho Vol 1

Hi there,

Kraftwerk is not very common subject on the forum, I am a big fan of electronic music since early 80s. You name it, Depeche Mode, Fad Gadget, Yazoo & of course Kraftwerk. I have following Kraftwerk's side projects, Electric Music (Barto), Yamo (Ralf), Barto with Electronic (Release the Pressure).

First Electric Musis album, is good, very Kraftwerk, but with more energy. TV is definitely the best track, I am still trying to find the CD single. With Andy (OMD)'s involvement on the album. Second album was extrememly disappointed, Barto went acoustic??
I paid a lot to get a Japanese Import. The cover of 'Baby come back' is very good. Still trying to find the triple CD 'Ruby Trax'.

Yamo is with slower pace and more melodies, For me I much prefer Yamo than Electric Music. I also like very much of Electronic's Release the pressure. I would recommend to anyone who hasn't got it. Of course if you like New Order, you have to get it. Not sure about Smiths fan though.

I was lucky enough to see them live back in 97 or 98 at Brixton Academy, can't remember when. There were only 02 original members, still very impressive, especially the track Music non stop.

Expo2000 was nothing special, but at least new material from the legendary, Kraftwerk. I think it's not likely that they will have anymore new album. Just keep on listen to the classic stuffs. Music non stop, Techno Pop!!!!

Cheers
Martin

Throbnorth,

Have you picked up that Fisherspooner have delayed the release of "Th 15th" until Feb - Mar, so MoS can promote #1 a bit more ?

I am looking forward to the vinyl mixes and the DVD.

Completing the circle, Fischerspooner have remixed Kylie's 'Come into my World' (Their only remix to date!) Emerge namechecks Blue Monday and I Feel Love,and Kylie has done them both.

DS

OTT - Graham Norton

David, yes - I can see why they need to get their US distribution sorted out, but re-releasing your debut album twice within twelve months adding extra goodies each time, then cancelling your tour is pushing it a bit... A new track rather than 'The 15th' would have been nice, too - but as they apparently find the music is the least interesting facet of their total package, maybe it's not that surprising!

throb