PINGUIN
''DER GROSSE ROTE VOGEL''
1972
2007
41:25
1. Der grosse rote Vogel (8:44)
2. Die Angst (6:10)
3. Der Frosch in der Kehle (7:19)
4. Der blaue Wind (7:47)
5. Die Nachtmusik (5:18)
6. Der Traum (6:07)
Drums – K. D. Blahak
Electric Bass, Double Bass [Bowed], Bongos, Choir – Tom Wohlert
Guitar [Satz-gitarre], Percussion – Joe Voggenthaler
Lead Guitar, Percussion, Choir – Markus Schaub
Lead Vocals – Klaus Gebauer
Producer, Organ, Percussion, Music & Lyrics – Volker Plitz
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Percussion, Choir – Elmar Kast
REVIEW
By Levgan
In our times, when labels like Second Battle and Garden Of Delights are constantly reissuing obscure 1970s German prog classics, it became pretty hard to find the true gem that hasn't yet been put to digital treatment. However, Pinguin's sole album for some odd reason avoided the reissue (even non-legit), and it seems unfair, since many far less talented bands (like Grave or Arktis to name but a few) has been already re-released on CD in beautiful packages with archival bonus-tracks etc.
The band began in early 1970s as Talix and released one album under this logo, entitled Spuren (it's also LP-only and I'm yet to hear it; the rumour says it's a fine guitar-driven effort). With switching from Vogue to the just founded label Zebra (actually a "progressive" sub-label of Polydor), the band changed their name to Pinguin to record the album Der Grosse Rote Vogel in 1972.
It was the first LP released by Zebra and I wish every label had such a promising start! Pinguin's sound is strongly keyboard-dominated (organist Volker Plitz composed all the tracks), but there are enough furious guitar leads to satisfy the psych-lover. The music is basically pretty far from typical German kraut-rock, instead it reminds me of more "international-sounding" German bands like Frumpy, Subject Esq. and maybe even Faithful Breath. Vocals are pretty strong and though I've been told by my German friend that Pinguin's lyrics were mostly crap, I don't care for it since I don't know German. Mellow lyrical organ-driven parts alternate with heavy guitar outbursts and beautiful flute passages. "Der Blaue Wind" is a pleasant melodic ballad, while "Die Angst" is filled with irresistible rocking energy. Overall, this is a wonderful LP with all the right moves and most of the prog-fans won't be disappointed by it.
I should also add that Der Grosse Rote Vogel fits the label like Garden Of Delights perfectly and unless there are some copyright problems (like in case of Tortilla Flat), I fail to understand why this gem remains unearthed and thus unknown to many prog-lovers.
''DER GROSSE ROTE VOGEL''
1972
2007
41:25
1. Der grosse rote Vogel (8:44)
2. Die Angst (6:10)
3. Der Frosch in der Kehle (7:19)
4. Der blaue Wind (7:47)
5. Die Nachtmusik (5:18)
6. Der Traum (6:07)
Drums – K. D. Blahak
Electric Bass, Double Bass [Bowed], Bongos, Choir – Tom Wohlert
Guitar [Satz-gitarre], Percussion – Joe Voggenthaler
Lead Guitar, Percussion, Choir – Markus Schaub
Lead Vocals – Klaus Gebauer
Producer, Organ, Percussion, Music & Lyrics – Volker Plitz
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Percussion, Choir – Elmar Kast
REVIEW
By Levgan
In our times, when labels like Second Battle and Garden Of Delights are constantly reissuing obscure 1970s German prog classics, it became pretty hard to find the true gem that hasn't yet been put to digital treatment. However, Pinguin's sole album for some odd reason avoided the reissue (even non-legit), and it seems unfair, since many far less talented bands (like Grave or Arktis to name but a few) has been already re-released on CD in beautiful packages with archival bonus-tracks etc.
The band began in early 1970s as Talix and released one album under this logo, entitled Spuren (it's also LP-only and I'm yet to hear it; the rumour says it's a fine guitar-driven effort). With switching from Vogue to the just founded label Zebra (actually a "progressive" sub-label of Polydor), the band changed their name to Pinguin to record the album Der Grosse Rote Vogel in 1972.
It was the first LP released by Zebra and I wish every label had such a promising start! Pinguin's sound is strongly keyboard-dominated (organist Volker Plitz composed all the tracks), but there are enough furious guitar leads to satisfy the psych-lover. The music is basically pretty far from typical German kraut-rock, instead it reminds me of more "international-sounding" German bands like Frumpy, Subject Esq. and maybe even Faithful Breath. Vocals are pretty strong and though I've been told by my German friend that Pinguin's lyrics were mostly crap, I don't care for it since I don't know German. Mellow lyrical organ-driven parts alternate with heavy guitar outbursts and beautiful flute passages. "Der Blaue Wind" is a pleasant melodic ballad, while "Die Angst" is filled with irresistible rocking energy. Overall, this is a wonderful LP with all the right moves and most of the prog-fans won't be disappointed by it.
I should also add that Der Grosse Rote Vogel fits the label like Garden Of Delights perfectly and unless there are some copyright problems (like in case of Tortilla Flat), I fail to understand why this gem remains unearthed and thus unknown to many prog-lovers.
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