Gurnemanz “ No Rays of Noise” 1976 Private Germany Prog Folk Folk Rock
https://vk.com/wall312142499_3947
https://vk.com/wall312142499_3946
- Lukas W.Scheel / guitar, vocals, mandolins, banjo
- Manuela Schmitz / vocals, tin-whisles, percussion, recorder, kazoo
- Siegfried Bushuven / bass, kazoo
- Wolfgang Riedel / guitar, backing vocals, percussion, harmonica, bouzouki, flute, kazoo
This late 70's german semi-acoustic ensemble is a curiosity maybe too rapidly eclipsed by great bands of the progish folk scene. The music is not as ambitious / adventurous as pagan-medieval acid folk combos from Germany (Ougenweide, Parzival...) nevertheless it is constantly relaxing, intimate and pleasantly sunshiney. No Rays of Noise combines subtle-profundly emotional female voices (sometimes helped by some others vocalists) to pastoral blues-folk guitar sequences. The atmosphere tends to be pop-ish with hippie-like accents but it's efficiently poetical and beautifully dreamy. The bonus tracks include nice live performances, not wonderful or transcendant but warmly vibrant with an inspired charming flavour. Generally the live parts feature a rockier instrumentation. Some tracks provide a dancing-forest like atmosphere for primal flutes (Mattelotte/Kupferschmied...). Some others develop a discreet tripped out kraut-folk ambience (Tra Na Rossan...). Difficult to choose one or a few best songs because the level is rather equal all along the album...it contains no real surprise but the natural-ceremonial folkish atmosphere keeps the listener's attention. Recommended to those who enjoy the most introspective-fragile moments of prog folk. ..............
This is an awesome album of progressive folk-rock from German group Gurnemanz!! Very much in the style of UK folk-rock ala Fairport Convention or Spriguns, singer Manuela Schmitz has an amazing voice and could give Sandy Denny a run for the money!! The male vocalist, Lukas W.Scheel, has got a real Fairport-y delivery also!! The musicianship is stellar and the songs, whether sung in English or German, are great!! The version of John Barleycorn is one of the best I've heard!!.....
Excellent Folk Rock made in Germany - mostly sung in english.
I'm not a big fan of Folk-Rock in particular but this record really got something special. Great instrumentation, lovely voices (especially when in duo) and that melancholic & bluesy feel to it persuade my ears..............
Songs / Tracks Listing
1. What a Day it is (3:10)
2. Libelle (3:27)
3. Der Schwartenhals (3:43)
4. John Barleycorn (6:29)
5. Givers and Takers (2:51)
6. Morning Song (3:58)
7. Dublin (3:14)
8. Deep Sleep (2:40)
9. Different Ways (2:25)
10. Mattelotte/Kupferschmied (2:40)
11. Die Auswanderer (3:01)
Bonustracks
12. My Friend (2:52) (studio 1976)
13. Tra Na Rossan I (2:55) (live 1979)
14. Tra Na Rossan II (3:03) (live 1979)
15. Another Morning (3:44) (live 1978)
16. Among The Rice Fields (5:05) (live 1979)
17. Rain Song (2:07) (live 1979)
18. Wanderer (4:06) (live 1979)
19. November (2:15) (live 1979)
20. November Tea (3:17) (live 1979)
21. Vetrieben (4:15) (live 1978)
22. How Much Love (4:43) (live 1979)