Streetmark Nordland 1976 Germany, Krautrock, Symphonic Prog

Streetmark - Nordland 1976 (Germany, Krautrock, Symphonic Prog)




Debut album from Dusseldorf . Created in 1968 by students Dorothea Raukes and brothers Thomas and Bernd Schreiber. First played covers of The Beatles, John Mayall, Deep Purple. Then it dawned on them that it is possible to compose the music itself . Than 6 years and they do - before the release of this album. Since Dorothea was a pianist , in their music felt the influence of ELP, Procol Harum, Focus. The album turned out , in fact , great. Consists of two suites . Emphasis on long detailed composition. In general, having lived and even more jazz or fatal than analogues type Novalis or Jane. Many allusions to classical , baroque, with classic rock. Vocals - English, male . Note the cover Eleanor Rigby.

Streetmark is one of the lesser known german bands of the 70's.One of the reasons is that the musicians kept their day-jobs, toured mainly in their area and didn't develop a follow up like GROBSCHNITT or NOVALIS who toured heavily.STREETMARK played together since 1968 but took time to record their first record 'Nordland'.They took the time to play the songs live and work them out. 'Nordland' was recorded and produced by the well knownengineer/producer Connie Planck on the new Sky label.Side one starts with a suite ' House of 3 windows'. The first part shows influences of Ekseption and Focus especially towards the end when G.Buschmann does vocalises like T. van Leer.The second part goes more in the direction of Procol Harum, Gary Brooker being the obvious model for Buschmann.The third part is a cover of 'Eleanor Rigby' ( a minor hit for STREETMARK) and quite an interesting approach of such a classic track. STREETMARK plays the song up- tempo and agressive which works fine.'Amleth Saga' is another Procol Harum influenced track. The only weak track on side one is 'Italian concerto in rock' a pseudo baroque instrumental à la Ekseption or Wendy Carlos with cheesy synth sounds. The second side 'Nordland is more athmospherique.The first part, an instrumental reminding NOVALIS goes into a more jazzier track' Lyster Fjord'. The third part 'Ladoga' is my favourite track on the record, a beautiful melody ,the only weak point are the vocals. The second side closes with 'Reality Airport' an uptempo rocker with nice rhythm changes. On the CD edition there is a Bonus track 'Da Capo' a variation on the 'Eleanor Rigby' theme.Review by Alucard

Tracks:
House Of Three Windows - including:


01. House For Hire - 3:17

02. Green Velvet Curtains - 2:20

03. Eleanor Rigby (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 5:21

04. Amleth Saga - 7:16

05. Italian Concert In Rock - 2:33

06. Da Capo - 2:44


Nordland - including:


07. Waves & Visions (Conny Plank) - 2:49

08. Lyster Fjord - 7:26

09. Ladoga - 3:43

10 . Reality Airport - 6:32



Personnel:

- Georg Buschmann - lead vocals
- Dorothea Raukes - keyboards
- Thomas Schreiber - guitars
- Hans Schweiß - drums
- Wolfgang Westphal - bass