SOMMERABEND

I am going back and forth in Novalis' discography and that is a good way to do. You get variety and understand the differencies between decades. "Sommerabend" now was Novalis' (The Hamburg symphonic band) third studio album and it happens to be the most frequently rated album by the band here on Prog archives. at this time the band consisted of Hartwig Biereichel who drummed, Detlef Job who played guitar and sung, Lutz Rahn who played the keyboards and Heino Schünzel who sung and played a bass. This was a quite unchanging line up that almost stayed the same through the years.

What a lovely cover this record has. We se a girl sitting and reading in a beautiful nature with flowers in her hair. The album consists of three tracks, two with vocals, one without. They are all fabulous. "Aufbruch" is an excellent start that gives the symphonic fan everything he wants. It is instrumental varieting and the record flies though you. "Wunderschätze" with lyrics of Novalis(the poet) is totally amazing with vocals and a melodic line that takes you with it to the music world of wonders. The title track, to be honest is a bit less interesting than the others but it is almost a masterpiece, that one too. I just think it is a bit lame in the beginning. Then the fanfares start seriously and the melody that is lead by Lutz Rahn's keyboards are great.

So now have I heard Novalis' third effort "Sommerabend" twice and how does it compete in the discography. I would say that the records "Novalis" and "Sommerabend" are fantastic and just as good as each other. Though do I prefer "Brandung" and "Vielleicht bin do ein clown" which are even more bombastic. But that is a question of personal preference. This is a five star record!