WELTSCHMERZ

SIDDHARTHA were a five piece band out of Germany, forming in 1973 and releasing this one studio album in 1975. While this record has it's flaws I am a pretty big fan of this one. It reminds me why I'm so into that psychedelic style of krautrock. A very interesting album from start to finish as we get five tracks worth under 38 minutes. A uniform sounding album which I like despite the different directions they seem to go on this one. They disbanded in 1977. The dominant instrument is the organ but usually floating, creating atmosphere. The violinist and guitarist are often soloing, and we get a solid rhythm section. The bass player would become part of PANCAKE in the late seventies.

We get three guests on here adding different flavours including a female singer on the opener who turned 18 the year this album was released. Guest tuba on one track and flute on another. Wait did I just say tuba? I've heard tuba on some avant releases but it's a rare instrument, it adds some levity, although I'm not a fan. "Looking At The Past" is a great way to start in my opinion with Gabi coming out of the gate like a storm, reminding me of Renate at first. She's really only on at the beginning and ending with actual singing but adds wordless vocals as well in between. Nice deep bass lines here and the organ leads when the tempo picks up.

The opener was almost a deceptive start on my first spin thinking she was their singer, that we had a female fronted band here. Not so much. The keyboardist and bass player between them sing on three tracks leaving one instrumental "Tanz Im Schnee" my least favourite even though I still like it. Jazzy bass on this one with shuffling drums, guitar and piano. Organ will lead more than the piano here. This is the shortest song at 5 minutes. "Times Of Delight" features a significant amount of violin and guitar even them trading off at one point. Some Gilmour-like guitar and the male vocals are just okay. It's the other male singer who sings on the final two tracks that I wish was the only singer even though I like Gabi. He just has this voice that draws me in. Character sure, but fragile and crying out at times.

He sings in German on the best track "Weit Weg" an over 12 minute piece of brilliance and a track featured on one of those krautrock various artist albums. Love this one! The mood, the repeated themes. Come on! Flute on this one and the organ creates atmosphere. The flute brings RPI to my mind every time I hear it here for some reason. This one has a couple of tuba excursions but overall just kills in a psychedelic manner. The closer "Gift Of The Fool" features more floating organ as the violin and guitar lead the way. English vocals at 2 minutes.

I honestly think this album could have been much more well known and appreciated if the band had say Conny Plank guiding them. A talented group though, and a very interesting listen. My music.