TRAUMSPIEL

Herbert F. Bairy is the pseudonym of German artist Ferdinand Forsch. He would release one album in his lifetime, but what an album! I have never seen so many reviewers use the word "unique" for an album in all my life. Released in 1980 Ferdinand created this album called "Dream-games", and like dreams there are no rules here of any kind. My friend Guldbamsen gave this 5 stars and you have to read his review. And while we have a mutual love for psychedelic/krautrock styled music, David has more of an appetite for the ethnic vibe than I do. And there's lots of that here.

I am actually more mesmerized by this recording than I am loving it. And talk about avant and experimental at times. I found that I needed a lot of patience with this record, the emotional connection just isn't there. We get four tracks worth around 40 minutes. And yes lots of atmosphere and exotic sounds. Some vocals. Tons of guests are helping Ferdinand create his dream album. I recognize two of them and both are from the hard rocking German band called ODIN from the early seventies. Jeff Beer adds a lot with electric guitar, harmonium, synths, drums, bass and voice. He also painted the cover art. Talented man. And his buddy from ODIN Rob Terstall adds guitars.

I love Guldbamsen's comparison of this album to a mixture of SHAKTI, CLIVAGES "Mixtus Orbis" and the "Atom Heart Mother Suite". This is not for the faint of heart. We even get some soprano female vocals. Ferdinand himself adds piano, percussion, zither, wind harp, harmonium and voice. But the ethnic sounds come mainly from tablas, tambura, african flutes and dilruba. Some horns too like clarinet, sax and trumpet. And a pocket-horn. Church organ on the opener along with cello. And like dreams the music changes on a dime. This really is something to hear.