From the Stuttgart region of Germany, Siddhartha’s origins go back to 1971, as a few student friends hatched the idea of creating a blend of psychedelic and art-rock musics.
In 1973 they became Siddhartha (taking their name from a Hermann Hesse novel) as a part time band whilst continuing studies at university. (discogs.com)
And here´s theri first and last album, a mega rare item (with a print run of only 400 or 1,000 pieces)
When Siddhartha originally recorded their only album in 1975, no label would commit to the uncompromising weirdness of the music from these art rockers. Weltschmerz starts off with “Looking in the Past,” a track that goes from brash proto-new wave with female vocals, to laid-back psychedelic guitar rock, to hyper, keyboard-driven prog, and then into strange space rock territory with a chorus and finally back to the driving proto-punk. Siddhartha doesn’t try to fit any niche too comfortably — Pink Floyd-ian space rock, to Emerson-like symph-rock keyboard workouts, to psychedelic guitar solos, to haunting violin over a lush keyboard bed, to cosmic folk with acoustic guitar and flute. Siddhartha works against predictability as they pull one musical rabbit after another out of their hat, with strange song structures in between long instrumental passages of melodic beauty. Siddhartha is a difficult group to pigeonhole, if you are so inclined; however, for those who don’t like their music pigeonholed, Weltschmerz is a wonderful treat. (by Rolf Semprebon)
I think that unjustly this band like related has been classified prog, for my taste is a progressive band without no doubt.
“Looking In The Past” begins with a powerful song of a female singer, followed by a surrounding keyboard and underground, the subject is developed almost completely instrumental.
“Tanz Im Schnee” is a jewel made by this group of adolescents, enthusiastic bass guitar, with powerful rates, a guitar that perfectly follows the development of the subject, a style support jazz of the battery and the omnipresent keyboard that makes of this subject an intense experience, really is the high point of the album.
“Times Of Delight” is good and mysterious, the bad thing is the poor performance of the male singer in where it is not reached to listen nor to understand what says, besides to have an English very badly spoken.
“Weit Weg” this it is the most complex track of the album, sung in German, diverse changes of rates, is used the violin and tuba giving him to a strange atmosphere of circus and mystery is a great subject although it is not easy to understand initially, but its power catch you and like.
“Gift Of The Fool” the disc finishes with a mysterious song in where it becomes to emphasize the great work of the organ, delicate sound of violin and an appropriate vocal performance.
Finally single it is to say that it is a good discovery of the underground German progressive world of 70’s, you do not doubt purchase to it this disc (by ChileProg)
The band would rather have had Gabi Roßmanith sing all the songs… what a great voice and the voice reminds me of Grace Slick.
Personnel:
Klaus Hermann (drums)
Gerhard Kraus (violin, vocals)
Martin Mörike (keyboards, vocals)
Eberhard Müller (guitar)
Klaus Scharff (bass)
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Lothar Mattlinger (tuba)
Gabi Roßmanith (vocals)
Iris Rothermel (flute)
Tracklist:
01. Looking In The Past 6.08
02. Tanz im Schnee 5.11
03. Times Of Delight 7.04
04. Weit weg 12.15
05. Gift Of A Fool 6.39
All songs written by:
Klaus Hermann – Gerhard Kraus – Martin Mörike – Eberhard Müller – Klaus Scharff
ManyFantasticColors 