psuvm%d3u@psuvax.UUCP (04/08/84)
One of my favorite guitarists is Manuel Gottsching,founder of the "Berlin
school"band Ash Ra Tempel.Most of what he plays is not especially technically
difficult,but he is certaintly not a beginner.He creates contexts for guitar.
Inventions for Electric Guitar (Ash Ra Tempel VI) is all synthesized guitar and
although definitely a rock album,it is more aptly described as a collage of
rock and blues in avant-garde electronic style.There's some pretty hot playin
and also some laid back sections.The composition Quasarsphere makes excellent
use of volume pedal with other effects to create a classical impression that is
not just a mindless copying of melodies and themes.The other cuts on the album
are lengthy with sections merging into each other in development.
Although"Inventions"is done under the name Ash Ra Tempel,it is Manuel Gott-
sching multi-tracked.Another recommended LP is New Age of Earth(ASH Ra) on
which Gottsching also plays keyboard synthesizer.For band context try Join Inn
and the self titled first Ash Ra Tempel album.Mellower tastes may prefer Star-
ring Rosi ,which features Rosi singing and a Pink Floyd/Grateful Dead/Quicksil-
ver influence.Seven Up has some horrendous lyrics but interfaces basic blues
with abstract space and some Sixties riffs and stars Timothy Leary.You don't
just hear the music;you see it,too! However there is one Ashra goes club-
bing LP -Correlations-which is rather simplistic and easy listening.
The SOUND of the COSMIC COURIERS