Parzival ~ Germany

Parzival (1971)

Legend is unique among German folk rock albums, in that it's more in line with the English progressive folk rock movement. As such, these albums have long been held in high esteem from worldwide collectors who prefer the UK progressive style and lyrics in English. Only on occasion do Parzival play it straight, and long stretches of instrumental fancy are on display. With flute, violin, acoustic guitar, cello, viola, driving electric bass and drums, and piano, the instrumental palette is rich and the music is at times complex. The one anomaly is Groove Inside, which for me is the highlight of their canon. Imagine an instrumental kosmische Comus caught in a deep groove trance for 16 minutes. It's an amazing piece, and if the album in total was entirely like this, no doubt Parzival could have found themselves on the Ohr label.

Ownership: 

1971 Telefunken (LP). Gatefold. Acquired in 2012. 

1998 Telefunken / EastWest (CD). Booklet with history in German + photos. Features one track from a 45 plus two short demos from 1969. Acquired in 1998.

First copy: 1975 Nova (2xLP). A German Rock Legend with Barock. Acquired in 1994.

1994; 1998; 6/22/14; 7/19/22 (review)

Barock (1973)

For years, I'd thought of Barock as a much more inferior and straightforward folk rock album than its predecessor. On a careful listen, it's obvious that this album too possesses many delightfully odd moments, and some truly excellent progressions. In particular tracks like 'Black Train', 'Scarlet Horses', 'Thought', and 'Paradise' all feature more than enough twists and turns to keep a progressive rock fan happy. The shorter tracks act more as incidental interludes.

On a personal note, of the two band leaders, a one Lothar Siems, is most assuredly a distant cousin of mine. See, my mother's maiden name is Siems, and the family history was for hundreds of years in and around the Bremerhaven area of far northern Germany. Given that Parzival are from Bremen, only a short way south confirms that. Besides, he actually looks like some of my cousins...

Ownership: 1973 Telefunken (LP). Acquired in 2017.

First copy: 1975 Nova (2xLP). A German Rock Legend with Parzival (1971). Acquired in 1994.

1994; 9/10/99; 5/18/13; 6/22/14 (review)

6/22/14 (new entry)