Thirsty Moon - Blitz. 1976 Germany

After all these years, I'd never heard Thirsty Moon's 3rd album, despite being a huge fan of the two prior, especially the debut. I had expected a typical mid 70s fusion, of which I've warmed up to greatly in the last 20 years. But one title that didn't do much for me was their 4th album A Real Good Time, which has become somewhat collectable in recent times. Blitz not so much, so I figured not to spend much effort to find. That was my mistake. Information about this album tends to be scarce, but essentially it's an all instrumental rock album. Unusual in its simplicity for style, though musically it most certainly belongs to progressive rock. This is not the Krautrock style of its predecessor's nor is it fusion or symphonic either. More American or British sounding than German, and somewhat unique overall. I quite like it.

Ownership: LP: 1976 Brain. Single sleeve. Green label. Online acquisition (2022).

3/19/22 (LP 3.8); 12/20/23 (new entry)

Thirsty Moon. 1972 Germany

Three plus years ago I wrote:

For me, quite possibly the reissue of the year (along with their second You'll Never Come Back). Long Hair surprised everyone with these reissues I think. Complete with unique liner notes from the band and an independent reviewer, bonus tracks (in this case a 5:42 minute number that's highly relevant to the release) and a high quality production... ...I've had this for many years on LP, and never tire of it. Thirsty Moon play a favored style of Krautrock for me: Jazzy, improvised, heavy, intense, creative. They sound like no one particular group, but elements of similar German acts like Brainstorm, Kollektiv, Embryo, Emergency, Xhol Caravan and Missing Link are apparent. Six piece band with added percussion, two keyboardists (one dedicated to electric piano) and a reeds player. The band gels on a number of fronts, especially in energy and passion - something that is rarely captured in a bottle like this. Conny Plank's engineering is all over this too (phasing, panning, gadgetry galore). And 21.5 minute 'Yellow Sunshine' is a classic for the ages - like Missus Beastly playing in the production of the Cosmic Jokers series of albums. Yes, this is in the Top 75 albums of all time for me. Maybe even Top 50.

Ownership: LP: 1972 Brain. Amazing gatefold cover of a moon spun tornado that holds up the sun and the fiery flames spell out Thirsty Moon. Online acquisition (2000). My first copy was the Rock-On Brain version known as Yellow Sunshine that was acquired via mail order (1991).

CD: 2006 Long Hair. Jewel case with liner notes, photos, and one solid bonus track.

1991; 2000; 12/18/06; 2/22/10 (new entry)