Search - Witthuser & Westrupp :: Der Jesuspilz / Musik Vom Evangelium

Pychedelic Folk in German about a JESUS MUSHROOMM

W. T. Hoffman | Pennsylvania, United States | 10/27/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Bernd Witthueser and Walter Westrupp got together at Dieter Dierks studio, at the time THE top krautrock producer, to create what has to be one of the most bizarre folk albums ever recorded, based loosely on first Genesis, and passages from the Gospel of Luke and Mark. Unusual for the times, the album was sung completely in German. Tho only two men are listed in the band, the producer and Gille Lettman (from ASH RA TEMPLE) help provide the instrumentation. Most of the composistions are played by two acoustic guitars, with one guy singing, or reciting the lyrics. With so much of the album recited in German, and no translation provided, this can be annoying for those who dont know the language.



The album opens with some jews harp, a cash register, and acoustic guitar providing a cool, rambling melody. The singer tells us to "Sit yourselves down and listen to me", because he has a strange story to tell. Percussion included here includes the SPOONS, among other sounds. The second song, "CREATION", includes lyrics such as "In the beginning was Evil. So that Evil was easier to see, mankind turned on the light, and saw that the evil was good". Beginning with the same noodling on acoustic guitar, and wind chimes, the lyrics are recited. A backround electric guitar part is overdubbed, with very atonal, freaky leads. Then they add a flute, and then mellotron played by Dierks. Behind all this are drums, played very loose, mostly avoiding a set groove. Later, backround voices are heard singing AH. The song ends like the opening, acoustic guitar with wind chimes. The third song, ILLUMINATION AND VOCATION, begins with two acoustic guitars, playing an actual melody, and counterpoint. Then, bongos are added, and a mellotron string part. When the acoustic guitars begin to create a rythym, the two guys being to SING this song. Midway into the song, a children's chorus adds an ironic twist by their innocence, to a song that deals with the Evil of Mankind. It all fades away, into the 10 minute long fourth song, "COLLECTION". Beginning with an ocean, the song brings in random percussion on bongos, then rambling acoustic guitar leads. Kazoo is added, and one line is sung. About five minutes later the other instruments drop out, and Harmonium goes SOLO. Then recited bits from the Gospel of Luke follow. This particular song doesnt do much for me, since it's not melodic except for the Kazoo. Bits of the Bible are added to lines like, "The breadcrumbs are with you." The lyrics can be as annoying as that endless Kazoo.



The fifth song, TAKE THIS AND EAT, has two beautiful interwoven acoustic guitar pieces. Some light tapping percussion, and organ drone completes the soundscape. This song has a minor chord type melody, is very slow, and moody. This is the most traditionally beautiful song on the whole CD. But its only a 3 minute rest stop. The albums last song is a total freak out. The acoustic guitars appear, with their leads and countermelodies, but now heavily flanged. In fact, when the vocals begin, Dieters lays so much reverb and flanging on them, that you can barely make out anything they are saying. This number, VISIT FROM THE COSMOS, goes into slow, contemplative passages, only to head back to the thicker instrumentation part way thru. The singer recites a tale about a "big festival", where "Seven old women are seen sitting by a fire with red mushrooms" (Presumably psychedelic Fly Agaric.) Strummed guitar bits turn into flamingo music, with Castenettes added with good effect. Towards the end, Westrupp plays flute . The lyrics make little sense, what I can hear of them thru the effects. The acoustic guitar strumming tempo speeds up, the flute trills on high notes, and the album comes to its conclussion.



Witthueser and Westrupp's first album together, TRIPS AND DREAMS, is all around a better album, since you have songs with enjoyable melodies, and lyrics, while still sounding hip and trippy. FARMER PLATH, their third album is very good, tho not as far out as their first two albums. Both those albums I can easily recommend, but THE JESUS MUSHROOM is hard to get into. It's far too unfocused, including the production, and the songs' structures. Also, for those who are Christian, the lyrics (If you understand German) may not be something you want to feed your head. THE JESUS MUSHROOM/ MUSIC OF THE GOSPELS is an experiment, that sounds psychedelic, without enough form, structure, and clear lyrics, to give it substance outside the concept that haphazardly unites the piece. Not a first purchase, tho fans of Witthueser and Westrupp should get it at some point."