Amon Düül II - The Best Of 1969 - 1974 (1997)

Amon Düül II - The Best Of 1969 - 1974 (1997)

Amon Düül II - The UA Years: 1969-1974 {Best Of)
# Audio CD (January 21, 1997)
# Original Release Date: August 3, 1999
# Number of Discs: 1
# Label: Cleopatra/Purple Pyramid
# ASIN: B000001JW1

Review by John Bush

The only side of the continually frustrating Cleopatra label that makes any sense at all, the reissue subsidiary Purple Pyramid continues its commitment to quality archival Krautrock with The Best of Amon Düül II 1969-1974, a collection that charts the best moments from the best period of one of the most fascinating (and often bewildering) German groups of the '70s. Included are tracks from several of Amon Düül II's best LPs: from Yeti comes "Soap Shop Rock" and "Pale Gallery," from Tanz der Lemminge comes "A Short Stop at the Transylvanian Brain-Surgery" and "Stumbling Over Melted Moonlight," and from Wolf City there's "Surrounded by the Stars," "Deutsch Nepal," and the title track. Though Amon Düül II's albums of the period are necessary for fans of the group, this makes not only a perfect introduction for new listeners but also a handy summation of what made the band great.

Tracklist:

1. Wie Der Wind Am Ende Einer Strasse
2. Archangels Thunderbird
3. Deutsch Nepal
4. Kannan
5. Surrounded by the Stars
6. Improvisations
7. Soap Shop Rock
8. Wolf City
9. Cerberus
10. Henriette Krotenschwanz
11. Race from Here to Your Ears
12. Kronwinkl 12
13. Utopia No. 1
14. Stumbling over Melted Moonlight
15. A Morning Excuse
16. A Short Stop at the Trans-Sylvanian Brain-Surgery
17. Pale Gallery