3 Stars
Audio CD (paid link)
Birth Control was first formed in Berlin, Germany, in 1966. There is a band still going under that moniker in 2022; in fact, they have just released a new album entitled ‘Open Up.’ But of course the Birth Control of 2022 (sic) is not what it used to be. The Birth Control of today is several generations down the line.
However, this review is for their best-selling and certainly most renowned album, ‘Hoodoo Man’ from 1972.
The band at that time consisted of what many consider to be their classic lineup. Keyboards – Mr. Wolfgang Neuser. Bass Guitar – Mr. Bernd Koschmidder. Drums – Mr. Bernd Noske. Guitar, vocals, songwriter, and producer – Mr. Bruno Frenzel.
The band’s sound is very much a hotchpotch of musical styles from the late sixties and early seventies. Think Vanilla Fudge, Early Deep Purple and Uriah Heep with the pathos of Rare Bird. Which in itself is fine, as we all have our influences. Mine was Lassie!
The band does rock along with heartfelt gusto. Opening up with an explosion of earth-shattering magnitude, the band is up and running with ‘Buy’ – a solid rocker based on a raging organ core with gruff vocals and lead guitar breaks that Ritchie Blackmore would be proud of. The rhythm section is absolutely rock solid.
And so it goes on. Most songs come in at over six minutes giving plenty of space for the soloists to show their chops.
for drawing this—one of the many mysteries of Rock’n’Roll.
The title track ‘Hoodoo Man‘ has some impressive church organ played by Pastor Plate! So it says here. Mr. George Mac Knickerick (yeah, right) plays bagpipes on the quite frankly hilarious ‘Kaulstoss,’ an intriguing instrumental featuring a fine vocal solo by somebody’s dog. A little light relief as Wolfgang Neuser switches from organ to some fine barrelhouse piano.
‘Gamma Rock’ is a classic early seventies freak out, which led to it being the centrepiece of their live set. Amazingly, a version cut into two (A & B sides in those days) was a huge hit single in their homeland.
The band has survived six decades and with this sort of enthusiasm will last another six. Well, why not? Other bands are doing the same without any original members. People still go to the shows, buying the new product. If what you are selling is good, your people will come.
Hardly original but worth a listen.
Their Artwork is always extremely amusing. Hoodoo Man is no exception. Hey, use every trick at your disposal. Take a chance.
Written by Mott The Dog.
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