[KRAFTWERK] From Ding to ?berding

[jan svenungsson]

>
>
> Thanks for the article Jan - again, just highlights how prescient  
> they were back then.

--- They where lucky early on. What distinguishes really great  
artists from others is the ability to understand what you have, when  
you have it, and then hang on to it - without weakening it in the  
process. It's really really hard
>
> I'd agree with you on the fact that they're standing at the peak of  
> their achievements now. Whilst I was but a cherub when they first  
> started playing, and I do appreciate that there must have been  
> something of a unique element to them at that time, I do wonder  
> whether their live show then would stand up, in terms of sonic and  
> visual clarity to what they do now.

--- I saw them in 91, 98 and twice last year. No doubt which was the  
best concert: the second one last year (Berlin). I've been listening  
to recordings from 81 the last few days and to me it's easy: they  
sound way better now, in every aspect. Then the visuals...
>
> The constant reworking and changing of the tracks is a massive  
> thing for me. But what makes it possible in the first place is that  
> there is a remarkable level of precision and space within them that  
> allows this. It's almost like building blocks of sound - and this  
> is what to me comes across strongly when hearing them live.
>
--- Again, to be able to rework and rework your own stuff and NOT  
lose touch with what made it good in the first place but actually  
keep making it better: it's extraordinary and very very rare. Just  
think about the stamina needed for being able to return to the little  
details of these songs for the umpteenth time since 30 years...  
without being BORED.
>
>
>> I tend to think there is hardly any "live" playing at
>> all - which doesn't take anything away from the concerts. The
>> disciplined way RF has to avoid answering any such question is of
>> course also very important. I don't want him to change, but I'm still
>> curious.
>>
>
> He has said numerous times that they really do play live. In one  
> recent
> interview, he even called Kraftwerk a "jam band".

--- Well, he says so, and I like to hear him saying it, but I'm not  
sure how much I believe in the exact meaning of his words. What I do  
believe in is his extraordinary conceptual vision and control, pared  
with his ability to write timeless musical masterpieces...

Jan
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