[KRAFTWERK] From Ding to ?berding

[Best Photo]

In the past, I have disparaged Autobahn, but with the last few shows and a
listen to the original, I'm digging it all over again.

 

  _____  

From: kraftwerk-bounces at activerecord.com
[mailto:kraftwerk-bounces at activerecord.com] On Behalf Of jan svenungsson
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 10:43 AM
To: kraftwerk at activerecord.com
Subject: [KRAFTWERK] From Ding to ?berding

 

 

 

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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