(Editor's Note: Portions of this issue have
been edited to reflect updated information,
or to correct mistakes in the information presented. We have done this to insure
that you
receive the most accurate information possible. Thanks ! 11/98)
IN THIS ISSUE
=============
FROM THE AUTHORS
- Russ's Update
- Letter From Hans
- Jim's Notes
- The Quest, by Philippe Fontan
WANTED
- "Pompeii" Info
COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATION
- Russ's Top Ten List
- Info on Barry Palmer
- From Canada
- Sweet Dreams are made of this
- General Ramblings of mice in eggshells and lightbulbs
- Triumvirat: Additions
- J.Fritz Picture
- More Additions
- Yes...Triumvirat Web Page!!!
- Triumvirat-like Groups, etc...
- From KSHE
- A Suggestion
- Triumvirat-like Groups, Video, etc: More
- The "Kevin Bacon Game" Goes Triumvirat
- Triumvirat fan from Lodi, California
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND CONTACT INFORMATION
_____________________________________________________________________
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
---------------------------------------------------------------------
____________________
= FROM THE AUTHORS =
--------------------
=>Russ's Update
=============
Hey Everybody!
Thanks for all the mail, research, and continuing interest! I
have spoken with Hans Bathelt in the past week, and he expressed
interest in contacting EMI about at the very least, organizing a one
or two CD "Best Of Triumvirat" -type package. I'll keep you updated,
and, as Jim has noted, the possibility of marketing sheet music has
been well-received by those who can make it happen. I have also
faxed Barry Palmer, telling him that "Ala Carte" is out on CD.
I have also taken a very personal interest in re-releasing Helmut
Koellen's 1977 album "You Won't See Me" on compact disc.
Thanks to the former Triumviratters Juergen Fritz, Barry Palmer,
and especially Hans Bathelt for their kindness and support of this
project. I hope everyone has a super 1997! This marks the 25th
anniversary of the release of "Mediterranean Tales: Across the
Waters", Triumvirat's first album. Also, sadly, the 20th anniversary
of Helmut's passing. All the more reason to see his solo album
released on CD. Let's make it the year of the "return" of Triumvirat
(in one form or another...)
Russ Shaw
Author, Triumvirat Homepage
Note: Apparently, Hans Pape is still in Cologne, according to Hans
Bathelt...
=>Letter From Hans
================
'Dear Russ:
'Thanks for your letter from November and Christmas card. You've
brought it all up to date with the new biography and the photos. I
can imagine it's hard to find a video from the old days, but I've
never had one, either. I've got all of the albums on CD of course,
but thanks for your offer anyway.
'Now back to your questions. The mouse on our album covers was a
concept of the EMI art department in Cologne. There was no suggestion
from the band. They just thought to come up with something new. It
had no relation to the music or anything else to do with the band.
It was just a typical seventies type of cover. As far as I remember
the art department even received an award in Germany for that concept
with the mouse, and the most asked question was how they managed to
get a shot with the mouse on the egg without harming the animal.
'I have no clue why the European version of "Old Loves Die Hard"
says "In Deepest Sympathy". The only guess I have is that it is only
to be seen in the context with the album title. The question why the
album was released with different covers is that Capitol (in the USA)
didn't like the German version and came up with something else.
'I hope you and your family are well and I wish you all the best
for 1997.
'Best Regards from Cologne
'Yours,
'Hans'
=>Jim's Notes
===========
Greetings Friends !
Thank you so very much for your well wishes, as the computer
repairs were underway ! Glad to say, that all is functioning as well
as can be expected now.
I've made a few changes here and there on the website. New logo,
new background image, a correction here, an adjustment there. Always
good to start the New Year with a fresh look. I still have some more
touching up to do here and there. If the counter on the "welcome"
page seems to have suddenly jumped to about twice what it used to be:
it has ! The new counter should not suffer from the problems of
being "busy" that sometimes occurred with the "Webcounter". It also
now reflects the total number of visitors over the lifetime of The
Triumvirat Homepage. We've been on the web for almost two years now!
The material in the "What Happened to..." section of the Homepage
has been updated and additional information placed there. I think that
I will be renaming the "What Happened to.." page to "Where are they
now?", or should that be "Where have they been?" But perhaps you have
a better idea! Let me know...
Philippe Fontan sent the following story to us. I really enjoyed
reading it, and I believe you will too. It is a familiar story, of
what so many of us have gone through to find the music that we love.
I hope your year is off to a great start !
Peace
Jim Bradley
TATW Editor
jim@triumvirat.net
=>The Quest, by Philippe Fontan
=============================
"It was shortly after 1979
When they started a new time
Music was flowing"
Let me tell you a story.
I was fifteen then. A older friend of mine had been initiating me to
progressive rock. Classics, to start with. I had my Genesis, my
Jethro Tull, my Yes. I sprinkled in a bit of Pink Floyd; added a
touch of King Crimson; decorated with Gentle Giant.
By then, I was ready to apply for a British citizenship. I mean, was
there really anywhere else you'd want to live? You know the old
bit; "If you were stuck on a desert island, what records would you
take with you?" Well, the desert island was England, and the records
were its own.
So, I had mastered "Selling England by the pound". "Thick as a brick"
had no secrets left for me, and "Close to the Edge" seemed to refer
to an orgasm.
Life was good.
As I moved on to other classics that were from the beginning of the
decade, it seemed like there would be no end to the flow of
neo-classical, experimental, counter-beat music.
Well, there was.
And life was not so good.
Once you had run through the Genesis, Yes and Tull catalogs backwards,
the only thing left was waiting for new releases. And then they came
out.
Now, if memory serves me well, around that time, Genesis came out with
"And Then There Were Three", Yes with "Tormato", and Tull with "Songs
From The Wood".
Hmmmm. Ain't sure about that citizenship anymore.
My friend was in the same predicament as I was. But he still had a
card left in his hand. Still one more rabbit to pull out of his hat.
Actually, the rabbit was a rat, and the hat was an egg.
When "Illusions on a Double Dimple" hit my ears, I thought it was just
that: an illusion. "What do you think it is?" my friend tested me.
"Definitely ELP, when they had less musicianship and more artistry.
Maybe The Nice", I replied with the confidence of a teenager who
still believed in the music monarchy of England.
So T'rat was born, and my quest had begun.
Germany found its way to my map of the world. For a while, Cologne
became bigger than London. But there loomed a problem: my friend's
album was an import, with that weird German scribbling all over, and
no other copy was to be found. Now, as a teenager, I didn't have the
means to order my own (25 Canadian dollars, I distinctly remember the
owner saying when I inquired - At that time, the Canadian dollar was
at par with the US dollar).
Where was I gonna find 25 bucks. It had taken me weeks to scrape
enough to buy one Supertramp ticket for 14$ (Yes... 14 dollars for
a three hour concert... Hang on, while I wipe away my tears...)
So instead, I bought "Spartacus". For the first time in my life, I
had stepped forward in a band's catalog, without having listened to
earlier recordings. And to my amazement, this one was (almost) as
good as "Illusions".
For months, I was happy. Listening to "Spartacus", asking my friend
to come over, "and don't forget to bring Illusions".
From time to time, life has a funny way of reminding you that
happiness is something you have to earn. My friend and I lost touch
for different reasons. And I was down to only "Spartacus" for a few
years.
I eventually bought "Old loves die hard" and "Pompeii". Nice. But I
wanted to hear that piano intro to "Mister Ten Percent". Because
it's the greatest piano intro you'll ever hear, and I mean EVER! I
needed to play air drums to "Roundabout", and it didn't matter I
couldn't tell a crash cymbal from a crash test dummy.
By then, my record store had changed owners, and the new guy was
more interested in selling the latest B-52s or Styx, than ordering
some obscure album from Germany (small town, you know).
Why he ever stocked "A la carte" is still a mystery. I wish he
hadn't. To me, Triumvirat had now gone where all the other bands had
gone before.
So I tried something else. I bought Starcastle, a Yes imitation.
Pfffff. A few Klaatus, but only one really worth the while. Got all
the King Crimson I could get. Well, Robert Fripp is Robert Fripp.
Some days he's... and some days, he isn't... I finally found solace
in Marillion. So much so that by 1985, when I got Misplaced Childhood,
I had all but forgotten the darn rat in the egg.
Marillion had gotten me through college. I was still listening to
T'rat, and all my old loves, but I was changing. I had gotten out of
college, had a job and a car. Although I could now frequently visit
several specialized stores in Montréal, by that time, I was only
looking for obscure Marillion recordings. That was just about the
only "progressive rock" interest I had left.
Eventually, the original owner had bought back my good old record
store. Out of habit, and without thinking of it, I asked him whether
he could order an album from Germany, the band's name is T'rat and
blah blah blah... He unconvincingly said he'd try. But he did
remember me asking him the same thing years before.
He was a nice old man. A bit distant, maybe even cold to some people,
but his face would light up when he talked about music. Classical
was his thing, of course, and he didn't understand music that needed
amplification. But still, he'd recognize another music lover when he
saw one, and that was rare enough so as to create some kind of bond.
He'd direct me to his sales clerks who, he prided himself, were as
fluent in the modern credo as he was in the old one.
My musical cravings became a bit different. I began to turn to much
harder music, maybe because of Crimson's albums with Wetton and
Bruford. I discovered all of Led Zep, Rush and Queen. All more
mainstream, and easily obtainable at my old record store.
In 1987, I discovered Triumph, a Canadian blues-based but very, very
hard rocking band (by the way, Rik Emmet is definitely the most
talented combination guitarist-vocalist in the world.) And so again,
I was in a frenzy to buy Triumph albums. No need to go to any
special store. Finding a Canadian band in a Canadian store is pretty
simple.
Back to the same old record store. Looked in the Triumph section.
Thin. I guess nothing new came in, but let's go through it anyhow.
"Just a Game", yep, got it. "Thunder seven", yep, got that one too.
"Just a Game" again, yep, I said I got that one. "Illusions on a
Double Dimple"...
Say what?
The white rat was staring me in the face. I froze.
The last album in the Triumph section was Triumvirat.
Imported from Germany.
On sale.
14.99$
You know when Parsifal finally discovered the Holy Grail? When
Columbus set foot on the New World? When Armstrong stepped out of
the Eagle? Peanuts... Just a drop compared to the waves rushing in
my veins at that precise moment.
I've moved since then. I don't know what happened to the old man,
although I can pretty much guess he's having a glass of wine with
Beethoven and Schubert right now. I never knew how the album got to
be where I found it. But the old man must have had something to do
with it, one way or another, directly or indirectly.
From time to time, life has a funny way of reminding you that
happiness is something you have to earn. Patience has been my virtue,
I guess.
And you wouldn't believe how good I am at air drums...
May the mice be with you,
Fil
(c) 1996 Philippe Fontan, All Rights Reserved.
Printed with Permission of the Author
* * * * * * * * * * *
__________
= WANTED =
----------
=>"Pompeii" Info
==============
From: ".", INTERNET:brasilmn@minn.net
I was living in Brazil in 1980 and I discovered this group while in a
record store. I got their album and it is fantastic. I have been
searching for the cd copy for many, many years. Does it exist ?
Please give me any info you can.
Thanks, Jeff Arntson
[Editor's Note: Yes, "Pompeii" is easily found, available from most
online CD vendors.]
* * * * * * * * * * *
______________________________
= COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATION =
==============================
=>Russ's Top Ten List
===================
Here are Russ's "Top Ten" reasons for a Triumvirat Reunion
#10) Triumvirat was Jurgen's most internationally famous and
best-selling project (geez it was his LIFE!) .
#09) Face It, this band has unfinished business!!
#08) Do It for the fans.
#07) Perhaps twenty years of name recognition will finally give you a
huge album like you want.
#06) 1996 marked the debut of the Triumvirat Homepage, let's bring
the band back in 1997!!
#05) After 20 years, Hans would "like a Double Dimple".
#04) You could easily record a great album without Matthias Holtmann!
#03) God might be a Triumvirat fan.
#02) Yes, ELP, Tangerine Dream, Eloy, Jethro Tull, Page & Plant,
etc. are still JAMMING STRONG and rich!
#01) Do it for Helmut!!!
=>Info on Barry Palmer
====================
From: Marcel Sztukowski
Barry (Palmer) lives in London, UK. At the moment he is working on a
solo-album. I do not know if he has the time to start another project
with his former colleagues, but as he told me, he could imagine
rejoining again with the others for one album, or a tour.
As you already guessed, Barry is trying to get into the Internet but
still has no possibility for sending or receiving e-mails. You will
be astonished what a kind person he is, so there will be no
difficulties in talking to him about his career or his work as a
musician. The only problem you will have to face is that Barry is
quite hard to reach.
Have a nice time and keep on rocking ....
By
MARCEL
=> From Canada
===========
From: "penton", INTERNET:penton@odyssee.net
Hi T'ratheads!
It's great to see your project evolve- letter from Bathelt was great
reading, hope the rest of it is in the next issue.
Being the one in Canada who sent in the Spartacus review, I can
definitely say that the initial Canadian release (which I bought in
early August '75, which was about 5 months after it came out here)
did not contain the lyrics, much to my chagrin). I made sure to buy
the import of OLDH the following July (after it was premiered [so the
folks at CHOM claimed] on Montreal radio before anyone else in
America heard it). I remembered being blown away by the sound- I was
a DJ in my high school radio station and quite enjoyed playing
'Accident...' in it's entirety every shift I got! The depth of the
synths is still wonderful to my ears. The vocals get a bit wearisome,
and the complexity of 'Illusions..' somewhat lacking, but the sound
more that made up for it. Pompeii came out here in Nov. '77, not in
the gatefold cover, but at least with a lyric insert- The sound
wasn't as good, but the music I found somewhat more inventive, at
least for the non-pop tunes... A La Carte was found it March '79, and
God I tried, Lord knows I TRIED to get into it, but it sort of...
drifted AWOL from my collection sometime after, and hasn't been seen
or heard of since. I never heard of the successor LP, and would like
to read a review of it...
As for the earlier LPs- I got Illusions a few weeks after Spartacus,
and was quite captivated by the instrumentals, which I find outdid
most of the ELP/Nice material and any thing else from the current
prog-bands. Anyone else out there familiar with the early Eurock
mags? There was a T'rat article in one of the editions I don't
have...
It took me until early '77 to finally find a copy of MTATW, and that
was quite the scaled down treat- I still use the intro to '11 kids'
as a practice piece...
Grant (montreal)
=>Sweet Dreams are made of this
=============================
From: sztukows@farpoint.fps.de (Marcel Sztukowski)
Hi, all folks out there !
May I briefly introduce myself: My name is Marcel Sztukowski. I
am a 25-year-old German student living in a village about 40 km from
Wuerzburg. I came to the music of Triumvirat by listening to Barry
Palmers voice on Mike Oldfields "Discovery".
Actually being a Mike Oldfield-fan, I have all his records
including "Discovery". I liked Barrys voice and decided to search for
more information about him. This is the reason why I am here now,
writing you.
Recently I was talking to Barry: Barry did not know that there
is a Triumvirat-homepage at the Internet so he was astonished that
there are still so many fans appreciating their music. Although he
would not interrupt his solo-career, he could imagine rejoining with
his old friends from Triumvirat for an album or a tour. Finally, I
gave him the address of Juergen Fritz. Barry will now contact him
and maybe sweet dreams are made of this.
Bye
MARCEL
=> General Ramblings of mice in eggshells and lightbulbs
=====================================================
From: "Doug C", INTERNET:smashed@ix.netcom.com
Thanks for the tip on the website. Haven't looked at everything yet
but found the site quite informative, and, unfortunately, somewhat
depressing.
I guess there are a number of bands that have the problems of members
dying but unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning is not high on the
list. The band history explains the personnel changes clearly. This
was information that was virtually impossible to get at the time it
was happening. Still love both "Illusions" and "Spartacus". I enjoy
"Pompeii". I still have problems with "Old Loves". Do the surviving
members have any desire to do any more together, that you are
aware of?
Eviscerator
=> Triumvirat: Additions
=====================
From: Frank Kreutz <frakreutz@metronet.de>
Hi Russ,
My name is Frank Kreutz and I come from Ludwigshafen in Germany. I`m
a new subscriber to TATW. I`m glad to see that there are other people
out there who also like Triumvirat. You`ve done a wonderful job
maintaining the website. Thanks also to Jim Bradley.
The reason for this e-mail is that I have some additional information
that may interest you. Of course you can include it on the website
or the TATW newsletter if you like. Most of this info is from two
German books I own (both sadly long out of print), called "Rock in
Deutschland" from 1984 and "Rock - Made in Germany" from 1980. The
former contains three pages of compact info on the band while the
second has a very interesting (and VERY long) interview with Juergen
Fritz, which runs to no less than 29 (!) pages in which Juergen tells
Triumvirat`s story until then from his point of view (It is sometimes
a little different :-) to what Hans Bathelt told you).
(1) Surprisingly (at least from a German point of view) the most
successful record is missing from your discography. It`s a single
which was released in 1977. Both songs are from the "Pompeii" album.
On the A-side is "The Hymn", "Dance on the vulcano" is on the b-side.
They are credited to "NEW Triumvirat". The number is EMI 1C 006-32548.
According to J. Fritz this single was their most successful in Germany
having sold 55.000 copies.
(2) RE: TV-shows.
"The hymn" became quite popular in Germany because the band had the
chance to promote it on German TV. As you mentioned correctly they
were featured on the show "Disco", but far more important was their
being on the show "Rockpop". You can guess by the titles of those
shows that Rockpop was much more appropriate for the Triumvirat-sound
than disco. More TV-shows: they guested on "Plattenkueche" (that’s
the correct title, not the one with "Helga and Frank..." that you
mention on the page - Helga and Frank being the first names of the
two presenters of the show) on April 10th, 1979 with "Waterfall" and
again on March, 4th 1980 with "Party Life". As far as I know both
songs have also been released as 45s.
(3) After a few attempts for a big German tour failed (most notably
in 1979 a planned tour with percussionists, choir and orchestra which
sadly did not take place) they finally played Germany in spring 1980
to promote the "Russian Roulette" album. The line-up consisted of
J. Fritz (keyboards), Arno Steffen (vocals, guitar), Mike Gong
(guitar), John Avila (bass), Michael Andreas (Saxophone, percussion)
and Herb Quick (drums). Unfortunately this tour wasn’t a big success;
the same is true for one final tour in the fall of 1980 with above
line-up minus Mike Gong. He was replaced by David Hanselmann (vocals),
while Arno Steffen concentrated on guitar (BTW, that’s HAnselmann,
not HEnselmann, as is mentioned several times on the page).
(4) A few more trivia bits:
"Old loves die hard" was number 1 in Portugal (earning them a gold
disc). For the same album Triumvirat were awarded the "Deutscher
Schallplattenpreis" ("German Record award") in early 1977.
That’s all for now. I hope it was a bit interesting for you. I have
some more info (especially about other records made by Triumvirat
members like Hanselmann, Palmer, Fritz, etc.). Tell me if you’re
interested.
Bye for now
best wishes
Frank
=>J.Fritz Picture
===============
From: Manfred.Jagalski@Koeln.netsurf.de (Manfred Jagalski)
Hi Russ !
Even if its New Years Day I must write this short mail to you.
In yesterdays local paper was a small black&white pic of Juergen
Fritz. He is producing a new record with a Cologne female
actress/singer. Its just newspaper quality and very small but I will
scan that pic for you next week when I`m back in the office and try to
attach it to a mail. I also got a book as a Christmas present which
covers the music of the 70`s (and the DISCO TV show !). I still have
to read it but already found a pic of Doldingers Passport with Curt
Cress in it. I will scan that as well. If I find more I let you know.
If it doesn’t work attaching the pics to a mail I copy it to disc and
send it by ordinary mail.
Greetings from the VERY VERY COLD and SNOWY Cologne
Manfred
=>More Additions
=============
From: Frank Kreutz <frakreutz@metronet.de>
Hi Russ,
A few more corrections/additions that may interest you:
(1) In the biography you wrote that the llusions-Lp "quickly caught on
in Germany, ...". Sad to say, but that’s not true. Triumvirat
generally had a hard time in Germany. Juergen complained in the
interview that they sold only a few records in Germany at first (3000
of the debut album, 5000 of "Illusions.."). It was only after their
success in the States that the German audience "caught on". And even
then they weren’t THAT popular in Germany (just think of the various
efforts to tour Germany that were cancelled due to poor ticket sales).
(2) I guess it has been mentioned before but Juergen was NOT a member
of the group "Gaensehaut". This was a trio consisting of Gerald
Dellmann, Dieter Roesberg and Wolfgang Hieronymi (the spelling of the
names on the page is wrong). All three of them had been with another
moderately successful German band called "Satin Whale". This band has
another interesting Triumvirat-connection. Their last album in 1981
was called "Don’t stop the show" (Polydor 2417139). It was recorded
by a new line-up with a new singer: Ex-Triumvirat Barry Palmer. BTW,
it has also Juergen Fritz on keyboards as a guest player ! Still the
album sold poorly and was deleted soon afterwards (I don’t think that
it’s available on CD).
(3) Another interesting album for Triumvirat fans must be a
self-titled album by the German band "Hollywood" (EMI 066-32728).
The line-up features Arno Steffen and Matthias Holtmann. Also guesting
on keyboards: J. Fritz. It was released in 1978.
(4) You mention that Curt Cress played on "over one hundred" albums.
I suppose the truth is far more near the 1000-region. In the German
rock lexicon from 1984 it is written that he already played on
approx. 400 Lp`s (and there were quite a few coming after that. :-))
So you’d probably better only list his solo albums (some as Curt
Cress Clan) and the ones where he actually was a group member
(Emergency, Atlantis, Passport and Snowball). Otherwise I guess the
list would be endless.
(5) It’s good to hear that Barry Palmer is alive and well. I read that
in the 70s he was a member of the teeniegroup "Kenny", who were pretty
successful in the mid 70s here all over Europe. Maybe someone could
confirm this info, as the Kenny-line-up I know of did NOT include him.
(6) A few more records with Triumvirat members :
- Dick Frangenberg played on "Dick & Alex", self-titled album, 1978
(also Juergen Fritz on keyboards)
- Juergen Fritz also played on the following LP4s:
"Saddle soap" by Tanned Leather (1976)
"Midnight Magic" by She (1977)
"Diamonds for Breakfast" by Amanda Lear (1980)
"Stories" by Michael Holm (mid 70s)
"Survivor" by Eric Burdon (1977).
(7) I have a single by The Hollies (an enormously successful 60s
and 70s British band) from 1988 called "Stand by me", which was
a minor hit here in Germany. It was partly recorded in Cologne (!)
and the credits feature as co-writer and co-producer a certain
J. Fritz. Most likely this is Juergen, but again this info has to be
confirmed.
(8) The writing of one of the musicians is not correct: it is not
Werner Kopat, but Kopal ( L instead of T at the end). he is also known
in Germany for playing with the FOODBAND, recording the album
"Rhythm`n`juice" in 1981. From 1983 till the late 80s he was a member
of "Wolf Maahn & Die Deserteure", a quite successful German band,
recording at least 4 albums with them.
(9) Re: David Hanselmann
Maybe David is the best known of all EX-Triumvirat members here in
Germany. He can also be heard on "Electric Overdrive" by Overdrive
(1979), "Using the head" by Message (1977) and on two successful
albums he recorded with Chris Evans: "Stonehenge" (1980) and "Symbols"
(1981). For a while in 1981 he was a member of Snowball (Curt Cress`s
band), but didn’t record an album with them. He has released at least
three solo albums in the 80s:
- "Somebody’s watching you" (Teldec 6.25295) in 1982
- "Frontline" (Teldec 6.26130) in 1985
- "Let the music carry on" (details unknown).
His most famous song here is called "Go get the cup" from 1990, which
was the official German TV-song for the Soccer worldcup in Italy.
(10) Arno Steffen released one solo album in 1983 called "Schlager".
He also played on "Der Chef" by Zeltinger (1979) and the hugely
successful album "Halleluja" by Marius Mueller-Westernhagen (1989).
Probably you know most of this info already (sorry), but I hope
there was also something new for you.
That`s all for now
Best wishes
Frank
=>Yes...Triumvirat Web Page!!!
============================
-- [ From: Brian Werner brian.werner@mci.com
Yet another "die-hard" Triumvirat fan!
I was led to Triumvirat by my obsession with ELP and the keyboard
talents of Keith Emerson. I'm sure every Triumvirat fans knows about
ELP - the influences and similarities are definitely there. However,
I am definitely a firm believer that Triumvirat has its own unique
style too! I think the "ELP-clone" label comes from those who don't
listen very extensively.
Nice job on the home page, well organized and very informative. I'm
sure it's a lot of work to research and maintain - it's most
definitely appreciated! I definitely want to be sent newsletters when
they are issued.
With regard to the Illusions vs. Spartacus debate that seems to be
surfacing, put my vote in for Illusions - it's the best! Don't get
me wrong, it's not like there is some glaring difference here, in my
opinion both albums are exceptional and classics! "The School of
Instant Pain" and "Spartacus" off of Spartacus are without a doubt
two of my favorite Triumvirat pieces, and I think that the rest of the
album is also excellent. I just think that Illusions overall
possesses more depth, continuity and intensity. To me, Illusions best
epitomizes what the group is all about and brings out the
individuality of THEIR style. I also think it has the best keyboard
work Jurgen has to offer - Keith Emerson would no doubt bless this
stuff! Anyone who really likes keyboard-driven progressive rock would
be a fool not to listen to these two albums with regularity.
I'd also like to give some praise to Old Loves Die Hard. In my
opinion this album is very underrated. Everyone talks about Illusions
and Spartacus, but there is some awesome stuff on here! Maybe it's not
quite the caliber of Illusions and Spartacus but some of it's right up
there.
On another note, I really enjoy playing keyboards and would love to
get a hold of some good SHEET MUSIC for Illusions, Spartacus, and Old
Loves Die Hard, not to mention the other albums. Do you know if any
exists, and if so how to get a hold of it? Have you ever talked to
Hans Bathelt or Jurgen Fritz about it? If not, please do so if
possible. Has anyone else ever expressed an interest in this to you?
This is definitely a popular topic with ELP fans and I would also
expect it to be the case with Triumvirat fans. Looking forward to
hearing back from you on this topic.
Thanks for both of your efforts,
Brian Werner
[Editor's Note: Although sheet music is not currently available, Hans
Bathelt has expressed an interest in looking into getting sheet music
released, and made available. We'll keep you posted !]
=>Triumvirat-like Groups, etc...
=====================================
Jim & Russ,
Sorry to here about your computer troubles. Hans jogged my
memory; I was at the Ambassador not the Fox for their second
gig (Spartacus tour) in St. Louis. Back then they had ELO play
first followed by Triumvirat, then kicked everyone out. I went
to the later show that had Triumvirat first, followed by ELO.
We couldn't believe the jamming speed that Jurgen Fritz was
going through on keys and thought he had to be related to Keith
Emerson. I didn't know the Illusion's tour had been several months
earlier until I picked up the Spartacus tickets.
When I first got the Spartacus record, the one side had a
country/western side accidentally pressed on one side. I returned it,
but I wonder if something accidentally made is worth a lot to record
collectors similar to coins & stamps. I often dreamed of (Emerson,
Fritz, Wakeman) performing The Three Fates, Journey to Center of
Earth, and virtuoso tunes together since the MIDI did not exist back
then, and I loved all of their concerts.
I just happened to browse the St. Louis County Library and found
the StarCastle CD which was a warm-up group back in the early 70's.
They are an exact clone of YES if you listen. I also found Suzanne
Ciani's Dream Suite CD in the Library. She now has her own Seventh
Wave label(the artists shop) and it has an enhanced track zero for PC
QuickTime video, making of, biography, etc. My wife gave me Ciani's
Pianissimo II which not only has similar enhancement multimedia,
but actually displays all musical notation for all tracks with
a highlighter to help you follow along. This is a major achievement
in technology and, while I love all her new age keyboard music
on tapes, these 2 CDs must be seen and heard by all keyboard
music lovers from prog to classical to new age.
I have purchased CDs over the last year that are influenced
by Triumvirat/ELP style. Atlantis Philharmonic (70's group name
and title) is a must have for lovers of Mediterranean Tales. I
have listened to THREAD by THREAD and can only say that they
sound like the best of Triumvirat/ELP/Kansas and are a must have
for all fans. Mastermind Volume I reissued 1996 sounds at times
like Triumvirat or ELP and then gets into heavy prog at times.
Mastermind Volumes III & IV also continue the tradition of the
style in Volume I and there is a track that ends exactly the
same as Spartacus (same notes and synth sound). I don't know if
they realize they did this or not, since they do borrow portions
off previous Volumes for sounds in later Volumes. I was a bit
unhappy with Volume II since it was almost all heavy prog, and
was the last one that I purchased. Par Lindh Project has CDs
"Gothic Impressions" which is a must have CD ("Night on Bald
Mountain" track is fantastic) and "Rondo" which is very short
but all the music is great. The "Bilbo" CD depends on how much
you like first two albums. Virtuoso drumming and synth
keys & strings are what make all these albums unique in a style
that will please Triumvirat fans.
>From a longtime Emerson/Fritz/Wakeman keyboard fan in St. Louis.
joe@triumvirat.net
=>From KSHE
=========
Hey Russ, thanks for your help contacting Triumvirat. I sent a letter
to Hans today asking for an interview. Was that street name legit...
...wow....I hope so.
I'll let you know if I get a reply.
Best wishes and Happy New Year.
U-man
=>A Suggestion
==========
From: Carlos Alberto Teixeira/SBE <cat@omega.lncc.br>
Hi, Russ!
Excellent: the tvat newsletter, simply GREAT.
Please, let me suggest that you limit and format
the lines with 70 characters or so. It makes easier
to quote and to read.
A wonderful 1997, that's what I wish you all.
- c.a.t.
[Editor's Note: Thanks for the suggestion! 80 characters is pretty
standard, but we understand that it can be inconvenient. We are
giving it a try this issue, as well as expanding the file size of
this issue. Jim]
=>Triumvirat Groups, Videos, etc.: More
=====================================
Jim & Russ,
I want to update my previous E-mail. I listened to Mastermind &
Monolith recordings and want to correct a statement I made. It is at
the end of the Monolith recording (not Mastermind) that the music
ends with the same notes and synth sound of Spartacus. Monolith and
Mastermind are on Prog Rock Web Page http://www.progrock.net I find most
prog music vendors under Mastermind page and select "where to buy
CDs- MMMusic, etc." The $6 tape (30 minutes) was available from
Monolith home page which doesn't seem to link properly anymore. This
is a bargain tape for Spartacus sound fans. Monolith doesn't have a
label and mailed $6 demo tape with 3 Singles (Commercial Radio) type
of rock, followed by Apocalypse Concept (progressive compilation with
a sound similar to Spartacus album). The leader's name/web master was
William (Bill) Hamer. I was lucky to get the tape while the link was
still working and suggest searching the web to see if Monolith with
W. Hammer is still out there. If not, then I mailed a $6 check to
Bill Hammer and on the envelope wrote Monolith Cassette, Bill Hamer,
P.O. Box 2001, Clifton, NJ 07015 (I assume the he still mails out the
tape). Mastermind link to "where to buy CDs- Prog Tron" has Triumvirat
CDs, ELP, Keith Emerson, Nice CDs & vinyl LPs with a few at very low
prices. I have never used this vender.
John Arnold-ELP Digest web master E-mailed me that he will ask his
readers in the next issue to hunt for the Spartacus Tour Concert
Video. A montreal fan E-mailed me that he had videos, but none were
Triumvirat. I will also ask KANSAS/GENTLE GIANT/YES Digest web masters
to join the hunt, because I know its out there. The promo video "The
Hymn" is much easier to get from sources specializing in prog videos
only. And finally, I checked the trading post on http://www.progrock.net
(also http://www.kinesiscd.com) where Larry Kolota is selling vinyl
LPs and CDs. Out of this listing are vinyl LPs of:
Gentle Giant: Interview ; Missing Piece; Giant for a Day;
Civilian $5 each
Perlitch, Michael: Keyboard Tales $8
(I have this-great keyboard sounds)
Triumvirat: Med Tales $6; Illusions; Spartacus; Old Loves
$5 each
Nice: Immediate Story (2LP set-Thoughts of Emerlist
Davjack & Ars Longa Vita Brevis) $8 - (I have
both - Ars has orchestra - great sound)
I am getting Emerson's Honky $9 really hard to find, Rare Bird's
"As Your Mind Flies By" $8 (a local used LP store wants $15), and the
Michael Quatro Dancers... $8 (Was easy to get in 70's). $5 shipping
for my order of 3 LPs. Everything in the listing is supposed to be
reasonably priced and he is accepting offers even as low as $3 (I
asked him what he wanted instead, & to knock off a couple dollars of
his $30 total for my order).
>From a longtime Emerson/Fritz/Wakeman keyboard fan in St. Louis.
joe@triumvirat.net
=>The "Kevin Bacon Game" Goes Triumvirat
======================================
From Russ:
okay, link..say Triumvirat and "Toto"
a: Steve Lukather and Jeff Porcaro played on "RR"
link Triumvirat and the Beatles
: Geoff Emerick (eng. on SPLHCB) engineered "Spartacus"
also Helmut did "you Won't See Me"
link Triumvirat and "Meat Loaf"
a Curt Cress
etc
=>Triumvirat fan from Lodi, California
====================================
From: "The Shocknesse's" <bneshock@softcom.net>
Years ago I saw a picture at a friends house of a 3 piece band. The
Key player had Hammond and Moog and the bass player had a
melotron. I knew they weren't ELP so I assumed they were Triumvirat.
Doesn't anybody have any live pics of the band? I assume not as you
don't have them at the site.
I think Spartacus was my favorite album. I like concept albums. I
would like to get a chance to see them live. But video would be
okay. I am a big Moog fan and being an ELP fan I was drawn to
Triumvirat’s' sound. A lot of keyboardists play their synthesizers as
if they were just another keyboard, but Keith Emerson and Fritz
treated the Moog as an entity all its own and treated it that way.
They both played things on the Moog they wouldn't think of playing on
any other keyboard. I really liked that.
The new homepage is great.
Robert Shocknesse
Lodi,Ca 95240
U.S.A.
...................................
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---------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ADDRESSES
=============
Send your submissions for publication to: Jim Bradley
( jim@triumvirat.net ) or to Russ Shaw at ( russ@triumvirat.net ).
Editors:
========
Russ Shaw russ@triumvirat.net
Jim Bradley jim@triumvirat.net
The Triumvirat Homepage World Wide Web Site:
http://www.triumvirat.net
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Tales Across The Waters, (c) 1996 The Triumvirat Homepage, Russ Shaw,
and Jim Bradley. All Rights Reserved.
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END OF TALES ACROSS THE WATERS #4
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