Magma news

**Dana5140** · 07-19-2021

Found this as well- very interesting takes here.

**chalkpie** · 07-19-2021

Wouldn't it be amazing to hear a full scale orchestral/choral arrangement performed of CV's works? I mean done properly with a brilliant orchestrator and willing/capable ensemble? I think the power and immense emotion of his music would translate wonderfully if done right.

**jazz2896** · 07-19-2021

I think the more composed sections of CV's works would work decently well with an orchestra, but when it comes to the more modal/vampy parts I don't think it would sound too hot. To me a lot of the magic of CV's stuff is the group interplay and the little improvisatory flourishes here and there, which I think an orchestra would restrict and muddy up a little too much. Plus an orchestra would bring the music a little too close to Earth, is that why we listen to Magma? But it's possible, it would have to be veery well arranged though. I'm still a bit conflicted on the studio Zess.

**Marco** · 07-19-2021

Originally Posted by Dana5140

Found this as well- very interesting takes here.

Ugh, the start to Zombies was an absolute trainwreck.

**unclemeat** · 07-20-2021

Akt 19 to be released soon

akt1.jpg

akt2.jpg

**Dana5140** · 07-20-2021

Cool! Mixing Offering and Magma.

**Rarebird** · 07-20-2021

Originally Posted by unclemeat

Akt 19 to be released soon

akt1.jpg

akt2.jpg

Interesting. But first I need to order that Offering box and I first wait till I got an answer on recieving To love instead of Merci. Besides I'm expecting the Hoelderlin live DVD+CD and some other stuff.

**chalkpie** · 07-24-2021

The Kohntarkhosz on the ER Trilogie DVD is just absolutely insane. How they manage to get to the end in one piece is just miraculous in itself, but then again so is the entire journey! During James's guitar solo, the keyboardist is playing on the offbeat in 3/4 and its so flippin difficult to keep counting in time if you try to just zone in on his part, but its also a challenge and fun as hell. James is just wailing away and Vander is purposely fucking with syncopated rhythms on top of this whole bloody mess - but its synchronized like a Swiss clock. Perfection. Its simply astounding playing and writing. That ending section might be the absolute pinnacle of Magma...maybe??!!

Wunderbar!

**calyx** · 07-24-2021

Originally Posted by chalkpie

The Kohntarkhosz on the ER Trilogie DVD is just absolutely insane. How they manage to get to the end in one piece is just miraculous in itself, but then again so is the entire journey! During James's guitar solo, the keyboardist is playing on the offbeat in 3/4 and its so flippin difficult to keep counting in time if you try to just zone in on his part, but its also a challenge and fun as hell. James is just wailing away and Vander is purposely fucking with syncopated rhythms on top of this whole bloody mess - but its synchronized like a Swiss clock. Perfection. Its simply astounding playing and writing. That ending section might be the absolute pinnacle of Magma...maybe??!!

Wunderbar!

Agreed it's a high point of the entire Magma oeuvre. I had somewhat mixed memories of this series of shows, because initially Benoît Widemann was on second keyboards and I was disappointed with his performance. For some reason it felt underrehearsed. I wasn't so surprised when I turned up at another show the following week and Benoît was gone. There was some uneasiness about why and how he had been let go. When I bought the DVD, I was reminded of how great the performances where, despite the lack of Benoît's Minimoog leads. This may well be my favourite version of "Kohntarkosz".

**Marco** · 07-24-2021

I'd very much like an Akt release featuring nothing but every possible solo of Mac Gaw on Köhntarkösz. No one but Chris Potter can ever touch what James did in building a narrative in long solos.

**Conti** · 07-24-2021

Originally Posted by chalkpie

The Kohntarkhosz on the ER Trilogie DVD is just absolutely insane. How they manage to get to the end in one piece is just miraculous in itself, but then again so is the entire journey! During James's guitar solo, the keyboardist is playing on the offbeat in 3/4 and its so flippin difficult to keep counting in time if you try to just zone in on his part, but its also a challenge and fun as hell. James is just wailing away and Vander is purposely fucking with syncopated rhythms on top of this whole bloody mess - but its synchronized like a Swiss clock. Perfection. Its simply astounding playing and writing. That ending section might be the absolute pinnacle of Magma...maybe??!!

Wunderbar!

I don't own the dvd, but it seems it was recorded on Nov. 15 and 21, 2014. I have attended Magma's gig at Le Triton on Nov. 22. If I remember correctly it was the last day of their residency and the playing was insane. Kohntarkosz was definitely the high point, and the most impressive version of the piece I've ever heard. I would like to have a tape of this concert, must look for it.

**chalkpie** · 07-24-2021

Originally Posted by Conti

I don't own the dvd, but it seems it was recorded on Nov. 15 and 21, 2014. I have attended Magma's gig at Le Triton on Nov. 22. If I remember correctly it was the last day of their residency and the playing was insane. Kohntarkosz was definitely the high point, and the most impressive version of the piece I've ever heard. I would like to have a tape of this concert, must look for it.

That's wonderful Alberto! Lucky man! I am partial to the olde band with the Paganottis, etc but this particular group just slayed this material. I also would love to have the audio from this DVD to crank on the hifi. The picture quality seems to be a slight improvement over the epok series as well.

**Conti** · 07-24-2021

Originally Posted by chalkpie

That's wonderful Alberto! Lucky man! I am partial to the olde band with the Paganottis, etc but this particular group just slayed this material. I also would love to have the audio from this DVD to crank on the hifi. The picture quality seems to be a slight improvement over the epok series as well.

Frankie, the day before I was attending Lindsay Cooper's tribute at the Barbican, in London. Best money I've ever spent in my life.

**calyx** · 07-24-2021

I was at the Nov 7, 14 and 19 shows - not those that were used for the DVD. I didn't remember it being such a long residency ! Widemann was there the first week, probably just a couple of shows.

**Conti** · 07-25-2021

Originally Posted by calyx

I was at the Nov 7, 14 and 19 shows - not those that were used for the DVD. I didn't remember it being such a long residency ! Widemann was there the first week, probably just a couple of shows.

I remember seeing you - not meeting you - at the Barbican on Nov 21. I was too shy to introduce myself.

I wonder if Magma will ever consider releasing some of these shows at Le Triton as download only, like King Crimson did. The sound quality will be definitely great and there are certainly impressive performances hidden in the vaults.

**Rarebird** · 07-26-2021

Just listened to Merci for the first time and I like it.
Alas I like it better than To love, which I originally got instead of Merci, which was what I ordered.

**pepetriano** · 07-26-2021

Originally Posted by Rarebird

Just listened to Merci for the first time and I like it.
Alas I like it better than To love, which I originally got instead of Merci, which was what I ordered.

I think Merci is excellent. Different, but still the same excellent. And like you I prefer it to To Love.

**flytomars** · 07-26-2021

Originally Posted by Conti

I don't own the dvd, but it seems it was recorded on Nov. 15 and 21, 2014. I have attended Magma's gig at Le Triton on Nov. 22. If I remember correctly it was the last day of their residency and the playing was insane. Kohntarkosz was definitely the high point, and the most impressive version of the piece I've ever heard. I would like to have a tape of this concert, must look for it.

I was on the 19 and 20, what a crazy week -
2 Lindsay Cooper tributes, Toubifri Orchestra, Dedication Orchestra, Pere Ubu, Magma (including Baba Yaga la sorciere) and more...
I miss those pre-covid times

**NogbadTheBad** · 07-26-2021

Originally Posted by chalkpie

The Kohntarkhosz on the ER Trilogie DVD is just absolutely insane. How they manage to get to the end in one piece is just miraculous in itself, but then again so is the entire journey! During James's guitar solo, the keyboardist is playing on the offbeat in 3/4 and its so flippin difficult to keep counting in time if you try to just zone in on his part, but its also a challenge and fun as hell. James is just wailing away and Vander is purposely fucking with syncopated rhythms on top of this whole bloody mess - but its synchronized like a Swiss clock. Perfection. Its simply astounding playing and writing. That ending section might be the absolute pinnacle of Magma...maybe??!!

Wunderbar!

Is that Mythes & Legends IV?

**Dana5140** · 07-26-2021

No, this would be on the Ementeht-Re Trilogy DVD. That consists of ER, Kohntarkosz and KA. Each version is superb, and the version of Kohntarkosz is completely insane. I had seen a preview of James' guitar solo some years ago in a short clip from Elsa Stavilaski, and to see the full version is amazing. I do not know. how everyone keeps rhythm in that ridiculous time signatures that are all over the place. Watching Jeremy Ternoy comp behind James is a lesson in itself. Truly astonishing.

**chalkpie** · 07-26-2021

Originally Posted by NogbadTheBad

Is that Mythes & Legends IV?

https://www.seventhrecords.com/en/vi...logy-1260.html

Here ya go....I didn't see it at Wayside

**Bytor** · 07-26-2021

Originally Posted by chalkpie

https://www.seventhrecords.com/en/vi...logy-1260.html

Here ya go....I didn't see it at Wayside

Is this also available in audio only?

**Rarebird** · 07-28-2021

This morning I dreamed I was with a Magma influenced group with 3 drummers. The leader was a rapper as well and he divided the drumsolo over the 3 drummers.

b.t.w. Am I the only one who sees the cover of Merci as a kind of reference to Offering?