Magma news

[Conti]

The studio version has the bizarre vocals and thin mix, but it has a certain charm. After watching the new MDK performance, it sort of renewed my love for the piece. I've been hot and lukewarm with it in the past, but its hot at the moment. The Epok 2 version with Top just kicks all sorts of Zeuhlassh. I need to revisit the older mid and late 70s versions. I've been really digging Wurtah Itah....sooo good.

I was really disappointed with Top's performance in MDK in the Epok 2 DVD. I could read from Vander's face a big "WTF is going on" when Top delivered the most non-zeuhlish bass ever. By the way, I'm still not convinced by Top Jr, even though the TV performance of this week was cool as a whole IMO. But then he has to step into huge shoes - Bubu was a monster, omniscient, omnipresent, telepath, sick bassist for Magma.

Concerning MDK, I like the bits of it in Live/Hhai, and in assorted live performances, especially in Retrospectiw I-II. The studio version has its charm, sonic issues apart. But from the early epic works I much prefer Wurdah Itah and Kohntarkosz, the latter being possibly my favorite piece by anyone, ever.

[Rarebird]

Any opinions on the Offering box?

[aith01]

Any opinions on the Offering box?

It's wonderful. A little different from most Magma, but chock full of lovely music. I got the Offering box set back in 2017 and absolutely love it. I think if you enjoy later Magma like Felicite Thosz you will like Offering as well.

Offering didn't tend to have as much of the darker edges that Magma had (although it does crop up here and there still). The jazz and soul factor is ratcheted up a bit on some of it too. You can still tell it's Christian Vander at the helm though, and I think any Magma fan will find lots to like.

[Kcrimso]

^ I have issues with a lot of Magma albums sonically, live and studio, but still love em. I have such musical OCD....I watch that video yesterday and since then its been all Magma all day.

What's everyone's fav MDK versions?

Studio version is my favourite one. Some live renditions are maybe more powerful but studio version is just so charmingly bizarre.

[Dana5140]

Kohntarkosz, the latter being possibly my favorite piece by anyone, ever.

Mine, for sure. I have listened to so many versions so many times and each one is magnificent. But the Live Hhai version and the DVD versions reign supreme- the violin by Lockwood, the solo by Wiedeman, and the absolutely insane guitar solo by James all blow my mind no matter how often i hear them.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

^ I have issues with a lot of Magma albums sonically, live and studio, but still love em. I have such musical OCD....I watch that video yesterday and since then its been all Magma all day.

What's everyone's fav MDK versions?

It would be the version on Opera De Reims if the ending was present! As it stands, I'd go with the Retrospectiw version over the studio CD (with ODR in third).

[calyx]

My favourite MDK was probably the one I witnessed in Nancy in 2003, where the then-current line-up (probably my favourite of all the ones I've seen) were joined by Klaus Blasquiz, Bernard Paganotti and Didier Lockwood, plus a brass section and extra vocalists. The entire show was so great that when I saw them again in a Paris suburb a few days later, I thought I'd witnessed the only "meh" Magma gig ever, but it was probably just because it sounded too "normal" after the Nancy extravaganza.

Here's a recording - https://www.calyx-canterbury.fr/mp3/MDK_Nancy.mp3

(Did I mention that the Nancy gig also had opening sets by Offering and Jaga Jazzist ?)

[calyx]

Another MDK that remains engraved in my memory was the one at the Knitting Factory, NYC, July 2003, a few days after NEARfest. The end section I remember as particularly stupendous. On a side note, Keith Macksoud (Présent) and myself were operating the merch table and we did excellent business that night.

[Steve F.]

Mine, for sure. I have listened to so many versions so many times and each one is magnificent. But the Live Hhai version and the DVD versions reign supreme- the violin by Lockwood, the solo by Wiedeman, and the absolutely insane guitar solo by James all blow my mind no matter how often i hear them.

Very seldom would I say that a reformed version of a band is (one of) the definitive version of the band, but I would say that the band with James and Bubu were a definitive version of the band. rest in peace, James.

[Munster]

My favourite MDK was probably the one I witnessed in Nancy in 2003, where the then-current line-up (probably my favourite of all the ones I've seen) were joined by Klaus Blasquiz, Bernard Paganotti and Didier Lockwood, plus a brass section and extra vocalists. The entire show was so great that when I saw them again in a Paris suburb a few days later, I thought I'd witnessed the only "meh" Magma gig ever, but it was probably just because it sounded too "normal" after the Nancy extravaganza.

Here's a recording - https://www.calyx-canterbury.fr/mp3/MDK_Nancy.mp3

(Did I mention that the Nancy gig also had opening sets by Offering and Jaga Jazzist ?)

Phew... That's a hard one to beat, so I won't try. But one of my favourite versions is from the unfavoured "Bourges 1979", which comes in at an appallingly short 29 minutes. The drums are superbly recorded and I cannot help laughing whenever I hear the faux band introductions at the start (at least I think they are faux, as my French is atrocious ).

[Conti]

My favourite MDK was probably the one I witnessed in Nancy in 2003, where the then-current line-up (probably my favourite of all the ones I've seen) were joined by Klaus Blasquiz, Bernard Paganotti and Didier Lockwood, plus a brass section and extra vocalists. The entire show was so great that when I saw them again in a Paris suburb a few days later, I thought I'd witnessed the only "meh" Magma gig ever, but it was probably just because it sounded too "normal" after the Nancy extravaganza.

Here's a recording - https://www.calyx-canterbury.fr/mp3/MDK_Nancy.mp3

(Did I mention that the Nancy gig also had opening sets by Offering and Jaga Jazzist ?)

Thanks, Aymeric. This one seems to be hard to beat, by your description. I will listen to it later.

[Conti]

Very seldom would I say that a reformed version of a band is (one of) the definitive version of the band, but I would say that the band with James and Bubu were a definitive version of the band. rest in peace, James.

I tend to agree. I've seen them on the very last night of their residency at Le Triton in 2014 (the series of shows the resulted in the epok V dvd) and it was absolutely brain melting. They were smoking hot, James, Bubu and CV. RIP James.

[Dana5140]

but I would say that the band with James and Bubu were a definitive version of the band.

This for sure. What a rhythm section they were- James always subsuming his guitar to the music, Bubu driving everything forward. I think Rudy Blas is a superb player as well, but Jimmy Top is not moving me very much. There is no real bottom and it sounds as they he is still trying to come to grips with the complexity of those bass lines, and has simplified them.

Calyx, any idea what Bubu is up to these days? Also, great version of MDK!

[calyx]

Calyx, any idea what Bubu is up to these days? Also, great version of MDK!

He played a gig with Welcome X (his 'metal' band) a few days ago, which is the only band I'm aware he's in at the moment, barring the upcoming One Shot one-off reunion. Of course no one's really been doing much lately, at least in the public eye, so maybe he has other things in the works.

[Rarebird]

It's wonderful. A little different from most Magma, but chock full of lovely music. I got the Offering box set back in 2017 and absolutely love it. I think if you enjoy later Magma like Felicite Thosz you will like Offering as well.

Offering didn't tend to have as much of the darker edges that Magma had (although it does crop up here and there still). The jazz and soul factor is ratcheted up a bit on some of it too. You can still tell it's Christian Vander at the helm though, and I think any Magma fan will find lots to like.

Listened to A Fiïèh on Youtube and I liked what I heard.

It's a hard choice between this box, or more Magma live-albums.

[Steve F.]

He played a gig with Welcome X (his 'metal' band) a few days ago, which is the only band I'm aware he's in at the moment, barring the upcoming One Shot one-off reunion. Of course no one's really been doing much lately, at least in the public eye, so maybe he has other things in the works.

I thought that it was announced that he was doing something with Michael Hazera (Sotos / Zaar). Was I mistaken?

not that there would necessarily be gigs yet…..

[chalkpie]

Very seldom would I say that a reformed version of a band is (one of) the definitive version of the band, but I would say that the band with James and Bubu were a definitive version of the band. rest in peace, James.

Totally agreed. Bubu is my fav Magma bassist - his playing is just off the charts. Same could be said of James (RIP). His solos on the Epok gigs are things of beauty, and I don't think you could find another player who served the music more perfectly than he did.

[Dana5140]

Found this just now:

[Rarebird]

Any opinions on the following live-albums I have on my wishlist?
Bbc Radio Londres 1974
Bourges 1979
Live At Marquee..
Les Voix "Concert 1992"
Concert Bobino
I already have:
Köhnzert Zünd box
Concert 1971 | Bruxelles - Théâtre 140
Zühn Ẁöhl Ünsaï - Live 1974

[Steve F.]

BBC Radio Londres is pretty much the definitive and most concise statement by the 1974 band.

[calyx]

I thought that it was announced that he was doing something with Michael Hazera (Sotos / Zaar). Was I mistaken?

not that there would necessarily be gigs yet…..

I'm not necessarily the best informed person. I hope you're right, that sounds like a great pairing, and I'm sure they'd surround themselves with more great musicians.

[Rarebird]

BBC Radio Londres is pretty much the definitive and most concise statement by the 1974 band.

It's the highest one on my whislist. The other ones I just added today, when I looked the the available live-albums.

[neuroticdog]

I'm not necessarily the best informed person.

yeah...right

best
Michael

[NogbadTheBad]

Londres 74 is excellent

[Dana5140]

They are all worth having.