1. Mad House (C.Grumbkow/J.Grumbkow) - 6:47
2. Your Eyes (J.Grumbkow) - 6:10		play
3. Circus (C.Grumbkow/J.Grumbkow) - 10:05 including:
  a) Tango Mili
  b) Marching
  c) Sensations
4. Streaming (H.Bäär) - 7:10
5. Phasing (J.Grumbkow/H.Bäär) - 12:08

Personnel:
- Hans Bäär - bass, guitars
- Michael Bruchmann - drums, percussion
- Christian Grumbkow - lead guitar
- Joachim Grumbkow - keyboards, cello, vocals
- Joachim Käseberg - live sound
- Christoph "Nops" Noppeney - viola, acoustic guitar, vocals
- Jörg-Peter Siebert - saxophones, flutes, percussion

Another very nice number from Germany. "Clown & Clouds" is an album where listener can find a sort of cosmic symphonic rock where main influences are GENESIS, CAMEL and GROBSCHNITT.

HÖELDERLIN characteristics are the nice vocal arrangements, very good playing (specially percussion treatment) and the use of saxophone, flutes and strings (cello, viola) beside the traditional instruments. Compositions are well done, going from symphonic tunes to some jazzy and cosmic sounds.

Quality remains along all tracks, but two longest are outstanding. "Circus" (a three parts mini suite) is excellent, symphonic rock as its best in the GENESIS vein, while "Phasing" has a long atmospheric instrumental start that becomes in a cosmic rock piece, very interesting.

Those who like the German classic spacey sound plus GENESIS and CAMEL hints, will surely enjoy this album. Recommended. ---Marcelo, progarchives.com

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1. Waren wir - 4:50
2. "Peter" - 2:55
3. Strohhalm - 2:04		play
4. Reqiem für einen Wicht - 6:36
5. Erwachen - 4:04
6. Wetterbericht - 6:37
7. Traum - 7:23

Personnel:
- Michael Bruchmann - drums, percussion
- Nanny DeRuig - vocals
- Christian Grumbkow - guitar
- Joachim Grumbkow - cello, acoustic guitar, flute, keyboards, mellotron
- Peter Kaseberg - bass, acoustic guitar, vocals
- Christoph Noppeney - violin, flute, piano
+
- Peter Bursch - sitar (3)
- Mike Hellbach - tablas (3)
- Walter Westrupp - flute (5)

This group started as one of those early 70's folk rock prog groups along with Barrock, Ougenweide, Wittheuser & Westrupp (a guest on this album) etc. and produced one of the best and most stunning folk prog album ever, then disappeared for a while due to their label bankruptcy, before resurfacing as a symphonic prog band and a slightly differently-spelled name. Named after the poet, (there is another German group who did this with Novalis), the least we can say is that this album is pure poetry

This absolutely delightful record is an incredibly successful mix of medieval ambiances, stunning 60's folk rock, slight Indian music influences, the whole thing sprinkled with a tad of hippy idealism and great progressive arrangements including the odd Mellotron. From the opening Waren Wir to the closing Traum (dream), the album is invitation fly out of our realm and head for Nirvana, paradise, Eden, Babylon, with flaunts of flutes, loads of Hamonds, Trons of Mello, guitars strings by the dozens and superb vocals both male and female. If you cannot find a suitable album to get comfy and shag the partner, try this one and do not forget to put the repeat (the album is fairly short), and the trick is half-done. To name a highlight would be quite difficult, as you'd be doing injustice to the other non-mentioned tracks. Not a weak note on this album. Nanny de Ruyg's voice is right up with the cannons of the genre and the German lyrics are simply heavenly music for the mind.

One of those incredibly good-vibes record, with breathtaking beauty, this is easily in my top 50, and it would be criminal of you if it was not in yours within two months of reading this review. Run for it!!!!!!!!!!!! ;-) ---Sean Trane, progarchives.com

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01. Häktik Intergaläktik - 8:28
02. Sky Lift -  4:15		play
03. Before You Lay Down Rough And Thorny - 7:33
04. Rare Bird - 7:32
05. Necronomicon - 6:25
06. Sun Rays - 8:5+
+
07.	Blackbird (Demo)	0:55
08. You Are The One (Demo)	2:29

Personnel:
- Hans Bäär - bass
- Michael Bruchmann - drums, percussion
- Christian Grumbkow - lyrics
- Joachim Grumbkow - keyboards, vocals (4)
- Christoph Noppeney - viola, vocals
- Pablo Weeber - guitar, vocals (3)
- Manfred von Bohr - drums (5)

Hoelderlin were a German band who started out firmly with a prog-folk styling, but by their 3rd release (Clowns and Clouds) gave in to a more symphonic-prog direction (some could say that they took the easy way out by changing to this style). 'Rare Birds' is their 4th release and really hits this prog listener somewhere deep inside. The main keyboard utilised on this LP is a string synth, and IMO, it is used to great effect and compliments the arrangements perfectly (i.e. - it wouldn't sound the same with a mellotron, believe it or not !). The production is quite clear and well balanced - very professional. Almost straight away, the terrific opening track, 'Haktik Intergalaktik', starts with an immediately noticeable odd-time riff, with lovely viola playing from Christoph (Nops) Noppeney, and a tight, precise rhythm section (the Bass-guitar sports a lovely tone) - we are up and away. Quaint vocals from Nops, great progressions throughout, a brief interlude which I find is most touching, and great guitaring till the end. 'Sky-Lift' offers us a laid-back, fusiony feel with some tight playing all around. 'Before You Lay Down/Rough and Thorny' is again a smooth, jammy piece with a most blissed out end section. Side 2 begins with the title song, 'Rare Bird', and is a beautiful example of 'head music', the song is built around piano and string synth, with minimal drumming (just a bass drum, from memory), totally mellow, deep and profound, with a dramatic middle section - very dreamy, without question. 'Necronomicon' is a superb instrumental, starting out with an almost sinister undercurrent, and giving way to some stormy playing - especially a great semi-tone riff in 5/4 in the middle. The closing track, 'Sun Rays' is probably the weakest composition on offer here, and quite lengthy, but still holds the attention. Overall, a fantastic album from these highly skilled and talented musicians, and quite worthy of attention. Personally it commands the full 5 star rating, I have to give in - it's gorgeous !! --- Tom Ozric, progarchives.com

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