More Info
“SELIGPREISUNG” (1973) was the fourth album by Popol Vuh. Compared to their previous recordings, the hymn-like ‘Hosianna Mantra’ – a milestone record within their career – saw Popol Vuh taking the next step with ‘Seligpreisung’. A new musical element entered the mix: rock. No coincidence, as Daniel Fichelscher from Amon Düül II made his first appearance here, playing guitars and drums. Fichelscher was to become an important companion for Fricke securing the rock element as an important and explicit ingredient of their music in the coming years.
The music on ‘Seligpreisung’ evokes that typical and mysterious brilliance of Popol Vuh of being able to sound non-Western while using mostly Western instruments. While Daniel Fichelscher and Conny Veit gave rock impulses, Florian Fricke and Robert Eliscu approached things from the classical side. Robert Eliscu played a lyrical oboe; his intricate duets with Fricke on the grand piano defined the meditative side of the tracks on the album. Due to the temporary absence of vocalist Djong Yun, all vocal duties fell to Florian Fricke this time. The incredibly beautiful bonus track “Be In Love” is an essential addition. It is the A-side of a now hard to find single, recorded just before the album “Seligpreisung”, with vocals by Djong Yun.
Tracklist
Selig sind die, die da hungern
Tanz der Chassidim
Selig sind, die da hier weinen
Selig sind, die da willig arm sind
Selig sind, die da Leid tragen
Selig sind die Sanftmütigen
Selig sind, die da reinen Herzens sind
Ja, sie sollen Gottes Kinder heissen
Be in Love