Witthüser & Westrupp -Trips & Träume (1971)

Apparently, Witthüser & Westrupp came into being at the Essen "Podium" folk club where Walter Westrupp worked as a DJ. Bernd Witthüser was already known as a protest singer, Westrupp was playing in a skiffle band, and when the two met they realised there was a magical chemistry between them. They busked and played in local clubs creating their own unique repertoire. Although working as a duo since 1969, their debut was released under Bernd Witthüser's name, as it contained music composed by him, with lyrics taken from the writings of politically minded poets and novelists, like Novalis, Heine and Brösel.

As a proper duo the Witthüser & Westrupp sound came on in leaps and bounds, their music was pure innovation, drawing on Westrupp's classical background, and enthusiasm from Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser, Witthüser & Westrupp became the cosmic buskers! With some of the finest session musicians in Germany, they went on to record three of the most original progressive folk-rock albums of the early-70's.

"TRIPS & TRÄUME" is, excepting a couple of shorter catchy folk songs, a very cosmic affair, with long spacious tracks oozing out atmosphere, like ancient folk diversions from Ash Ra Tempel. Up first is "Lasst uns auf die Reise gehn" which is such a moving tune for me, i´m so touched by this song. "Nimm doch einen Joint, mein Freund" is a (sort of) cover of THE FRATERNITY OF MAN"S "Don't Bogart Me" made popular by it's inclusion in the film "Easy Rider". This version is such a blast as we get English vocals for the first time as they sing about sharing weed and singing about hash and lsd. Humerous stuff.

The next two albums on the Pilz label developed the sound on an even richer more complex level with massed keyboards, a little more rock, more guitars and even choirs, many of the guests being from Wallenstein. After disbanding, both musicians went onto other folk and political bands: Baier Westrupp, Die Walter H.C. Meier Pumpe, etc. A double live album of Witthüser & Westrupp was also issued.

Tracklist:

A1	Laßt uns auf die Reise gehn	4:00
A2	Trippo Nova	8:55
A3	Orienta	7:35
B1	Illusion I	4:35
B2	Karlchen	9:05
B3	Englischer Walzer	1:38
B4	Nimm doch einen Joint, mein Freund	3:30

Witthüser & Westruppe - Trips & Träume (1971)
(192 kbps, cover art included)