Improved Sound Limited - (1971 - 1976) [3 CD's]

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This Nuremberg group began to play together as early as 1961 under the name Blizzards. They used the name Improved Sound Limited from 1966 onwards. In the late sixties, they specialised in delivering soundtracks for German television and movies by Michael Verhoeven. "Engelchen Macht Weiter, Hoppe, Hoppe Reiter" (1969) was the soundtrack from a Verhoeven film, released on the same label as the first Gomorrah album. I don't know this one (presumably a late beat rock effort), but their self-titled double album for Liberty was very inspired by the American folk-rock of Bob Dylan and The Band. Dylan was mentioned several times in the clever lyrics (from now on written by Axel's brother Bernd), for example, in "Doctor Bob Dylan". Improved Sound Limited also merged some more European elements into their folky rock style, such as some fine flute phrases. Regrettably, their passion for American music led them closer to country music on "Catch A Singin' Bird" (1973). Quite good compositions and lyrics ("The Dark Lord" was about Tolkien's "Lord Of The Rings"!), but not exactly performed in the idle way most of us like, I'm afraid. Pedal steel guitar was played by Frank Baum and Ralph Nowy guested on trumpet and sax. Improved Sound Limited changed their name to Condor in 1976 and released a much worse album: "Rathbone Hotel" (1976).
(Taken from Cosmic Dreams at Play)

http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2760

Track Listing

01. Doctor Bob Dylan (5:17)
02. Pink Hawthorn (3:08)
03. Johanna (4:04)
04. If You Want To (2:12)
05. Oedipus (3:45)
06. Fudd McGorges (3:22)
07. Thingamannalime (3:30)
08. An Old Army Poern (2:05)
09. Where Will The Salmon Spawn (2:51)
10. To My Son (5:16)
11. Shining Brighly In The Sun (4:14)
12. It Is You (You Belong To Me) (2:02)
13. Columbines, Violets And Daisies (2:35)
14. I Am The Wolf (4:49)
15. A Well-Respected Man (3:38)
16. Drunken Mr Hyde (0:49)
17. A Soldier's Songbook (17:30)
18. *** (0:47)

Improved Sound Limited - Catch A Singing Bird On The Road (1973)

Track Listing

01. Humphrey Bogart (4:57)
02. The Dark Lord (3:39)
03. Barricade (3:20)
04. A Poet's Conversation (3:30)
05. Catch A Singing Bird On The Road (3:57)
06. Sunday Morning After Church (3:37)
07. Breed (3:47)
08. Mountain Moonshine (4:03)
09. Rio Bravo 59 (2:44)
10. Hot Biscuit Slim (4:30)
11. The Dark Lord (Bonus) (2:43)

Improved Sound Limited - Rathbone Hotel (1976)

 Track Listing

01. Number One (3:31)
02. Tularosa (3:19)
03. Till 9 A.M. (3:25)
04. If Could Read Her Mind (4:47)
05. Stray Cat (3:06)
06. Old Mexico (3:17)
07. Nothing's Worrying Me No More (4:20)
08. Little Sue (3:41)
09. Suicide Road (3:30)
10. Mortgage (4:01)
11. Bound For Spain (2:46)
12. Somora (3:17)

~Enjoy~