PELL MELL (symphonic rock / Germany)

Pell Mell was a symphonic band from Marburg, Germany (Marburg is also the name of the debut album). The band (not to be confused with a 1980s American band of the same name)   was formed in 1971 by keyboard player Otto Pusch, bass player Jorg Gotzfried, Rudolf Schon on vocals, recorder, and guitar, drummer Mitch Kniesmeijer, and Thomas Schmitt on violin, guitar, and vocals. 

Pell Mell were often compared with Ekseption, Hawkwind, HP Lovecraft, the Nice and Emerson Lake and Palmer; they often borrowed classical themes and their sound much closer to the English progressive sound from the seventies than the typical Krautrock sound from that era.
The band released 5 albums, the last album “Moldau” was released in 1981, after that the curtain fell down for Pell Mell.





The first album is characterized by a rough edge, especially in the vocals. 

Subsequent albums would smooth out the edges.  Mellotron and classical themes are abundant. 

Over the next releases they would explore the realm of Mike Oldfield, and then settle into keyboard dominated symphonic. The old psychedelic sounds completely gone. Much of the music is considered some of the best German symphonic ever recorded. 


The usual lineup changes occurred over time, and the band began to disintegrate after 1978's "Only a Star." 
Thomas Schmitt formed the '80s style rock band Skyrider, with former band mate Otto Pusch. They released one self-titled album, and then took back the name Pell Mell. This incarnation released "Moldau" in 1981. However, the old magic was gone, and that is where the Pell Mell story ends.

The just released beautiful boxed set is a real historical document, it contains all 5 Pell Mell albums and also the 2 Skyrider albums, so the second Skyrider album (“the lost album”) finally gets its release.


Members:

Thomas Schmitt (vocals, violin, flute, Mellotron, 1971-) 
Otto Pusch (piano, organ, 1971-75) 
Bruno Kniedmeijer (drums, 1971-) 
Rudolf Schön (vocals, percussion, guitar, 1971-) 
Jörg Götzfried (bass, 1971-75), 
Mitch Kniesmeijer (drums)
Dietrich J. Noll (organ, piano, 1973-75) 
Andy Kirnberger (guitar, 1971-72)
Ralph Fricke (guitar, 1979-81) 
Ralph Lippmann (keyboards, vocals, guitar, 1975-79) 
Cherry Hochdörfer (keyboards, 1975-79) 
Götz Dräger (bass, 1975-79)


Marburg (full album, 1972):  http://youtu.be/vFIrYcG5BNw

Discography:

Marburg - 1972
From The New World - 1973 
Rhapsody - 1976 
Only A Star - 1978
Moldau - 1981