It is very interesting how well this time was captured, even more from a phenomenological perspective, as in how to communicate to a modern audience what 1920s Weimar must have felt to the people of its time: sex, drugs, rock & roll, rich & poor, high art and low porn, and enormous freedom and possibilities. And at the same time, you had two opposing, incredibly malevolent forces (the Communists and the Nazis), who hated exactly that about the time and tried everything to make it conform to their own ideology. Enjoyed the first seasons (which were basically one complete story) a lot and will definitely tune in to the next one.
Speaking of jazz, I've enjoyed the Bryan Ferry Orchestra material--so much that the original, 1970s-80s versions hold no interest for me. The Lotte Lenya soundalike tunes heard on the show are good as are the other cabaret-style songs. I'm not quite as taken with the Moka Efti material, though.
Having said that, I would be interested in a "Music Inspired by Babylon Berlin" release, especially since "Mir ist so Nacht Dir" was so memorably featured. A CD of late 1920s-early 1930s German jazz and "sweet" music would be nice--well, I'd like it.
I would be interested in a "Music Inspired by Babylon Berlin" release, especially since "Mir ist so Nacht Dir" was so memorably featured. A CD of late 1920s-early 1930s German jazz and "sweet" music would be nice--well, I'd like it.
I would be interested in a "Music Inspired by Babylon Berlin" release, especially since "Mir ist so Nacht Dir" was so memorably featured. A CD of late 1920s-early 1930s German jazz and "sweet" music would be nice--well, I'd like it.
You're in luck, the band assembled for the show has just released an album on their own.
Yes, but in the first part of my post I mentioned how I did not care for their music.
I was thinking more along the lines of actual late '20s-early '30s German jazz.
If anyone knows of such a compilation, I'm interested in your recommendations.
I haven't said anything here, cause I haven't anything to say yet (the show's on my list, just haven't gotten to it yet). But just want to point out I keep reading, and all this German Expression and related stuff from - 100 years ago! - is fascinating!
Wait, how did this get to be 100 years ago? It was just fifty years ago, when, um, I was fifty years younger....
That second compilation has been around for awhile on The 'Tube, but the echoey Noise Reduction is moider!
The Bryan Ferry Orchestra did a swellegant job of replicating that Noise Reduction groove, only without replicating the endless beating on my inner-ear tom-tom.
One has to be careful when purchasing old-time jazz. I prefer the surface noise of old records over the canned, muffled sound of Noise Reduction.
Yep, the Brian Ferry Orchestra stuff is just aces! But I've grown to tolerate a lotta that old timey sound. It was the only way I could immerse myself in the Quintette du Hot Club de France.
Yep, the Brian Ferry Orchestra stuff is just aces! But I've grown to tolerate a lotta that old timey sound. It was the only way I could immerse myself in the Quintette du Hot Club de France.
The Bryan Ferry Orchestra not only manages to evoke that late '20s-early '30s sound, they sound like no one else but themselves, which is "the key to all this" (to quote a once-great sci-fi fantasy visionary). I'm especially impressed with Ferry's trumpet and cornet player, a fellow named Enrico Tomasso (Rollo's brother, perhaps?). Tomasso has an instantly recognizable sound and I love his playing.
Besides, any band that can make a "Beyonce" tune swing can't be all that bad, can they?
Series 1 and 2 available for £23.53 at Amazon UK on region 2. I missed the series on Sky but will invest in this box set.
Gah! I already own 3 DVD players! Your post has me hovering over the button to buy a region-free model, which I will have to do if Babylon Berlin isn't released on R1 DVD.
Series 1 and 2 available for £23.53 at Amazon UK on region 2. I missed the series on Sky but will invest in this box set.
Gah! I already own 3 DVD players! Your post has me hovering over the button to buy a region-free model, which I will have to do if Babylon Berlin isn't released on R1 DVD.
It has never been released on R1 DVD, and I suspect it never will be.
You can watch British DVDs on your computer, no need to buy a new DVD player. That said, my regionless Blu-Ray player is a key possession, there are so many great films and TV shows that only come out overseas.
Until I get the DVDs and the region-free player, I'll have to be content with the music and whatever I can find on the show via YouTube. The soundtrack has been getting heavy play from me, as is volume 2 which I listen to on YouTube.
The soundtrack, including the Ferry Orchestra and selected German jazz and pop of the day I've put together, all serve as a "soundtrack" to my present German Expressionist art fixation. It's a fine way to immerse myself in the Babylon Berlin world, though I cannot wait to be able to sit down and properly watch this series.
