Locomotiv GT (album)
Encyclopedia
Locomotiv GT is the debut album of the Hungarian
rock group Locomotiv GT
. It was released in December 1971.
Compared to other Hungarian music albums of the time, the sound of Locomotiv GT was harder (most reminiscent of Éjszakai országút
, released by Omega in 1970), and with the exception of "Ezüst nyár", the album lacked so-called hits. That was the result of a conscious decision made by the group; they intended to play high-quality rock music resembling more to that of made by English and American groups. Unlike albums released by LGT in the second half of the 1970s
, the instrumentation of Locomotiv GT is somewhat simple, the saxophone
being the only "exotic" instrument. The music is built around the virtuoso guitar playing of Barta and the masterful organ playing of Presser; in addition, Frenreisz plays his bass more powerfully than most of his Hungarian peers. The style of the songs does not really fit in with the typical Hungarian pop music of the time; that is, it is more mature, although it cannot be called progressive rock
in the traditional sense. Improvisation
, showing the skills of the musicians, was employed more frequently in songs, such as "A Napba öltözött lány", "A tengelykezű félember", and "Hej, én szólok hozzád". The influence of American blues-rock
(in "Nem nekem való" and "Royal blues") and jazz
(in "Sose mondd a mamának") are also evident. The lyrics were written by Anna Adamis (wife of Laux), who provided lyrics to most Omega songs between 1968 and 1970.
Though not a huge success because of its experimental style, Locomotiv GT proved to be a promising debut; their second release, Ringasd el magad
, gained more popularity. In 1973 Locomotiv GT was issued in Argentina
by Qualiton
(not to be confused with the Hungarian label) in the form of a license album. Its cover art was different to the original Hungarian version, but the content was the same.
! Region
! Date
! Label
! Format
! Catalog
! Notes
|-
| Hungary
| 1971
| MHV
Pepita> stereo
LP
| SLPX 17435
|
|-
| Argentina
| 1973
| Qualiton
| SQH-2037
| Licensed album issued in Argentina.
|-
Hungary
| 1991
| Hungaroton Mega
| SLPM 37528 (91/M-003)
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
rock group Locomotiv GT
Locomotiv GT
Locomotiv GT is a Hungarian rock band formed in 1971. It has been one of the most influential rock bands in Hungarian rock music. GT in the name of the band refers to Gran Turismo, the long journey that the band was looking forward to when it was formed...
. It was released in December 1971.
Compared to other Hungarian music albums of the time, the sound of Locomotiv GT was harder (most reminiscent of Éjszakai országút
Éjszakai országút
Éjszakai országút is the third album of the Hungarian rockband Omega, released in 1970. It was the last band album with the keyboardist/vocalist Gábor Presser and drummer József Laux, which later created Locomotiv GT, more jazz-oriented band....
, released by Omega in 1970), and with the exception of "Ezüst nyár", the album lacked so-called hits. That was the result of a conscious decision made by the group; they intended to play high-quality rock music resembling more to that of made by English and American groups. Unlike albums released by LGT in the second half of the 1970s
1970s
File:1970s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: US President Richard Nixon doing the V for Victory sign after his resignation from office after the Watergate scandal in 1974; Refugees aboard a US naval boat after the Fall of Saigon, leading to the end of the Vietnam War in 1975; The 1973 oil...
, the instrumentation of Locomotiv GT is somewhat simple, the saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
being the only "exotic" instrument. The music is built around the virtuoso guitar playing of Barta and the masterful organ playing of Presser; in addition, Frenreisz plays his bass more powerfully than most of his Hungarian peers. The style of the songs does not really fit in with the typical Hungarian pop music of the time; that is, it is more mature, although it cannot be called progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
in the traditional sense. Improvisation
Improvisation
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or...
, showing the skills of the musicians, was employed more frequently in songs, such as "A Napba öltözött lány", "A tengelykezű félember", and "Hej, én szólok hozzád". The influence of American blues-rock
Blues-rock
Blues rock is a hybrid musical genre combining bluesy improvisations over the 12-bar blues and extended boogie jams with rock and roll styles. The core of the blues rock sound is created by the electric guitar, piano, bass guitar and drum kit, with the electric guitar usually amplified through a...
(in "Nem nekem való" and "Royal blues") and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
(in "Sose mondd a mamának") are also evident. The lyrics were written by Anna Adamis (wife of Laux), who provided lyrics to most Omega songs between 1968 and 1970.
Though not a huge success because of its experimental style, Locomotiv GT proved to be a promising debut; their second release, Ringasd el magad
Ringasd el magad
In 1972 Ringasd el magad, the second album of Hungarian rock group Locomotiv GT was released. Its instrumentation was worked out and rehearsed in Budapest, the album was recorded at MHV Studios also in the Hungarian capital, whereas the running order was put together by the band at a restaurant on...
, gained more popularity. In 1973 Locomotiv GT was issued in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
by Qualiton
Discos Qualiton
Discos Qualiton was a record label, published by the extinct recording studio Fonema S.A. A garage experiment born in Rosario, Argentina in 1961, Qualiton would later became a major independent project influencing a generation of artists, writers, musicians, poets and filmmakers.- Early days :The...
(not to be confused with the Hungarian label) in the form of a license album. Its cover art was different to the original Hungarian version, but the content was the same.
Side One
- "Egy dal azokért, akik nincsenek itt" (Gábor Presser, Anna Adamis) – 5:04
- "A Napba öltözött lány" (Károly Frenreisz, Adamis) – 4:54
- "A kötéltáncos álma" (Tamás Barta, Adamis) – 3:33
- "A tengelykezű félember" (Presser, Adamis) – 4:24
- "Hej, én szólok hozzád" (Presser, Adamis) – 5:45
Side Two
- "Ezüst nyár" (Presser, Adamis) – 3:03
- "Ordító arcok" (Barta, Adamis) – 4:17
- "Sose mondd a mamának" (Frenreisz, Adamis) – 3:49
- "Nem nekem való" (Frenreisz, Adamis) – 4:41
- "Royal blues (Gipszeld be a kezed)" (Barta, Adamis) – 3:06
Personnel
- Tamás Barta – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s - Károly Frenreisz – vocals, FenderFender Jazz BassThe Jazz Bass was the second model of electric bass created by Leo Fender. The bass is distinct from the Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange and treble with less emphasis on the fundamental harmonic...
bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, soprano saxophoneSoprano saxophoneThe soprano saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument, invented in 1840. The soprano is the third smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists of the soprillo, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass and tubax.A transposing instrument pitched in...
, tenor saxophoneTenor saxophoneThe tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
, fluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, guitar - József Laux – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... - Gábor Presser – vocals, organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, vibraphoneVibraphoneThe vibraphone, sometimes called the vibraharp or simply the vibes, is a musical instrument in the struck idiophone subfamily of the percussion family.... - Anna Adamis – lyrics
Production
- Attila Fülöp – engineer
- Dóra Antal – executive producer
- Tamás Féner – photos
- Miklós Mester – cover art
Release history
! Date
! Label
! Format
! Catalog
! Notes
|-
| Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
| 1971
| MHV
Hungaroton
Hungaroton was the one and only record and music publisher company in Hungary for about 40 years.Hungaroton was founded in 1951, since then, its only competitors in the Hungarian music market were record labels like Melodiya, Supraphon and Eterna from other socialist countries. Previously called...
Pepita>
Stereophonic sound
The term Stereophonic, commonly called stereo, sound refers to any method of sound reproduction in which an attempt is made to create an illusion of directionality and audible perspective...
LP
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
| SLPX 17435
|
|-
| Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
| 1973
| Qualiton
Discos Qualiton
Discos Qualiton was a record label, published by the extinct recording studio Fonema S.A. A garage experiment born in Rosario, Argentina in 1961, Qualiton would later became a major independent project influencing a generation of artists, writers, musicians, poets and filmmakers.- Early days :The...
| SQH-2037
| Licensed album issued in Argentina.
|-
| 1991
| Hungaroton Mega
| SLPM 37528 (91/M-003)