Carol of Harvest

Carol of Harvest was a German symphonic-folk band that released a 1978 self-titled album on Brutkasten.

Members: Axel Schmierer (composer, guitar, keyboards, programming), Beate Krause (vocals, 1976-78), Jürgen Kolb (keyboards, 1976-78), Heinz Reinschlüssel (bass, 1976-78), Robert Högn (drums, 1976-78), Ewa Grams (vocals, 2007-present)

Background

Carol of Harvest hailed from Fürth, where teenage songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Axel Schmierer teamed with bassist Heinz Reinschlüssel and drummer Robert Högn. Heinz invited singer Beate Krause, then aged 16. The took their name from the 1867 poem “A Carol of Harvest” by Walt Whitman.

The Album

Carol of Harvest released their singular album in 1978 on Brutkasten Records.

The album contains two short tracks (“You and Me,” “Treary Eyes”) and two epics: “Somewhere at the End of Our Rainbow” and “Try a Little Bit.” Side A features “Put On Your Nightcap,” a 16-minute opus. 

Musically, Carol of Harvest treads symphonic-folk territory akin to Illusion and Harlequin Mass.

They co-produced the album with Brutkasten head Peter Klimek, whose label issued concurrent titles by Gebärväterli, Black Spirit, and P₂O₅.

In 2001, archivists Second Battle reissued Carol of Harvest with three bonus tracks. The title has since reappeared multiple time (vinyl and CD) on the reissue labels Guerssen, Garden of Delights, and elayas. In 2009, the band regrouped for the disc Ty I Ja on Guma Records.

Discography:

• Carol of Harvest (1978)

Sources:

• Discogs: Carol of Harvest