The legendary SWF (German regional radio from Baden-Baden) radio sessions from 1970–1975 were, for a long time, considered lost. Now after extensive searching through the archives they have been recovered and remastered to their original glory. These tapes are a "must" for Progressive Music and Krautrock fans.

Originally the sessions were broadcast as part of an SWF talent search for up and coming bands organised by Walther Krause. The bands were invited into the studio and the results were broadcast in the popular and now sadly missed shows "STARS AND HITS" and "POPSHOP". Unmissable for Prog- and Krautrock fans. Some of the "unknown" bands that took part in the sessions were KRAAN, MY SOLID GROUND AND CURLY CURVE. Other less known bands became their first chance to play in a "real" studio and prove that they were as good, if not even better, than their contemporaries. These long lost tapes form the basis for a new series for LONG HAIR and will also reflect SWF's pioneer work with young unsigned bands over this period.

Volume 1 presents the band JUD'S GALLERY from Offenburg (South-West Germany). JUD'S GALLERY recorded 9 songs over two SWF sessions (28.07.1972 an 29.03.1974). These songs have been digitally remastered from the original tapes to perfect studio quality.

JUD'S GALLERY were formed in 1971 by Jürgen "Judy" Winter. The only other founding member at the sessions was Peter Oehler who had been playing with Judy in other guises before. These two enthusiatic perfectionists were accompanied for the first session by Hannes Gremminger, Herbert Brandmeyer and singer Elly Lapp who left the band shortly afterwards. SWF presenter Hans-Jürgen Kiebenstein was instrumental in inviting the band to Studio U 1 in Baden-Baden for a session without any overdubbing or re-recording, no easy task for a band who's average age was at the time a mere 21.

The sessions opened up a hitherto unknown world for JUD'S GALLERY of concerts outside of their native Offenbach and surrounding area. Support slots with internationally renowned bands such as Steamhammer, Pretty things, Beggar's Opera, Ekseption and Alexis Korner followed and also a German tour with Golden Earring. After this JUD'S GALLERY were ready for their own headlining tour including Festivals and gigs in and around the French border.

At a festival in southern Germany  the band was approached by Roland Schaeffer (Fashion Pink, Brainstorm, Guru Guru) who was working as a producer for SWF at the time. He invited the band for their second SWF session. The band recorded 4 songs, including the 12 minute version of Nordrach, with the line-up of Jürgen "Judy" Winter, Peter Oehler, Clem Winterhalter and Sibi Siebert. After this session it was only a question of time before Jud's Gallery released an LP. Contacts to Achim Reichel's label "Gorilla Music" were made and shortly before they went into a studio the band broke up due to economic hardship and musical differences.

Despite this and thanks to the excellent radio sessions we can relive a fantastic time of enthusiasm and hope from this brilliant band that deserved more at the time.

After Jud's Gallery Judy Winter moved to the Rhineland and in 1976 formed Winterkrieg with former Sperrmüll member Helmut Krieg. Peter Oehler played in a few bands and is now head of music at Radio Ohr in Offenburg. 

Manfred Steinheuer, March 2000

Thanks to: Jürgen Winter, Erek Gaudian, Gregor Glöckner, SWR-Media GmbH,  shapefruit AG, Winfried Schuld, Christiane, Willi, Paul.

JUD'S GALLERY "SWF Session Vol. 1"

INSPIRATION 04:36
DANGER OF SHOOT (early version) 04:47
FOLLOW ME 11:14
FRIENDS 05:15
CATCH THE FLY 08:00
REACHING 06:00
DANGER OF SHOOT (real version) 08:10
NORDRACH 12:00
WHITE WOMAN 04:10