Jan Johansson "Jazz på svenska" (1964)

Jazz på svenska

release date: 1964 (HELP-030)

format: vinyl (2013 reissue)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,16]

producer: (rec. by Oluf Swembel)

label: Heptagon Records - nationality: Sweden

Studio album by Jan Johansson originally released on Swedish label Megafon is Johansson's third album and it's no less than the best sold Swedish jazz album ever. The album consists Johansson's arrangements of Swedish folk songs, which are characterised by minimalist instrumentation with Johansson on piano accompanied by Georg Ridel on double bass. The abum count twelve compositions with a total playing time of approx. 34 minutes. The 2013 vinyl reissue is based on remastering of the original tape recordings and have been made by Jens and Anders Johansson, who are also founders of Heptagon Records and sons of legendary Jan Johansson.

This album is a must-have in any collection of jazz, and if you think Getz / Gilberto is one of the best jazz albums from '64, you really need to know this one.

Lisa Gerrard "The Silver Tree" (2006)

The Silver Tree

release date: Dec. 5, 2006

format: digital (14 x File, FLAC - 2007 reissue)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,88]

producer: David Badrick & Lisa Gerrard

label: Rubber Records - nationality: Australia

Track highlights: 1. "In Exile" - 2. "Shadow Hunter" - 4. "The Sea Whisperer" - 6. "Space Weaver" - 8. "Serenity" - 10. "Towards the Tower" - 12. "Devotion"

2nd solo album by Australian artist Lisa Gerrard follows more than a decade after her solo debut The Mirror Pool (Aug. 1995). This doesn't by any means suggest that Gerrard isn't a highly productive artist. She often releases music with collaborating artists, and she has made a golden career from her engagements as soundtrack composer. In '96 she released a so far final studio album, Spiritchaser with the duo-project Dead Can Dance (together with Brendan Perry). In '98 she released the collaboration album Duality with Pieter Bourke, and also with Bourke, she made the soundtrack to Michael Mann's The Insider (1999), the soundtrack to Ridley Scott's The Gladiator (2000) composed with Hans Zimmer - an accomplishment that sky-rocketed her composer value - and again with Bourke she composed the soundtrack to the biographical sports drama Ali (2001), the soundtrack to Whalerider (2003), the collaboration album Immortal Memory together with Patrick Cassidy (2004), and the soundtrack Salem's Lot (2004) with Christopher Gordon to a TV-series. And it doesn't stop with this, as Gerrard has also delivered compositions and vocals to songs appearing on various other releases including TV-series, movies, documentaries and as performing guest on other artists' releases.

Lisa Gerrard works on a classical arena with trained classical intrumentalists and composers, but she also works with artists from a "popular" music culture, the experimental electronic music scene and often on music labeled as neo-classical. On top of this, Gerrard has made it her trademark to blend national folklore from various parts of the world, and not seldom you will find traces of music inspired by traditional folk from the Balkan area - sometimes incorporating tones from an Arabian / Middle East tradition - all brought together in an original colourful blend with her timeless ethereal signature. She has become an acclaimed vocalist with a vocal range of three octaves, and when performing her own songs, she often sings in her own made-up language, sometimes referred to as 'glossolalia'.

The Silver Tree was nominated the Best Album Prize at the Australian Music Awards in 2006, and it may be an album that brings many of her former releases to mind, but it's not a matter of picking bits and pieces from her past and mixing it all together anew. It's more the result of a skilled artist's inspiration overflown with her quality trademarks that makes it a highly original album. It's both electronic, ambient and neo-classical, and not necessarily styles that are present in all 14 compositions. As in styles, the songs vary in tempo, in cadence, in mood but it's all cleverly woven together with Gerrard's delicate touch - be it in the arrangements of the single composition or in the tone of her singing voice. The tracks also vary in running times with the shortest playing for only 1½ minute and the longest for more than 10 minutes. In between there's nearly everything. It may be based on electronic rhythm beats, on hymn-like ambience, or progressive darkwave, but still it remarkably works as a coherent release.

I've always fancied the music with Gerrard's partecipation and it never ceases to amase me, and it always reminds me, what an absolute great artist she is! She has been awarded many prizes for her work, but in my mind, she is way to overlooked an artist and deserves much more recognition - as composer, as vocalist, and as performing artist.

Highly recommended!

Nanna Bech "I Could Kill You in a Thousand Ways" (2018)

I Could Kill You in a Thousand Ways [debut]

release date: Nov. 16, 2018

format: vinyl

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,64]

producer: ? (rec. by Dennis Ahlgren)

label: self-released - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: A) 1. "Never Quiet" - 2. "Lips" (live session) - 3. "One Day" - 4. "The Fool" - - B) 1. "Traffic Light" (Radio Edit) - 2. "The Town" - 3. "I Could Kill You in a Thousand Ways" - 4. "Still Here" - 5. "Lost"

Studio album debut by Danish musician Nanna Bech is a self-released album with nine compositions written, and composed by Bech and co-arranged with Dennis Ahlgren, who also contributes on guitar, bass, synths, and percussion. Aside from singing, Bech also handles piano and ukulele parts.

Musically, it's in a quieter corner of indie pop with strong influences from folk, Nordic folklore, and it could also come with a sticker labelling it as neofolk.

Bech has a delicate singing voice, which adds a destinct quality to all songs, and the arrangements are made with an ear for rhythm and melody, which allows for Bech's funny and story-telling lyrics to stand out on their own terms. The songs have a common theme of the macabre but the stories are wrapped up in serene colours, in softness, and with a lightness that all function as deliberate oppposites showing you a wink as an invitation for a smile. Frankly, I don't think this album comes with any fillers, and to pick the highlights is more than ordinarily hard, and instead of handing the listener with an album of hit song potential, it's really the whole package and the uplifting state it may settle you in that ensures this as a succesful and most recommended debut.

Now, having heard Nanna Bech live, I only wish she would grant us with more of her talent, and perhaps issue an album of songs with lyrics in Danish.

[ Gaffa.dk, Gfrock.dk 4 / 6 stars ]

Peter Bastian "Bastians Ballader" (2016)

Bastians Ballader
release date: Jun. 1, 2016
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,40]
producer: Peter Bastian
label: non label release - nationality: Denmark

[ PB about the album & Nikola Jankov - PB about the musicians on the album - short clip ]

Studio album by Danish clarinettist (the late) Peter Bastian is a self-realised album containing Bastian's own interpretations of Balkan music. His decision to make the album was made in the aftermath of being diagnosed with acute leukaemia in 2014. As he states about the album on his homepage (www.peterbastian.dk) "Main focus is on the tragic Bulgarian wedding ballad, but I have also chosen to play some Romanian Doinas and a Turkish Taksim. Some Danish and Norwegian folklore have also found their way [to the album]." The songs are inspired by original folk songs, but all arrangements are credited Bastian and his two Norwegian associates on the album: Gabriel Fliflet on accordion and Olav Tveitane on double bass, acoustic guitar, and cittern.
The story of the musical fascination of Peter Bastian is forever bound in modern Danish music - be it classical, jazz or folk. Although, Balkan folklore really isn't what I prefer to listen to, I simply adore this album. Through many years I have read books by and listened to Bastian - his deep insight in philosophy and music history and theory on many occasions. I have listened to the music by the jazz fusion and world band Bazaar of which he was a founding and long time member, and I have always admired his mission and ability to make difficult matters appear easier to understand.
Bastian's long time friendship with legendary Hungarian (master) clarinettist Nikola Jankov is all over this album. It's an album with a strong love for traditional folk music, and Bastian is a supreme instrumentalist. I mean, I never found the clarinet appealing in any way, but his passion and sense for sonic perfection captures my musical interest and love for music on a scale like the music by Mozart, Beethoven or Puccini.
Although, not a favourite genre, I still find this highly recommendable.

[ Peter Bastian plays on straw ]

Sofia Karlsson "Svarta ballader (Sjunger Dan Andersson)" (2005)

Svarta ballader (Sjunger Dan Andersson)
release date: Feb. 12, 2005
format: cd (AMCD 756)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,62]
producer: Göran Petersson, Sigge Krantz & Sofia Karlsson
label: Amigo Musik - nationality: Sweden

2nd studio album by Swedish folk artist Sofia Karlsson is the collection of poems by Swedish poet Dan Andersson (1888-1920) - except track #10, written by Charles Baudelaire and translated by Andersson. All songs have musical arrangements by Karlsson.
The album falls close to her debut album with its older lyrical matter, although, the music seems more contemporary folk-founded.
Svarta ballader was Karlsson national breakthrough album - peaking at number #6 on the Swedish album charts list, which is a quite high position for a rather quiet folk-oriented release, and the album was met by critical acclaim and Karlsson was nominated and also won several prizes with the album.
Despite its quiet and rather simple compositions and arrangements, the album is a warm and fine release of traditional Swedish folk.

Sofia Karlsson "Folk Songs" (2002)

Folk Songs [debut]
release date: 2002
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,82]
producer: Göran Peterson, Sofia Karlsson
label: Amigo Musik - nationality: Sweden

Studio album debut by Swedish Nordic folk and folklore singer Sofia Karlsson who took part in the two Swedish folk bands Eter (on its only album from '98) and the music collective Groupa (from 1998-2002).
The music on Folk Songs seem much alike the music she has been engaged in with her two bands. Except from one song, they are all traditional Nordic folk music compositions re-arranged for the album with the use of traditional instrumentation.
It's mostly rather quiet music and they don't reflect a huge variety. The strongest asset here is undoubtedly Karlssons warm and beautiful singing voice.

Kåre Mörkestöl og Egil Syvertsen "Til gitar, Hammondorgel og trommer" (1964) (ep)

Til gitar, Hammondorgel og trommer, 7'' ep

release date: 1964

format: vinyl (HEP 206)

[album rate: 2 / 5] [1,88]

producer: ?

label: Harmoni - Norsk Grammofonkompani a/s - nationality: Norway

Tracklist: A) 1. "Herligheten ventar" - 2. "Du spør om min lykke" - - B) 1. "Jobs gud er trofast" - 2. "Min store gud"

Ep release by Norwegian Christian hymns duo, guitarist Kåre Mörkestol & pianist Egil Syvertsen - on the front cover with Mörkestöl on the left. All four songs are all strongly Christian-founded folk and gospel songs with the addition of some country style to it.

This is one of two eps by the duo from my parents' record collection - the other being even stronger folklore and hymn-like. I knew of this from age 6-10 but I never really enjoyed it that much, but still found it slightly bettering the '63 release by the duo - there's simply to much religious content to it but also of little interest as it's styled as hymns, folklore, and gospel.

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This post is part of MyMusicJourney, which enlists key releases that have shaped my musical taste when growing up and until age 14. Most of these releases come from my parents' and / or my older brother's collection.

Kåre Mörkestöl og Egil Syvertsen "Synger til gitarer og Hammondorgel" (1963) (ep)

Synger til gitarer og Hammondorgel, 7'' ep

release date: 1963?

format: vinyl (HEP 198)

[album rate: 1,5 / 5] [1,35]

producer: ?

label: Harmoni - Norsk Grammofonkompani a/s - nationality: Norway

Tracklist: A) 1. "Når Jesus kommer" - 2. "Lengselsfullt skuer jeg opp mot det høye" - - B) 1. "Velg ham din frelser" - 2. "Han er min"

Ep release by Norwegian Christian performer-duo guitarist Kåre Mörkestol & pianist Egil Syvertsen - sometimes credited with reversed names as on this release, perhaps simple because Syvertsen is on the left. All four songs are all strongly Christian-founded folk and gospel hymns.

This single was part of my parents' record collection, and it's a single I knew of at age 6-10 but never really enjoyed - both because of the strong religious theme and by the fact that it's styled as hymns, folklore, and gospel. There's no indication of year release but gven the fact that I own another release by the duo, released in '64 and with higher issue number on the same label, it's likely that this item was released at some point earlier. It could be earlier in the same year, though. However, the other issue by the duo is in a more folk-shaped style of the same religious hymns but with a stronger country style to it, which could suggest that this release is from a somewhat earlier stage, which also is stressed by the cover photos. And speaking of photographs, as a kid, I found that the photo of Syvertsen (here at the far left) very much ressembles early photos of my father - or, at least the same hair style.

Another curiosity about this item, is the blue pen strokes in the top right corner indicating '13' on the front cover. I admit that was me at say 8-10 years old. Sitting in our basement with a friend of mine, we played some of my parents' 7'' vinyl releases on a travel turntable model and then we would rank what we had listened to and I put our common verdict on the sleeve - this ending in 13th spot. I don't know if that was the highest number but close to 'cause it never was one of our favourites, although we did hear it to the end.

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This post is part of MyMusicJourney, which enlists key releases that have shaped my musical taste when growing up and until age 14. Most of these releases come from my parents' and / or my older brother's collection.