VIANDRA

3.5 stars. Lars Hollmer will need no introduction to RIO fans out there, considering he was a founding member of Sweden's own SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA, and part of the various off shoots of that band. He had a nice solo career as well, and part of that was his LOOPING HOME ORCHESTRA project I quite enjoyed. This was indeed his final album before passing of cancer in December of 2008. He was diagnosed with severe lung cancer in May of that year. This album was released in 2008 but recorded and mixed between 2001 and 2007.

There are some guests on here like Michel Berckmans on bassoons, english horn and oboe. Next to Lars playing mostly accordion, keyboards, melodica and more, Berckmans is next in line with his performances. Santiago Jimenez adds violin and Andreas Tenberg adds cello, and they both also play throughout this 50 minute album along with Michel and Lars. We do get some guests on single tracks like Morgan Agren on drums, Coste Aptrea on mandolin and Ulf Wallander on tenor sax. Hollmer has three of his grandchildren singing on one song while one of those also sings on the track "Alice".

Having his grandchildren on here, and including on the front and back cover art an inside look at the Chickenhouse which was the studio where Lars lived was sentimental. It's been a long time since I've been so fascinated with an album cover, plus the back when you open it up. All the pictures and items on the walls, the instruments, people etc. just so much to take in. Combine that with the top half of the pictures where we get such a contrast. I mean it couldn't be more perfect. Easily in my top ten of favourite album covers. Then when you open the liner notes and see the two panel picture of the Chickenhouse from outside on a blistering cold morning. Just so reflective and nostalgic, like Lars knew his time was coming to an end.

We get 16 tracks of mostly accordion led music, and this is a melancholic record, so sad a times. Especially that closer that tugs on my emotions with the strings dominating. And while I feel that this is a special album considering the circumstances, the music here is 3 stars in my world. My top two are the back to back "Paztema" and "Prozesscirk". The first mentioned is the first track that I really liked. And a lot of that has to do with the tenor sax from Wallander who I remember from guesting on some of those THE FLOWER KING records. The next song is a little different too with the strings, bassoon and piano leading the way. "Snab"(Fast) is the one with Morgan adding some beats plus this one is brighter and more uptempo than the rest. Lots of piano. "Alice" is somewhat happy with vocals that blend in with the music and mandolin from SAMLA's guitarist Coste Aptrea, and lots of accordion.

This will be going with my 4 star cds because of the pictures and sentiment, despite the fact I'm not that into the music. By the way the Chickenhouse was where bands like VON ZAMLA, SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA and ZAMLA MAMMAZ MANNA recorded their albums but also MIRIODOR recorded some of their "Parade" album there. And I have no doubt that was a thrill for them, being big fans of these Swedish bands I mentioned.