SAGAN OM RINGEN [AKA: MUSIC INSPIRED BY LORD OF THE RINGS]

I saw that this album only had 2 reviews & thought I would add an additional one as I simply love this album. I came across it completely by accident in a record shop & was instantly taken by the LP cover - it is not as shown above (although my CD version is as above) instead it featured a winged Nazgul looking down over Orthanc (well at least that's what I took it to be!). As a 'Tolkien head', and although I had never heard of Bo Hansson at the time, I was immediately drawn to it on the grounds that if it had been inspired by LoTR - it had to be good.

However when I got it home & played it I have to admit I was initially disappointed as frankly nothing much appeared to be going on & the only time it picked up was the 'Flight to the Ford' track. However I persisted with it & after several play throughs I suddenly 'got it'. When you do 'get' this album you realise what fantastic moods Hansson has captured - he really does capture the atmosphere of middle earth - the mystery, the wonder & frankly the awfulness/hardship of what was going on. Whilst I like the music from the recent films I would wager money that JRR would have had this music in mind rather than the epic film stuff.

At first I thought the guitar work was a bit basic and the distorted notes in the 'horns of Rohan' didn't sound quite right - but as it sank in I understood it's genius - very simple ideas (usually the best!) worked together with the musicians many using traditional instruments overlayed with Bo's wonderfull organ playing. The last track - 'the grey havens' - is very moving & captures the lonliness of those left behind.

My rating is 4.5 stars, with the recomendation that you give it at least 5 play throughs