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

One of the most quintessential people in the formation of the prog scene in Sweden is definitely Bo Hansson, a very talented swedish keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist, which released, in 1972, a strong concept album, based on J.R.R Tolkien's classic trilogy "Lord Of The Rings" (Sagan om Ringen, in swedish). This was Hansson's discographic debut and at the time he generated some noise in the european rock scene, specially in his natal Sweden, were himself, and bands like Älgarnas Trådgard, Samla Mammas Manna, Kebnekaise and some other were the first ones playing progressive music there...

Musically, it is an album full of complex, majestic, orchestral and sometimes psychedelic arrangements, with a lot of fantasy, like Tolkien would love it, actually (IMO) it fits the atmosphere of "Lord of The Rings" a lot better than the actual movie soundtrack (of course sometimes he goes over the top with the psychedelic guitar playing). The Rhythm section is very strong and the Hammond Organ playing is beautiful (that might be the strongest point in the album)...

Beautiful instrumental early prog... For fans of Oldfield and, of course, Tolkien...