FRÅN STORSTAD TILL GRODSPAD

It's difficult to find out much info on this album so i'll just copy what Guldbamsen said. Okay that would be redundant I suppose but it's because of David that i'm finally able to hear this album. Released in 1971 it combines the talents of THE SWEDISH RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA with multi-instrumentalist Bjorn J : Son Lindh and his band. Now i've mentioned many times that I just don't like orchestral music mixed with Rock, there are not that many that have worked for me but this is certainly one of them. What an eclectic album though. And to think this was 1971 ! Man this really should be more well known as it's one of those lost classics.

"Musik Fran En Storstad" is the side long opening suite clocking in at almost 22 minutes. It's orchestral to start and it starts to build before 2 minutes, and this sounds really good after 2 1/2 minutes. A change 4 minutes in as we get back to more of an orchestral flavour once again. Drums after 5 1/2 minutes and the guitar joins in too as the orchestral sounds disappear. A change after 7 1/2 minutes as we get a calm with piano, flute and a beat. Another change 9 minutes in as we can hear samples of road noise and percussion of some sort. It turns haunting 11 minutes in followed by a beat as intricate sounds start to come and go. It's building as the orchestra joins in. It settles back 15 minutes in and it's still orchestral. It's haunting with a beat and bass before 16 minutes as orchestral sounds help out too. Great sound ! It kicks in at 19 minutes to an uptempo rock mode and the guitar starts to light it up.

"Tom Bohla 1971" is a short piece that consists of a crowd cheering throughout with orchestral sounds. "Grytnas Svaller" is uptempo and quite impressive with piano, drums and more. The guitar joins in too. So good. "Biezlov" is piano and guitar followed by drums and bass along with vocal melodies. "Den Dansande Wollmar" opens with strings and a beat. Cool sound. Horns join in followed by guitar then it settles to an orchestral mode but not for long. Great track ! "I Grodspadet" is the only vocals track and the singing is in Swedish. Piano and drums help out early then it turns orchestral when the vocals stop late. Amazing sound. "Stang Locket-Hon Fryser" opens with piano as intricate sounds help out. Drums before 3 minutes as it intensifies. "Tom Bohla" like the earlier named track is short but this time with laughter from the audience throughout instead of cheering.

4 stars for now but as i get to know this album better I can see that rating going up. A must ! And please read Guldbamsen's review as he describes the subject matter of this record so well.