This band's 1965 ddbul "At The Club" is highly rated by collectors of Swedish 60's beat. Kenny Håkansson joined for the band’s sophomore effort and by the time the third single "I Want You" was recorded - in August 1967 - the band had become a psychedelic trio consisting of Håkansson, Ekman and Malmberg. The latter quit soon after and was replaced by Bella Linnarsson of comedy band Gårunt Show. At the same time the band changed its name to Baby Grandmothers, before evolving into Mecki Mark Men and finally becoming Kebnekajse in 1971. Göran Malmberg went on to become a much respected builder of guitars and speaker cabinets and also played on Peps Persson's first album along with Ekman.
| 1967 | ■ | I Want You / Mr James (S) | Decca F 44533 | ★★★★★★★★8 |
Tages released their first record in 1964 and soon were the main contenders for The Hep Stars as kings of the Swedish pop scene. Their fifth album, Studio, is generally regarded as the Swedish answer to Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band but where The Beatles looked to India for inspiration, Tages explored the traditional folk music of Dalarna for a unique Swedish version of psychedelia. With this, they paved the way for future Movement bands like Kebnekajse, which incidentally included Tages' own Göran Lagerberg. Three high quality singles followed before the band changed their name to Blond in the summer of 1969, having completed the sessions for their sixth album, The Lilac Years. Lagerberg was later a member of Heta Linjen and Egba and also played sessions for numerous other artists in this book.
| 1967 | ■ | Studio | Parlophone PMCS316 | ★★★★★★6 |
| 1968 | ■ | There's A Blind Man Playin' Fiddle In The Street / Like A Woman (S) | Parlophone SD 6024 | ★★★★★5 |
| 1968 | ■ | There's A Blind Man Playin' Fiddle In The Street / Like A Woman (S) (Danish release) | Parlophone SD 6024 | ★★★★★5 |
| 1968 | ■ | There's A Blind Man Playin' Fiddle In The Street / Like A Woman (S) (Norwegian release) | Parlophone SD 6024 | ★★★★★5 |
| 1968 | ● | There’s A Blind Man Playin' Fiddle In The Street / Like A Woman (S) (UK release) | Parlophone SD 6024 | ★★★★4 |
| 1968 | ■ | Fantasy Island / To be Free (S) | Parlophone SD 6036 | ★★★★★5 |
| 1968 | ■ | I Read You Like An Open Book / Halcyon Days (S) | Parlophone SD 6054 | ★★★★★5 |
| 1968 | ● | Halcyon Days / I Read You Like An Open Book (S) (UK release) | MGM 1443 | ★★★★4 |
| 1968 | ● | Halcyon Days / I Read You Like An Open Book (S) (US release) | Verve VK 10626 | ★★★★4 |
| 1969 | ■ | Good Old Tages (Compilation) | Odeon 054-34002 | ★★★★★★6 |
| 1974 | ■ | Favoritter (Danish compilation) | EMI 054-35159 | ★★★★★5 |
Taste Of Blues was formed in Malmö in 1967. American singer Don Washington replaced Stridsberg in time for the recording of Schizofrenia. The psychedelic title track takes up the entire first side of the album and features creative guitar work from Rolf Fredenberg. The other highlight is the more structured "Another Man's Mind". The band broke up soon after the album’s release and Claes Ericsson and Patrik Erixson went on to form Asoka. Schitzofrenia was re-issued on vinyl in 1992 by the Garageland label. Two tracks recorded in 1968 with original singer Anders Stridsberg were included as bonus tracks on the 2005 CD release of Asoka's album.
| 1969 | ■ | Schizofrenia | SSR LP501 | ★★★★★★★★★9 |
See Sogmusobil
See also Compilations
Lasse Tennander started out as a songwriter and folk trio Wayfarers recorded five of his English songs for their 1967 album On The Way. He also wrote Swedish lyrics for UK hits like "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" and "Magic Bus", both recorded by Telstars. In 1969 Tennander translated most of the songs from Pugh's first album into English. But they were never recorded, only printed on the back cover of the American release of the album. Tennander then hooked up with Peter Lundblad and co-wrote most of the material for his group Nailband, as well as Lundblad's later solo albums. Together they then formed the band Duga, which evolved into Figaro when Tennander went solo. His first two albums featured backing from his former bandmates and the title track from Alla är vi barn i början made Lasse Tennander a household name. His music fit well in the Movement and he also worked for SAM-Distribution and wrote for Movement magazine Musikens Makt. His last 70's album Längst därinne är himlen ändå röd featured backing from prominent musicians like Lasse Englund, Rolf Wikström and Stefan Nilsson (Kornet). Lasse Tennander has continued to release a number of albums and is still going strong.
| 1974 | ■ | Lars Vegas | Midnight Sun EFG-5014075 | ★★2 |
| 1976 | ■ | Alla är vi barn i början | Oktober OSLP511 | ★1 |
| 1978 | ■ | På jakt | Sonet SLP2612 | ★1 |
| 1978 | ■ | På jakt * | Sonet SLP2612 | ★1 |
| 1978 | ● | Jag är också med barn / För gammal för rock men för ung för att dö (S) | Sonet T-7949 | ★1 |
| 1979 | ■ | Längst därinne är himlen ändå röd | Sonet SLP-2638 | ★1 |
| 1979 | ● | Med revade segel / Lyssna lyssna Lisa (S) | Sonet T-7978 | ★1 |
See also Compilations
This Gothenburg band expressed itself in many musical styles, from rock and jazz to cabaret and traditional Swedish music. By the time of the second album, the Blåkulla rhythm section of Råstam and Olsson had joined the band. The Swedish-language lyrics have a left-wing profile. Several members of the band went on to play with Musikteatergruppen Oktober and Magnus Nilsson still writes their plays. He also had success with the 1987 TV-series Clark Kent about an aging rock band, which he both wrote and starred in.
| 1976 | ■ | Jaguaren | Nacksving 031-6 | ★★2 |
| 1977 | ■ | Stäng inte dörren... | Nacksving 031-13 | ★★2 |
Kenneth Thorstensson was 22 when he recorded this solo album of self-penned old-time folk songs, sung in a Värmland accent. Backing him on the album were members of Opponer and Södra Bergens Balalaikor. Thorstensson went on to form Arvika Gammeldansorkester.
| 1976 | ■ | Ack Värmland | Oktober OSLP515 | ★★2 |
This Christian band came from Floda outside Gothenburg and released one folk album with plentiful vocal harmonies. It also features some fuzz guitar leads from Vatten's axeman Tomas Ernvik. Most of the songs were written by Bosse Lindqvist.
| 1976 | ■ | Tillsammans | Kompass LPN 7601 | ★★2 |
This giant project was two years in the making and was masterminded by Greg FitzPatrick. It featured several songs written for his fomer band Handgjort. The difference being no Indian instruments were used this time. The music is oriented toward traditional folk music, but with a progressive twist. Christian Diesen, who would go on to a career as a criminal law professor, co-wrote the lyrics with FitzPatrick. Other core contributors were Rick Mitchell and Stefan Nylander. Also participating were members of Kebnekajse, Atlantic Ocean, Jasons Fleece, Fläsket Brinner, Arbete & Fritid and Södra Bergens Balaikor as well as solo artists like Mikael Ramel, Jan Hammarlund and Lena Ekman.
| 1973 | ■ | Tillsammans | Silence SRS 4617 | ★★★3 |
After the success of the feminist project Sånger Om Kvinnor - where the music was, actually, written and played by men - MNW's Gunilla Thorgren initiated this sequel where women would do it all themselves. Feminist groups around the country were contacted and about twenty women recorded the album, Livmoder i strängarna, in two weeks. Most of the participants were amateurs, but Turid and Hélène Bohman of Stenblomma had previously released albums on the Silence label. Other prominent participants were Lena Ekman and Anita Livstrand. The result is varied since almost every song has different musicians, instrumentation and arrangements but it is basically folk music with good Swedish-language feminist lyrics.
| 1974 | ■ | Livmoder i strängarna | MNW 48P | ★★2 |
This heavy rock trio from Göteborg released one single with political Swedish-language lyrics, much in the vein of Crut and Högtryck.
| 1979 | ■ | Samma batonger / Morgontankar (S) | MRM Records HRM 1-001 | ★★★★4 |
This band was formed by Fridén and Lundquist in the affluent Stockholm suburb Saltsjöbaden in 1970. Olle Thörnvall was one of the original members but soon quit playing and instead became the band's lyricist. The recording line-up was completed when Austrian born singer Robert Zima joined a year later, followed by guitarist Åkerberg. The eponymous début presents high calibre progressive music, delivered with incredible energy. From the blistering guitars on the opener "Kaledoniska orogenesen" to the intricate grand finale "Handlingens skugga", the energy, atmosphere and power of the music is performed with great accuracy. The band's second album Krigssång is a bit more subtle and melancholic, but still powerful and energetic. The band then signed with the Mistlur label and added keyboardist Mats Lindberg. They now became more or less a commercial band, but still with a progressive edge. By the time the fifth and last album was released in 1981, the band had shortened its name to Kriget. The Mellotronen label has released several CD’s by the band, including the archive releases "War Memories" and "Glorious War", featuring previously unreleased material from the early years. In 2003 the band recorded the Eiden av år album featuring new material. Before moving to Sweden in 1966, Robert Zima had been a member of the world-famous choir Wiener Sängerknaben.
| 1974 | ■ | Trettioåriga Kriget | Epic EPC 80220 | ★★★★★★6 |
| 1975 | ■ | Krigssång | CBS 80900 | ★★★★★5 |
| 1978 | ■ | Hej på er! | Mistlur MLR-4 | ★★2 |
| 1978 | ■ | Rockgift / Hej på er (S) | Mistlur MLR-4S | ★1 |
| 1979 | ■ | Mot alia odds | Mistlur MLR-9 | ★★2 |
This band reached the 1966 semi-finals of the nationwide talent contest Sveriges Radios Popbandstävling and then signed with Philips. Of special interest is the inventive treatment of "I bergakungens sal" [In The Hall Of The Mountain King], composed by Edvard Grieg in the 1870's. Anders Nordh and Paul Sundlin would later play together in King George Discovery, Life, Resan and Figaro. Dan Ahlquist went on to become a record sleeve designer.
| 1967 | ■ | Alone / To My Second Home (S) | Philips 350 317 PF | ★★★★★★★7 |
| 1967 | ■ | I bergakungens sal / Lover (S) | Philips 350 329 PF | ★★★★★★★7 |
See also Compilations
Previously known as Pärson Sound, International Harvester and Harvester, these Movement pioneers became Träd, Gräs Och Stenar upon Thomas Tidholm's departure. The original organic mind-bending approach was mostly left intact and the first album, recorded in March 1970, displays rural psychedelic rock with a Swedish twist. It includes the classic "Sanningens silverflod" as well as lengthy versions of "All Along The Watchtower" and "Satisfaction", played in their unique style. The band left Stockholm in 1971 to live in Värmland's countryside as an anti-imperialist statement. By that time, guitarist Jakob Sjöholm had joined the group. Rock för kropp och själ featured a studio version of crowd-favourite "In kommer Gösta" by Philemon Arthur & The Dung. The 22 minute title track was recorded live by Per Odeltorp. At the time he went by the name Per Gud and later found fame as Stig Vig (Dag Vag). He also released two more albums of 1971-1972 live recordings by the band on his Tall label, both have been reissued on CD. Träd, Gräs och Stenar disbanded in July 1972. All members except Eriksson reunited with Tidholm as the Hot Boys in 1974 and the previous year had seen most of the band appearing on Stenblomma's album. Thomas Mera Gartz made a few solo albums and also played with Abelli in Arbete & Fritid and Archimedes Badkar, while Jacob Sjöholm formed Jajja Band. Träd, Gräs Och Stenar reformed in 1979 - first only sporadically, from the mid-90's they played more regularly. The band is still going strong and in 2002 made the Ajn Schvajn Draj album. It was followed by tours all over Europe, including Russia, and the USA.
| 1970 | ■ | Träd, Gräs och Stenar | Decibel DRS 3702 | ★★★★★★6 |
| 1972 | ■ | Rock för kropp och själ | Silence SRS 4608 | ★★★★★★6 |
| 1972 | ■ | Djungelns lag | Tall 1 | ★★★★★★★★8 |
| 1974 | ■ | Mors, mors | Tall 2 | ★★★★★★★★8 |
See also Compilations
Turid Lundqvist began her career at the age of fifteen at Stockholm's Liverpool Club in 1965, where she was let in for free if she would sing a few songs between other acts. In 1969 she recorded a Swedish-language album for Metronome that was never released. Turid was then picked up by Silence, which released her début Vittras visor in 1971. It features mostly English-language folk-psych and the subtle backing from Björn J:son Lindh, Kenny Håkansson and acoustic bassist Palle Danielsson makes Turid's crystal clear voice shine high and mighty. Highlights include "To The Children Of Song My" and "Crystal Shade Of Loneliness", the latter with words by longtime collaborator Jan Hammarlund. She also joined Kebnekajse and toured with them for a few years, but only appeared on "Rättvikarnas gånglåt" on their second album. Several members of the band backed her on the Swedish-language Bilder. It worked especially well on the psychedelic "Låt mig se dig", probably her most adventurous recording yet. The title track from Tredje dagen album featured Bengt Berger on tablas and the trademark prominent acoustic bass - this time played by Tommy Johnsson (Vildkaktus). Then followed a shared album with Hammarlund and Lena Ekman, which was not nearly as inventive as her solo releases. In the spring of 1977 Turid signed with major label Metronome, but her sound didn't change all that much. Selma, världserövrare featured great guitar work from Lasse Englund on the stand-out track "På din motorcykel". Turid recorded two more albums in the 80's before leaving music for a regular job at a post office. She also worked with Finnish artist M A Numminen on his 70's albums Haren satt i gropen i Finland and Fårskallevisor.
| 1971 | ■ | Vittras visor | Silence SRS 4609 | ★★★★★5 |
| 1972 | ■ | Den gamla vanliga historien / Före Kenora * (S) | Silence Zing 104 | ★★★★★★★★★9 |
| 1972 | ● | Den gamla vanliga historien / Före Kenora (S) | Silence Zing 104 | ★★★★★★6 |
| 1973 | ■ | Bilder | Silence SRS 4616 | ★★★★4 |
| 1975 | ■ | Tredje dagen | Silence SRS 4628 | ★★★3 |
| 1976 | ■ | Igår, idag, imorgon ** | Silence SRS 4638 | ★★★3 |
| 1977 | ■ | Selma, världserövrare | Metronome MLP 15619 | ★★2 |
The theatre groups Nationalteatern, Nynningen, Narren, Tidningsteatern and Musikteatergruppen Oktober joined forces for this highly ambitious project. Over 100 persons were involved in staging a play about the history of the Swedish working class over the previous hundred years. Travelling with a huge circus tent they toured Sweden for four and a half months, playing for more than 100 000 people, with 82 performances in 31 cities. It resulted in a film, a book and an album, resembling later releases from Nationalteatern and Nynningen.
| 1977 | ■ | Vi äro tusenden | Nacksving 031-10 | ★★★3 |
See also Compilations
Monica Törnell came from Söderhamn and was eighteen when she recorded her first album. It was produced by Lasse Svensson (Blond) and contained folk-based progressive music with Swedish lyrics. Musicians included Björn J:son Lindh, Janne Schaffer and Hawkey Franzén. Notable tracks were a vocal version of "Barkbrödslåten", with words by her mentor Cornelis Vreeswijk, and a Swedish version of Jethro Tull's "Wind Up" - ironically credited to one Jan Anderson. Alrik featured more of the same and the obvious highlight is the experimental "Öje brudmarsch". It also contained several tracks of traditional folk. Törnell then turned to English-language rock for the following two albums. She was back to her original style with Jag är som jag är..., which also included the high-energy progressive instrumental "Och ängeln föddes" written by keyboardist Bosse Norgren and bassist Per Johansson. The decade ended with the mellow Ingica mångrind. Monica Törnell reached mainstream success in 1984 with Ted Strom's "Vintersaga" and, somewhat unexpectedly, represented Sweden in the 1986 Eurovision Song Contest together with Lasse Holm, finishing at 5th place. That year also saw the release of another Törnell duet, this time with British rock star Steve Marriott (Small Faces, Humble Pie) on her album Big Mama.
| 1972 | ■ | Ingica | Philips 6316 017 | ★★★3 |
| 1973 | ■ | Alrik | Philips 6316 033 | ★★2 |
| 1974 | ■ | Long Long Weekend / Give It Back (S) | Philips 6015 107 | ★★★3 |
| 1975 | ● | I'm In Love With A Blue Frog / Sam Hill (S) (Promo) | Phonogram 6015 158 | ★★2 |
| 1975 | ● | I'm In Love With A Blue Frog / Sam Hill (S) | Philips 6015 158 | ★★2 |
| 1975 | ■ | Don't Give A Damn | Philips 6316 052 | ★★2 |
| 1977 | ■ | Katastrofen / Snowcold Day (S) | Mercury 6062 037 | ★1 |
| 1977 | ■ | Bush Lady | Mercury 6363 011 | ★★★3 |
| 1978 | ■ | Jag är som jag är... | Philips 6316 108 | ★★★3 |
| 1979 | ■ | Ingica Mångrind | Philips 6316 123 | ★★2 |