Storsvarten

Amazon.com
As a soloist, Olov Johansson has been making a name for himself as one of Sweden's great musicians. As a member of Vásen, he has also become one of the vanguard of the new folk movement. He plays the nyckelharpa, a uniquely Swedish keyed fiddle that utilizes mid- to high-toned strings for melody and a steady drone of high, crystalline sympathetic strings for richness. On this "solo" recording he has gathered a diverse group of accompanists and chosen a varied set of material, from medieval ballads to some unusual original tunes. The set is pretty evenly split between solos and duets, with one quartet. Johansson works with some of his fellow Vásen members--Michael Marin and Roger Tallroth on a few tracks, and pipe organist Anders Bomander on one ecclesiastical piece. The closing quartet feature recorder, cello, and viola in a baroque original that is both regal and darkly menacing. Johansson is one of Sweden's most interesting composers and musicians, in or out of the tradition. --Louis Gibson

Tracks:

Ridmarsch Efter Bohlin
Fulltraffen
Bjernulfs Brollopspolska
Tva Stabilatar
Ockelbogubbarnas Favoritpolska
Vals Efter Erlandsson
Erik Bohlins Brudpolska
Skallat Troll
Polska Efter Strutz-Gustaf
Storsvarten
Sjoankans Vals
Alvaringen
Carl-Olov Adrenalins Polska
Valbolaten
Schedins Brudpolska
Stormyren
Tva Polskor Fran Osta
Vals Efter Kpooarslagaren
Polkett Efter Bohlin
Toker
Skalarna
Svampmannen

Amazon.com

As a soloist, Olov Johansson has been making a name for himself as one of Sweden's great musicians. As a member of Vásen, he has also become one of the vanguard of the new folk movement. He plays the nyckelharpa, a uniquely Swedish keyed fiddle that utilizes mid- to high-toned strings for melody and a steady drone of high, crystalline sympathetic strings for richness. On this "solo" recording he has gathered a diverse group of accompanists and chosen a varied set of material, from medieval ballads to some unusual original tunes. The set is pretty evenly split between solos and duets, with one quartet. Johansson works with some of his fellow Vásen members--Michael Marin and Roger Tallroth on a few tracks, and pipe organist Anders Bomander on one ecclesiastical piece. The closing quartet feature recorder, cello, and viola in a baroque original that is both regal and darkly menacing. Johansson is one of Sweden's most interesting composers and musicians, in or out of the tradition. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

If John Coltrane played nickelharpa..........2001-05-02

Many probably already know Olov Johansson from his work with the well-known Swedish group Vasen. The primary difference here is that the majority of the cd is solo nyckelharpa and the majority of the tunes are traditional. This cd is among my favorite Swedish folk cds (right up there with Frifot's "Summersong" and Anders Norrude's "Himself"). Though most of the cd is solo nyckelharpa, some of the songs are duets featuring guitar, bouzouki, viola, or organ. Fans of the early Vasen recording "Essence" should really love this album as it lacks the precussion of the later Vasen albums and does feature fellow Vasen members Roger Tallroth (12-string guitar and bouzouki) and Mikael Marin (viola) on a few tracks. Organist/Pianist Anders Bromander also accompanies Olov on 2 tracks. In my humble and honest opinion, this cd is a quintessential recording of contemporary Swedish folk music and well worth the money. Fans of celtic and eastern european music may also really like it (if you like celtic/eastern european or even medieval music and haven't yet immersed yourself in Scandanavian folk music, well you're in for a real treat!!!) What are you waiting for?? BUY THIS!!!

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