Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby (nee Hank von Helvete) has found time between promoting Scientology and his Cornelis Vreeswijk biopic to form a new band called Dr. Midnight & the Mercy Cult featuring members from Extol, Marilyn Manson, Satyricon and Apotygma Berzerk. They are currently booked to play Slottsfjell-festivalen, but are expected to announce more dates soon.
Mats ÖbergThe musical genius of Mats Öberg has delivered to us this masterpiece of work inspired by the late Cornelis Vreeswijk, with jazz-improvised songs. What sets this apart to me (with my untrained ears) is how Mats effortlessly flows over the ivories, not as a jazz musician, but as a classical one playing jazz, and that's what I think makes this so great. The sense one gets from this record is that Mats played it with care, but also in great fun, and that joy is projected onto the listener.
- Matt Giordano
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Håkan Hellström - För sent för Edelweiss
02. Christer Sjögren - Jubileum 40 år med Christer Sjögren
03. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
04. Linda Bengtzing - Vild & galen
05. Amy Diamond - Music in motion
06. Sibel - The diving belle
07. Johnossi - All they ever wanted
08. Veronica Maggio - och vinnaren är...
09. Pugh Rogefeldt - vinn hjärta vinn
10. Ane Brun - Changing of the seasons
11. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (new edition)
12. Monica Zetterlund - Sakta vi gå genom stan - Det bästa med Monica
14. Takida - Bury the lies
15. Säkert! - Säkert!
16. Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
17. Frida - Hoppa upp!
18. Cornelis Vreeswijk - CV - Det bästa med Cornelis Vreeswijk
19. Caracola - This is Caracola
20. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao 3
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Linda Bengtzing - Vild & galen
02. Amy Diamond - Music in motion
03. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
04. Carola - Främling 25 år
05. Povel Ramel - Karameller - Det bästa med Povel Ramel
06. Cornelis Vreeswijk - CV - Det bästa med Cornelis Vreeswijk
07. Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
08. Ane Brun - Changing of the seasons
09. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (new edition)
10. Sibel - The diving belle
11. The Poodles - Sweet trade (new edition)
12. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao 3
14. Peter Lemarc - Kärlek i tystnadens tid
15. Björn Skifs - I2I
16. Christer Sjögren - Älskade andliga sanger
17. Monica Zetterlund - Sakta vi gå genom stan - Det bästa med Monica
18. Takida - Bury the lies
19. Kikki Danielsson - Kikkis bästa
20. Fernandoz - Anders & Git - En helt ny dag
Hey, look! More jazz to bore all you indie music fans. I make no secret that I'm a huge fan of Nordic folk-inspired jazz such as Jan Johansson and Cornelis Vreeswijk and other modern folk-influenced acts such as Detektivbyrån, Det Gamla Landet and Hedningarna, but did you know that I am also a soprano sax player? Or was I guess I should say, as I am waaaay out of practice. I know most people immediately think Kenny G when they think soprano, but please put such thoughts aside! Think John Coltrane, Steve Lacy. Anyone else! Or maybe start thinking Jonas Knutsson & Horn Please. Six sax players (from sopranino to baritone, but mostly soprano) plus a rhythm section playing "Country & Eastern" music (as the cover proclaims), or as you may have guessed, ethnic folk-inspired jazz. I became hooked on this stuff way back when John Zorn first started his acclaimed Masada project- I had been a fan of his work with Naked City among other projects, but it's his roots-based work with Masada that I consider to be his best. Did you realize that there are many similar tonal qualities in Middle Eastern, Eastern European and Scandinavian folk? It's true. The styles blend together far more easily than you might expect. That's why me, as some Jewish kid getting into Masada, can also similarly appreciate a "polska" piece from Jonas Knutsson. Now, I'm not actually posting a polka today, but you get the idea, right?
Jonas Knutsson - Bosambo-Revati
Closing out the week and following up on my last two posts, here's a track from the man himself, Cornelis Vreeswijk. I can't speak for his entire vast discography, but from what I've heard, there's definitely a barrier for entry for non-Swedish speaking listeners such as myself. He can be quite verbose too, though it's tempered with a very well-developed melodic sense, not to mention a fine selection of well-respected collaborators such as Jan Johannson (as discussed yesterday), Georg Riedel and Björn J:son Lindh. Fortunately, there are English language tracks such as "Ballad in the dust" for dummies like myself, along with a body of work in his native Dutch should you be curious for more. It's hard to hear this without thinking of John Prine since the delivery and dark, wry humor is so similar, but I think Vreeswijk has a better voice. The words are definitely the focal point though, and on that point he delivers exceedingly well - no small feat for an artist who primarily composed in an adopted tongue (Swedish) before extending himself even further.
As for other Cornelis Vreeswijk stuff to check out, anyone have any suggestions? I'm still a novice, so all advice is appreciated. So far I've only had the opportunity to peruse some "greatest hits" type collections, not individual albums.
Cornelis Vreeswijk - Ballad in the dust
The remake of "Poems, ballader och lite blues" (as discussed yesterday) isn't the only new release paying tribute to Cornelis Vreeswijk; Mats Öberg's new record "Improvisational two" is comprised entirely of solo improvisations based on Vreeswijk songs. Listening to this track that I've posted may remind you of Jan Johansson which of course is quite fitting, seeing as how Johansson played on the original version from the album "Grimascher och telegram" (1966). Mats' take on the piece is, naturally, a bit more free given the solo/improv setting, but the melody carries through and that's the most important part. And what a lovely melody it is! If the language barrier is too much for you to take, try this instead.
Mats Öberg - En visa om ett rosenblad
I don't know much about Cornelis Vreeswijk beyond what can be gleaned from his bio at wikipedia, but I am definitely aware of his reputation and eminent stature which is why I was immediately interested in the new all-star recreation of "Poem, ballader och lite blues" curated by Göran Petersson and Nina Ramsby. Wordy music such as this doesn't always maintain its appeal for listeners who won't immediately understand the lyrics, but I find that the melodies are strong enough to carry it. The strong lineup helps too- Martin Hederos and Fredrik Sandsten from The Soundtrack of Our Lives play on almost every track along with respected jazz musicians such as Jonas Kullhammar and Johan Berthling. And that's just scratching the surface. As for the track I've decided to feature today, what's not to like about Britta Persson? I love the waltz-like lilt of the tune and Britta's delivery is fantastic, especially with the way she practically spits out some of the more aggressive lines. Great stuff.
Britta Persson - Hajar'u de då Jack?
Restocks coming in later this week, available to order now: Those Dancing Days, "Upp till kamp!" and Paris. Also look for brand new stuff such as E.S.T./Esbjorn Svensson Trio's latest record "Live in Hamburg", the all-star tribute to Cornelis Vreeswijk's masterwork "Poem, ballader och lite blues", the Brödera Lindgren "Vuxen barnmusik!" (Children's music for adults), the "Alvin Eldpojken" album (actual children's music) and a new 2CD classic Swedish prog collection from MNW. I'll be making them available as soon as they arrive, so check back!
Listen to Annika Norlin (Hello Saferide/Säkert!) play a cover of Generalens visa"" by Cornelis Vreeswijk: http://webbtv.dn.se/index.aspx?id=2990&mediaType=sound&mediaFile=external-link
The track appears on a new tribute album which you can read more about here: http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2198&a=714692 (in Swedish)
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Eva Dahlgren - En blekt blondins ballader
02. Per Gessle - En händig man
03. Cajsastina Åkerström - Visor från förr & nu
04. Lasse Stefanz - Vagabond
05. Ted Gärdestad - För kärlekens skull - Det bästa med
06. The Ark - Prayer for the weekend
07. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
08. Sonja Aldén - Till dig
09. Markoolio - Värsta Plattan
10. Sarah Dawn Finer - A finer dawn
11. Måns Zelmerlöw - Stand by for...
12. Tommy Körberg - Rakt upp och ner
14. Säkert! - Säkert
15. Sofia karlsson - Visor från vinden
16. Oh Laura - A song inside my head, a demon in my bed
17. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
18. Calaisa - Calaisa
19. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me
20. Cornelis Vreeswijk - CV - Det bästa med Cornelis Vreeswijk
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Lasse Stefanz - Vagabond
02. Per Gessle - En händig man
03. Eva Dahlgren - En blekt blondins ballader
04. The Ark - Prayer for the weekend
05. Markoolio - Värsta Plattan
06. Cajsastina Åkerström - Visor från förr & nu
07. Ted Gärdestad - För kärlekens skull - Det bästa med
08. Oh Laura - A song inside my head, a demon in my bed
09. Sonja Aldén - Till dig
10. Magnus Carlsson - Live forever - The album
11. Sarah Dawn Finer - A finer dawn
12. Maia Hirasawa - Though, i'm just me
14. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
15. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
16. Måns Zelmerlöw - Stand by for...
17. Miss Li - God put a rainbow in the sky
18. Dana Dragomir - Älskade svenska visor
19. Cornelis Vreeswijk - CV - Det bästa med cornelis vreeswijk
20. Povel Ramel - De bästa av povels mångsidor
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Måns Zelmerlöw - Stand by for...
02. Oh Laura - A song inside my head, a demon in my bed
03. Sarah Dawn Finer - A finer dawn
04. Tommy Körberg - Rakt upp och ner
05. Markoolio - Värsta Plattan
06. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
07. Danny - Heart beats
08. Mustasch - Latest version of the truth
09. The Ark - Prayer for the weekend
10. Streaplers - Bästa!
11. Sonja Aldén - Till dig
12. Neverstore - Sevenhundred Sundays
14. Sofia Karlsson - Visor från vinden
15. Cornelis Vreeswijk - CV - Det bästa med Cornelis Vreeswijk
16. Eldkvarn - Svart blogg
17. Takida - Bury the lies
18. Torgny Melin - Allting som vi har
19. The Tough Alliance - A new chance
20. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Danny - Heart beats
02. Sarah Dawn Finer - A finer dawn
03. Måns Zelmerlöw - Stand by for...
04. Oh Laura - A song inside my head, a demon in my bed
05. Tommy Körberg - Rakt upp och ner
06. Mustasch - Latest version of the truth
07. Markoolio - Värsta Plattan
08. Sofia Karlsson - Visor från vinden
09. Sonja Aldén - Till dig
10. The Ark - Prayer for the weekend
11. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
12. Torgny Melin - Allting som vi har
14. Nationalteaterns Rockorkester - Live 2006
15. Takida - Bury the lies
16. Cornelis Vreeswijk - CV - Det bästa med Cornelis Vreeswijk
17. Eldkvarn - Svart blogg
18. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
19. The Tough Alliance - A new chance
20. Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkalland
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Måns Zelmerlöw - Stand by for...
02. Oh Laura - A song inside my head, a demon in my bed
03. Svenska Akademien - Gör det ändå
04. The Ark - Prayer for the weekend
05. Mustasch - Latest version of the truth
06. Sonja Aldén - Till dig
07. Takida - Bury the lies
08. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
09. Cornelis Vreeswijk - CV - Det bästa med Cornelis Vreeswijk
10. Nanne - Jag måste kyssa dig
11. Sofia Karlsson - Visor från vinden
12. Markoolio - Värsta Plattan
14. Eldkvarn - Svart blogg
15. The Tough Alliance - A new chance
16. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
17. Marie Lindberg - Trying to recall
18. Sonata Arctica - Unia
19. Shout Out Louds - Our ill wills
20. Lillasyster - Hjärndöd musik för en hjärndöd generation
