SÖDRA BERGENS BALALAIKOR – Södra Bergens Balalaikor (MNW, 1971) / 1973 (MNW, 1973) / Skiva (MNW, 1979)

Södra Bergens Balalaikor were a huge – and I do mean huge! – balalaika orchestra from Stockholm, although they incorporated other instruments too to flesh out the sound. They were very much part of the progg movement but are still a curiousity with their unusual line-up and their repertoire of Russian folk songs and tunes.

Södra Bergens Balalaikor (MNW, 1971)

Instrumental, Russian vocals

International relevance: *

The first of only three SBB albums released in the 70's. Their intentions were serious, no doubt about it but they never turned academic. ”Södra Bergens Balalaikor” is mildly entertaining and joyful, but even if instrumental tracks are interspersed with vocal ones, a whole album gets a little samey to someone with insufficient interest in the music they're playing.

1973 (MNW, 1973)

International relevance: *

Instrumental, Russian vocals

Their second albums has better sound than the first but the style is unsurprisingly the same as on the first. The instrumentation however is a little more varied, a little more economically used, why ”1973” gets the nod over their debut as well as the following album. If you want one album of theirs, this is the one to get.

Skiva (MNW, 1979)

Instrumental, Russian vocals 

International relevance: *

 

I can't deny SBB are enjoyable in small quantities, and tt's probably great fun hearing them in an auditorium or even play in the orchestra, but as far as home entertainment go, three SBB albums are definitely beyond overkill. This was the last SBB album in 13 years before making a sudden return to disc with 2002's ”Kamarinskaya". They've kept performing since the 70's though, with constant member changes to keep them alive.

SBB also appear on ”Festen på Gärdet” (1971) and ”Alternativ Festival” (1975).

Södra Bergens Balalaikor full album playlist
1973 full album playlist

Skiva no links found