Lasse Tennander's first record
appearance was as a member of 60's Kingston Trio styled folk trio The
Wayfarers, and for his 1974 solo debut ”Lars Vegas” he had
evolved into one of many progg singer/songwriters steeped in the
Dylan tradition. His lyrics are often political but rarely shouty. A curious fact is that he translated the lyrics to
Pugh Rogefeldt's ”Ja dä ä dä” album. His English translations
were used for the back cover of the U.S. release on Vault.
Lars Vegas (Midnight Sun, 1974)
Swedish vocals, English
vocals
International relevance: *
”Lars Vegas” mixes softer tracks
with upbeat numbers. The most interesting thing about the album is
the credits list. Many studio regulars appear – Janne Schaffer. Jan
Bandel and Mike Watson but also Anders Nordh of Life on guitar. The
songs lack originality, but "Shall We Join the Ladies" is mildly interesting
with a string arrangement and reveals a surprising David Bowie
influence both in style and Tennander's voice.
Alla är vi barn i början (Oktober,
1976)
Swedish vocals
International relevance: *
The title track is one of Tennander's
best songs, and ”Yngve Frejs barn” is him at his proggiest, but the
rest of the album is as yawny as ”Lars Vegas”. Several session
musicians used on his debut appear here as well, including Nordh but
they can't save this album either.
På jakt... (Sonet, 1978)
Swedish vocals
Swedish vocals
International relevance: *
”På jakt I” is a four minute
autobiography, ”För gammal för rock men för ung för att dö”
is an obvious (and rather funny) gibe at rock singer/songwriter Ulf Lundell (now a
national icon), and ”Långt bortom allt förnuft” has a
bittersweet melancholy to it, and several lyrics deal with having a child. But it's still as unengaging as his
previous two LP's.
”På jakt...” was also released with the sleeve variation seen above.
Längst därinne är himlen ändå röd
(Sonet, 1979)
Swedish vocals
International relevance: *
Better than the previous ones, by a small margin. ”Med revade segel”
is his best song, and possibly a comment to the
subsiding progg movement in a similar vein to Mikael Wiehe's ”Titanic
(Andraklasspassagerarens sista sång)”. Or a political analysis of
the year when the Social Democratic Party lost the election to the
right wing parties for the first time in 40 years. The song was also
released a single. Lasse Englund, Stefan Nilsson and blues artist
Rolf Wikström among the session players.
Lasse Tennander continued making albums
for decades but appears to have retired now. A 1976 recording with back-up from Kaipa (?!) is included in ”Progglådan”.
Lars Vegas full album playlist
Alla är vi barn i början full album playlist
Lars Vegas full album playlist
Alla är vi barn i början full album playlist
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