Swedish vocals
International relevance: ***
As with Thomas Tidholm, Thomas Mera
Gartz was much better when he was in charge of his own album and not
only a part of Träd, Gräs Och Stenar. Only two Träd, Gräs Och
Stenar members appear prominently on ”Sånger”, guitarist Jakob
Sjöholm and bassist Torbjörn Abelli. Instead, Gartz wisely opted
for a set of musicians with a good instrumental grasp; Bo Skoglund,
Roland Keijser, Bengt Berger, Anita Livstrand and Nikke Ström to
name most of the participants.
Gartz may not have been the world's
greatest singer, but ”Sånger's” intimacy, melancholy and the
musicians' interplay are so much more important to the outcome. The
entire album has a tender delicacy to it, it's both fragile and
frail, heartfelt and sincere, with an openendedness inviting the
listener to come closer and closer until you can't help embracing the
music. The stellar cast of performers helps immensely of course. They
listen with in the songs and within themselves, enter musical openings, bring elusive spiritual overtones
to the songs, move the music and their fellow players forward. Gartz leads but ”Sånger” is a collective effort,
an example of what might happen if vision and skills meet.
Full album playlist
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