Instrumental, Swedish vocals, other
languages
International relevance: ***
After releasing what is my all time favourite progg album "II" in 1973, I obviously don't hold "III" in euqally high regard. Which is not to say it isn't good album, because it is. Half of it is very similar in style to their preceding LP, with cherry-picked traditional tunes Kebnekaise's bearing their unique hallmark. ”Leksands brudmarsch” is actually on the same level as their second album and a definite high point of tbe band's career (and thus, better than Merit Hemmingson's version).
The album also reveals a band looking to expand their sound, particularly examplified by percussionist Hassan Bah's African flavoured ”Mariamá”. Unfortunately it feels a bit like a democratic inclusion and detracts a lot from the rest of the album, making it feel out of place in this collection, even if it's the last track on the original album. That changed though when it was reissued on CD, when "Gånglåt från Dala-Järna" was added as a secret bonus track. This trad tune was previously only available on the eponymous compilation released by Silence in 1990.
Despite a few objections, ”III” is
essential Kebnekaise. No progg collection should be without it.
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