Instrumental
International relevance: **
Lasse
Englund's first album, and the first of two released on Kjell Höglund's Alternativ label (the second one being ”Den andra
depressionen” released three years later). His technical skills
were already firmly in place this early on in his solo career, but as
opposed to the previously reviewed ”Lila och orange”, here they
are backed up by real substance. The songs are mostly instrumental;
the only vocals heard are hummed harmonies on a couple of tracks. The
well-composed pieces have an occasional Swedish folk feel, but really owe a lot more to English and Scottish folk music,
with Englund even slipping in a short passage from ”She Moved
Through the Fair” Davy Graham style to the intro of ”Benke
Plankton”. However, Englund's style at this point was assumingly
mostly influenced by John Renbourn. The tabla and hand drums work on
multiple tracks wouldn't have been out of place on Renbourn albums
such as ”A Maid in Bedlam”. But with that one being released in
1977 – who influenced who? I'm sure Renbourn must have known about
this Swedish picker and was probably rather impressed by his
chops.
Englund's playing is fluent, inspired and fun, and
further help from other players including multitalent Kjell Westling
makes ”Drakväder” a very appealing and often very beautiful listen. Especially if you're
into the folk baroque guitar stylings of Graham, Renbourn, and Bert
Jansch in his least bluesy moments. ”Drakväder” is indeed
Englund's finest hour as a solo artist. The cover art is nice too,
with an elaborate private pressing feel.
Better yet: The album can still be found fairly cheap.
Fiskmåsen
Drakväder
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