Zamla Mammaz Manna - Famijlesprickor (Sweden 1980) [AvantProg] @320

This album has grown on me a lot - and I liked it to begin with. After seeing their ProgDay performance, coupled with hearing this album and Kaka, S/Zamla has quickly become one of my favorite bands. They take a joyous, high-energy approach to some fairly complex, very proggy music, and add in a great sense of humor to boot.

The opening track, "Five Single Combats", is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Dominique nailed it with the "cartoon on speed" description. However I've got to take exception to his description of "Ventilation Calculation" as verging on banality - the section of that song where they blow across bottle mouths to generate the melody is one of the coolest things I've ever heard. "Papa (with right of veto)" throws some twisted reggae into the mix, and "The Thrall" mixes avant-sounding vocal noises with sparse, improvised instrumentation. There are sections of "The Farmhand" which sound somewhat like Magma. This album has a bit of everything.

The keyboard work is fantastic throughout, the guitarist plays plenty of tasty leads and the rhythm section are certainly no slouches either. I'd recommend this CD to nearly all prog fans, unless you're put off by mostly instrumental music or hate avant prog enough to let the occasional bits here and there stop you. Those who cringed at the "cartoon" description might not enjoy the band's sense of humor. But I have a hard time imagining anyone who couldn't find something to like about this disc.
-Bob Eichler-


01. Five single combats 05.52
02. Ventilation calculation 05.05
03. The forge 05.04
04. The thrall 05.05
05. The panting short story 03.52
06. Pappa (with the right of veto) 04.27
07. The farmhand 07.33
08. Kernel in short and long castling 05.40 


Lars Hollmer: keyboards, accordion, vocals
Eino Haapala: guitar, vocals
Lars Krantz: bass, vocals
Vilgot Hansson: drums, percussion
Hans Bruniusson: drums, percussion

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)

Lars Hollmer - Vandelmässa (Sweden 1993) [AvantProg] @320

Lars Hollmer is the keyboards player and accordionist of SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA, a musical legend who once was, during the Seventies, the swedish representative of the Rock In Opposition movement. He was also involved with various bands, RAMLOSA KVALLAR, VON ZAMLA or THE LOOPING ORCHESTRA amongst others, without forgetting his own solo career. His works mix folk music, Progressive rock and new musics. His music is full of joy and freshness, blending simplicity and research. Published on the defunct AYAA label, "Vandelmassa" is now reissued on the Gazul label. This is a collection of songs composed between 1972 and 1993, revisiting all the stylistical eras he experienced. An ideal introduction to the particular universe of Lars HOLLMER. To be discovered !

01. Träumeri (4:20)
02. Va pappa sa (0:50)
03. Växeltango (6:01)
04. Gåvan (3:23)
05. Sväng (2:19)
06. Gospel F.A.T. Jesus (3:22)
07. Tittut (0:21)
08. Dä ögon (2:17)
09. Pompen (3:09)
10. Vattenmusik (1:34)
11. Valgrotta (1:50)
12. Celestavals (3:10)
13. Alicetheme II (1:35)
14. Teatime (Original) (0:59)
15. Doina (3:48)
16. Tom lilla Tom (0:47)
17. Unaffair (3:20)
18. Okformeimpro, for you? (4:00)
19. Harmonium I (3:13)
20. Sarasnoa (1:47)
21. Sometime (3:25)
22. Südaf (4:37)
23. Årstidsvisan (3:33)
24. Franksa valsen (2:36)
25. Novelty (5:04)
26. Door (0:02)

Lars Hollmer: accordion, keyboards, percussion, melodica, vocals 
Eino Haapala: guitar 
Gabriel Strand Hollm: percussion, vocals 
Hasse Bruniusson: drums 
Lars Krantz: bass 
Olle Sundin: keyboards 
Olof Hellberg: drums 
Rinda Strand Hollmer: vocals 
Ulf Wallander: soprano saxophone, flute 
Wolfgang Salomon: alto vocals, bass, percussion

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)
Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)

Lars Hollmer - Från Natt Idag (Sweden 1983) [AvantProg] @320K

During the '80s, Swedish keyboardist/accordionist Lars Hollmer set off on his own path separate from Samla Mammas Manna and their offshoots, and fully hit his stride with the release of 1983's Från Natt Idag, a sometimes quirky slice of Scandinavian folk-flavored avant-prog rock on which Hollmer sang and played all the instruments, recording alone at night in his Chickenhouse studio. The accordion and Hollmer's occasional vocals impart warmth to the music, which is sometimes dominated by the type of electronic drum rhythms and synth tones that characterized the '70s-'80s prog era. Yet during this period Hollmer also used his personal studio to sculpt sound and atmosphere in a manner similar to Brian Eno -- "Skar" slots into Från Natt Idag in a way not too dissimilar from the way a track like "Zawinul/Lava" fit into Another Green World. And Hollmer followed up "Skar" with "Optimistbeat," a multi-tracked dose of spirited prog-folk with prominent accordion melody and a bridge of 100 percent pure rock & roll. "Nationsjazz," with its driving meter alternating between 6/8 and 5/8, would prove a killer tune for Hollmer's SOLA band to cover in a Tokyo studio nearly two decades later; the quintessentially uncategorizable "Fur Munju" (neo-classical ska fusion?) would get the multi-tracked Hollmer treatment here while also showing up in a full-band sextet arrangement on Von Zamla's No Make Up!, also recorded at the Chickenhouse in 1983 and released the following year. [Several selections from Från Natt Idag were later included in the 1993 single-CD comp entitled Lars Hollmer 80-88 (later re-released as The Siberian Circus), and in 1998 Resource Records included the entire album in the very worthwhile two-CD set Tonöga/Från Natt Idag/Vendeltid, which included bonus tracks.]
-AMG-


01. Hoppas Att Det Går (2:45)
02. Mowiee (3:26)
03. Skiss Till Jazz (1:51)
04. Liturgiskt Beat (4:30)
05. Persisk Park (3:21)
06. Soon Song (2:27)
07. Ett Tungt OK (3:18)
08. Skär (2:09)
09. Optimiistbeat (4:10)
10. Nationsjazz (3:22)
11. Inte Quanta (2:29)
12. Tango Noll (3:40)
13. Mörkrädd Vals (3:03)
14. Für Munju (2:52)


Lars Hollmer: accordion, keyboards, drums & percussion, vocals, everything else

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)
Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)

Connivence - Connivence (Vinyl Rip) (Canada 1977) [ProgFolk] @320K

First record of a group that is more of an amalgam of artistes linking under the Connivence name in order to make an album, this relative uncommon procedure delivered three albums that are worthy of the proghead's interest, especially so if he is into Folk Prog. Basically a blend of folk-duo Nous Autres and jazz rock group Oasis, it also includes some solo English-speaking songwriters (but French-singing) who are playing with those two groups. Sounds confusing? Well, Kinda! But these guys were all acquaintances from the Ottawa river valley, just across the federal capital of Ottawa.

After reading the first paragraph, you'd have to believe that this album would be very eclectic, uneven and with a wide spectrum, but actually, the album is fairly focused and most of the tracks are folk, folk rock or folk-derived prog. So eclectic this album is but for its own good: they folk-jazz-rock is sometimes head-twirling, at times virtuosic and all the time very charming.

The opening progressive instrumental jig (aptly called Gigue) is calling your ears to attention right away, with the hippy-folk idealist Dans Ta Fenêtre being a stark contrast in sobriety. With Boyau De La Liberté reminding you of the opener (minus the open jig) and its violin reminiscent of Kansas' Robby Steinhard, the album is made to please even the most demanding proghead. Even if Grande Valse is fairly cheesy, Sable De Lucerne is modern classic-influenced and the tracks sounds like a RIO marriage between Univers Zero and early Maneige. And with the superb Villageoise track closing off the first side of this Ottawa voyage, you realize that once again, Quebec still has many hidden gems still waiting for Cd releases.

But with the second side to go, opening strangely with Happy Endings (an instrumental symphonic-jazzy jig) which is like a cross between Maneige and Aquarelle, again the second track is leading us in a very sober folk couple of tracks written by folk duo Nous Autres, one of which can be likened to Anthony Phillips' works on his "private parts and pieces" series. The album closes on a head-twisting pastoral symphonic Lapin, which fittingly ends this great album.

While not a real masterpiece of Quebecois music, the first Connivence album is very worthy of any proghead's interest and it is a shame their albums (no Cd re-issues and vinyls getting scarce) are getting hard to find, because even most Quebecois seem to have forgotten about this amalgam of artistes, which will release two more album under the same formula, but with different participants.
-Sean Trane- Prog Archives


01. La Gigue
02. Dans Ta Fenêtre
03. Le Boyau En Liberté
04. La Dernière Grande Valse
05. Le Pit De Sable De Lucerne
06. La Villageoise En Ville
07. Happy Endings
08. Blanc-Blême
09. L'eau De La Vie
10. Lapin


Paul Pugnaire: guitars, composition, vocals
Marc Sommer: bass, vocals
Jean-Luc Gotteland: keyboards, vocals
Thierry Durbano: drums, percussions
Lionel Dugas: vocals, guitars  

Connivence - Connivence II (Vinyl Rip) (Canada 1979) [ProgFolk] @320K

If Connivence's first album was a rather confusing compilation of tracks from different artistes into a collective, the second album released the next year is much more of real album from a real artiste. Behind the astounding and superb watermill artwork of the cover, we're still dealing with pastoral folk, even if the folk gets naval as well with a couple of tracks. Neither Soucy or Oasis cared to participate to this effort, leaving Steve Burman and the duo Nous Autres and newcomer Guy LaFrance to fill the album, which gains in cohesiveness compared to its predecessor.

Nous Autres contributes to pure or trad folk songs like Quebec Au Printemps (a cheesy ode to Quebec that was obviously aimed at airplay) and Le Bateau or Une Goutte De Sang. But most of the tracks are hovering between folk rock and folk jazz, induced by Syncope's presence in backing Burman and LaFrance (see 1959 and Dac). Sometimes you'll hear chunks of early Harmonium influences, but then again the head-twisting Saskatoon is close to a jig in its last developments.

In the typical Quebec fashion, delicious female vocals are present, here France Charron on four tracks) including the delicious Le Mat, set to cello and strings, and the superb flute-laden Chanson D'Amour pour France is a Burman & Syncope tune with some jazz arrangements, but Dac and Cocottes De Kazou are much in the same mould. Nous Autres is back with the superb S'Il Y A De L'Amour that can only send shivers down your back. And wait until you get to the closing stunner Accouche Qu'On Baptise to get the same shivers.

Since these albums have never received a Cd reissue (legit or boot), there is only one hope for most of progheads to one day hear Connivence's first two collaborations, and that hope's name is ProgQuebec, but Connivence's vinyls are still quite cheap , the only trick is to ship them through the expensive Canada Post, but no doubt you'll not regret doing so.

Certainly worth a listen (and a few more), Connivence is the perfect music to get in close to your mate and start making some connivance.
-Sean Trane- Prog Archives


01. Québec au printemps
02. Le Mât
03. Chanson d'Amour pour France
04. DAC
05. Les Cocottes de Kazou
06. Saskatoon
07. S'il y a d'l'amour
08. 1959
09. Une goutte de sang
10. Le Bateau
11. Accouche qu'on baptise


Paul Pugnaire: guitars, composition, vocals
Marc Sommer: bass, vocals
Jean-Luc Gotteland: keyboards, vocals
Thierry Durbano: drums, percussions
Lionel Dugas: vocals, guitars

Lars Hollmer - XII Sibiriska Cyklar & Vill Du Höra Mer (Sweden 1981 & 1982) [AvantProg] @320K

The title XII sibiriska cyklar allude to the story about the Siberian farmer, who was living so dreadfully far away from everything and everybody, that he spent most of his time walking to his every destination. However, when he at last became tired of these boring time-consuming walks, he sat down and eventually invented a bicycle! Struck with rapture for his ingenious invention, he anxiously straddled his bike and rode into the nearest town. He intend to show and to apply for a patent for his wonderful innovation. When at long last, he reached the town, he shocked to see thousand of bicycles zooming along in the drizzle. Under the grey skies, he then suddenly dies of a heart attack. I don't believe there is a any truth to this story, even though it is worth considering... Anyway I have stolen it from Hasse...
All songs on XII sibiriska cyklar are created by Lars Hollmer, except the lyrics of "Ung Harald" which was written by Dan Andersson and performed by Tomas Ladberg.
XII sibiriska cyklar was recorded in the Chickenhouse outside Uppsala, on Teac 8 track recorder, in June through October 1980 and in March 1981. "Kamelsväng" is a home recording from 1975 and "litet Piano" was recorded on a cassete recorder in 1976. The final mix was made on one hot day and night by Anders Lind and Lars Hollmer in the MNW Studio, in April 1981, and later in the Chickenhouse by Lars Hollmer.
XII sibiriska cyklar was originally released on vinyl by Silence Records in the summer 1981.

Vill Du Höra Mer was recorded during the Spring 1982 (with one exception) in the Chickenhouse, on the same old 8 track recorder. It was mixed by Tomas Gabrielsson and Lars Hollmer in the Chickenhouse, in July 1982. All instruments and vocals by Lars Hollmer, except on "180 sekunder hemma" where Alva, Gabriel, Johannes Strand/Hollmer and Saralotta Jönsson take part.



Tracks 1-13: XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Tracks 14-28: Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)

01 - Avlägsen Strandvals
02 - Piano De Jugugte
03 - Hajar Du Idealfamiljen
04 - Endlich Ein Zamba
05 - Inga Pengar
06 - Kamelsväng
07 - Ja Änte Flöttar Ja Te Sjöss
08 - Boeves Psalm
09 - Jag Väntar Pa Pelle
10 - Bluesen
11 - 44 Sekunder Köpt Speldosa
12 - Ung Harald
13 - Litet Piano
14 - Starlep Signs
15 - Sweet
16 - Indojazz
17 - Soldaten
18 - En Slags Orfeo
19 - Övergang
20 - Baldis
21 - Retsticka
22 - Dragfragment
23 - Glasmusik & Akarondo
24 - Kuckeliku
25 - Vill Du Höra Mer
26 - 180 Sekunder Hemma
27 - Humanoid Robottango
28 - Finalvals


Lars Hollmer: accordion, keyboards, drums & percussion, vocals, everything else 

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)
Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)

Lars Hollmer - Utsikter (Sweden 2000) [AvantProg] @320K

As the calendar moved from 1999 to 2000, the world looked forward to a new millennium and Lars Hollmer continued as he had for the past three decades — gathering with his musician friends at the Chickenhouse to make music that stands outside of time's passing fads. The result was another fine CD, Utsikter, the 11th disc to be released on Hollmer's KRAX label.
Sonically, Utsikter is one of the Swedish keyboardist/composer's lighter efforts, often tending more toward folk and even neo-classical chamber music flavors rather than prog rock, with his accordion and melodica featured more prominently in the mix than electronic keyboards.
The album also has more of a "band" feel than Hollmer's preceding solo CD, Andetag, recalling elements of the Looping Home Orchestra's Vendelted in its multi-instrumental arrangements, and perhaps foreshadowing Hollmer's next group, SOLA, although without SOLA's electric rock and even fusion edge.
Many longstanding Hollmer collaborators are important contributors to the overall sound, including several — bassoonist/oboist Michel Berckmans, violinist Santiago Jimenez, and bassist Wolfgang Salomon — who appeared on Andetag but play on a larger number of tracks here. The music is of consistently high quality throughout, beginning with the waltzing "Augustins Tema," whose theme first appeared in Hollmer's "Augustin Lesage," a 17-minute multi-tracked suite that closed out the Hardis Bruts various-artists compilation (dedicated to "raw art") on the In-Poly-Sons label.
The comparatively sprightly and detailed arrangement here features prominent violin, bassoon, recorder, and accordion; with its evocative melodies and rhythms skirting the edge between classical romanticism and sprightly European folk, this tune would prove lovely even when revisited again by the duo of Hollmer and violinist Yuriko Mukoujima on 2003's mini-CD Live and More, but the Utsikter version remains definitive thus far. Hollmer permits himself a few moments to cut loose on the melodica over a bubbling groove in the middle section of "Denglad," but as is often the case with him, most of the CD is thoroughly composed.
The intro to "Ambler" is anthemic in its writing yet understated in its delivery — Hollmer at his most quietly powerful — but the tune then segues into an upbeat dance rhythm in a fashion that might surprise only those unfamiliar with this composer's many left turns. "Lädereld" ambles along the trail in 5/4 cowboy mode, echoing Lasse's earlier "Starlep Signs" (minus the yodeling!), while the 7/8 "Südaf" improves on the rougher yet still appealing version first heard on the Vandelmässa CD (and also performed beautifully, complete with a wordless vocal part by Maria Kalaniemi, on the Accordion Tribe CD Sea of Reeds). It should be noted that Utsikter has no "drummer" per se (which may have been the impetus for a jokey track like "Drums, mm...," featuring Hollmer earnestly explaining the positive features of the skins over his decidedly arrhythmic electronic drum bashing). Yet Utsikter is often highly percussive, drawing comparison to Zamlaranamma by the original Von Zamla quartet, which also featured percussion instruments but no one sitting behind a conventional kit.
In fact, "Voilapük" — which first appeared on the Volapük album Polyglot in 2000 with a guest appearance by Hollmer — sounds like a Von Zamla rendition with its bassoon and accordion embellishments, its bed of insistent rattling percussion, and a driving 7/8 meter on the vamp. At the CD's conclusion, "Brev" is chamber music of delicate and wistful eauty, with an underlying two-note motif trailing off in search of resolution it never finds, and the brief title track has a feeling akin to a traditional Celtic air, with a beautiful unison oboe and accordion melody over Hollmer's orchestral keyboard backing. "Utsiker" segues into the final accordion/vocal lullaby "Nån Kanske Vet" ("Someone May Know"), as Hollmer once again demonstrates that writing and performing music of innocence, warmth, and charm is entirely consistent with artistic maturity. Only the immature would feel themselves too mature to enjoy Utsikter's gentle conclusion.
-by Dave Lynch-


01. Augustins Tema (4:06)       
02. Nåt (2:34)       
03. Drums..MM. (1:22)       
04. Denglad (3:21)       
05. Skum (3:00)       
06. Ambler (5:01)       
07. Lädereld (Leather Fire) (2:45)       
08. Nu Räcker Det (It's Enough Now) (1:19)       
09. Lelle Katta (Home Made Holiday) (2:18)       
10. Choleric in Geneva (Live) (0:56)       
11. Voilapük (3:02)       
12. Lat Minut (Lazy Minute) (1:05)       
13. Südaf II (3:53)       
14. Dron (4:28)       
15. Brev (Letter) (5:28)       
16. In Limbo (1:41)       
17. Utsikter...Nån Kanske Vet (Views...Someone May Know) (3:51)


Lars Hollmer: Guitar, Piano, Accordion, Drums, Keyboards, Programming, Whistle (Human), Melodica, Electronic Drums, Mandola, Choir, Chorus, Voices, Piano (Electric), Harmonium, Cymbals, Percussion
Coste Apetrea: Mastering, Six String Banjo
Wolfgang Salomon: Bass, Guitar, Bass (Electric), Bass (Acoustic)
Santiago Jimenez: Mandolin, Violin, Cajon
Matti Andersson: Flute
Michel Berckmans: Percussion, Voices, Gong, Horn (English), Bells, Recorder, Oboe, Bassoon
Kalle Eriksson: Trumpet
Rinda Strand-Hollmer: Choir, Chorus
Alva Strand-Hollmer: Choir, Chorus  

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)
Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)

Lars Hollmer & Looping Home Orchestra - Door Floor Something Window (Live 1992-93) (1993-Sweden) [AvantProg] @320

Lars Hollmer, Swedish king of all things with keys, leads his ongoing, ever-evolving orchestra -- this time starring Fred Frith on guitar -- through a tour of Canada, Sweden, and Germany over two years, no doubt delighting all audiences along the way. Hollmer's music is an amalgam of folk music styles from all over the European region, from polka to klezmer, rock, jazz, and even classical music. Tossed in to the mix is carnival music and incidental film music. Perhaps no one tune is more indicative of "Hollmermusik" than the opening track here, recorded at the Victoriaville Festival and called "Karusellmusik." Accordions, Jean Derome's saxophones, and the twin guitars of Frith and longtime collaborator Eino Haapla create the whirling give-and-take of the carnival carousel as Hollmer's accordion carries a melody worthy of a carny in a comedic horror film. 

Further is the notion of Hollmer's insistence that his music, no matter how out to lunch, be completely accessible for those who may be moved to dance by its pulsating rhythms and nostalgic melodies, even as it points directly into the future where the idea of "folk" music is quickly disappearing into the cross-cultural twilight of miscegenation. This is evident in the lovely vocal "Autumn Song," in which Hollmer's vocal sidles along Frith's shimmering guitar and Haapla's mandola with a concertina to bolster his lilting, frail voice. In its grain is the emotional toll of passage and memory, the knowledge of endings and their bittersweet reveries. This is followed by "Portaletyde," a cut-time dance tune that holds within it the polka and the waltz contained perfectly within the concertina and baritone saxophone.

Three repetitive lines call themselves into being along a melodic line that flows seamlessly from the previous number and pulls the listener into a "let's dance for tomorrow we die" mode of feeling, playing it through just enough times to make it plausible before launching into the operatic and episodic "Ett Tungt OK," a prog rock jam with crescendos that will knock you on your startled ass. Frith (on violin) and Haapla go head-to-head while Hollmer holds down the modal triads that serve as a melodic framework. There is drama, and then there is Hollmer's drama, full of pathos and dark emotion without resolution. The resolve doesn't come until the end of the record in a Fripp/Brian Eno move called "Timlig," where guitars, loops, and piano all meditate on the temporal nature of the riff, each one never quite ending as another takes its place.

Its droning feedback loops the only constant in a shifting mass of airy harmonies and dulcet tones and semi-quavers. A pianistic flourish takes the edge off the guitars temporarily, but this is a bone-cruncher of a finish. It's rock, experimental and otherwise, and you can dance to it if you know how to remove your backbone entirely. When the percussion enters the tune, the entire thing is awash in emotional chaos and somber processional grace. The baritone saxophone creates a melody out of thin air, staunchly striding ahead of the drones and feedback. It's a breathtaking, anthemic ending to a startling program.


01. Karusellmusik (3:28)
02. Utflykt Med Damcykel (5:13)
03. Franklat (2:59)
04. Quickstep (5:56)
05. Moloken (2:37)
06. Parallell Angostura (3:47)
07. Eyeliner (2:51)
08. Teatime (In Berlin) (4:37)
09. Höstvisa (Autumn Song) (5:04)
10. Portaletyde (3:23)
11. Ett Tungt Ok (4:52)
12. Zanzibar (2:55)
13. Plinga (6:55)
14. Finalvals (3:33)
15. Timlig (Temporal You Are) (5:08)

 
Lars Hollmer: Keyboards, Accordion, Melodica, Voice
Lars Krantz: Electric Bass, Electronic Drums [Midi Percussion], Glockenspiel
Eino Haapala: Electric Guitar, Mandola
Fred Frith: Electric Guitar, Violin
Jean Derome: Flute, Baritone Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Olle Sundin: Piano, Percussion

Tracks 1 to 3, 5, 6 recorded live in Victoriaville (Canada), track 4 in Uppsala (Sweden), track 9 in Linköping (Sweden), track 7 in Moers (Germany), track 8 in Berlin (Germany), track 12 in Hannover (Germany) and tracks 10, 11, 13 to 15 in Ulm (Germany).
Edited and mixed in the Chickenhouse II, Summer 1993.
Final mix at Studio 270, Montréal.

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)
Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)

Fanfare Pourpour & Lars Hollmer - Karusell Musik (Canada/Sweden 2007) [AvantProg] @224

Brilliant composer and accordionist Lars Hollmer performs his wonderful tunes with a 20 piece orchestra, with the arrangements by Jean Derome. Great melodies, wonderful orchestrations and arrangements and a the amazing sound that only a large ensemble can produce. Highly recommended!

"Recorded “live” in the studio, Karusell Musik delivers 17 compositions by and with Swedish accordionist Lars Hollmer, orchestrated by Jean Derome for the Fanfare Pourpour. The Fanfare — an authentic large dance ensemble like they don’t make ’em anymore, with a brass section, saxes, clarinets, guitars, banjo, accordions, violins, and percussion — invites you to discover or rediscover the songs and tunes of Lars Hollmer. Lars Hollmer has travelled the world with his timeless melodies full of naive beauty and dancing lyricism, in a number of musical projects. Egged on by Jean Derome, the Fanfare Pourpour embarked on this adventure with Hollmer. In October 2006, Hollmer was back on Québec soil for a week of rehearsals and recordings: the Fanfare backing up Lars; Lars writing for the Fanfare. A double rapture where the Swede’s tunes find a new home and the Quebecois Fanfare is given pieces that were clearly meant for it.

01 - Ännu Ingen Pelle
02 - En grekisk faster
03 - Änte Flöttar ja te sjöss
04 - Arvevals
05 - Karusell musik
06 - Inte Quanta
07 - Avlägsen strandvals
08 - Skiss Mellan Brest och Segosero
09 - Experiment
10 - Cirkus 1
11 - Cirkus 2
12 - Sarasnoa
13 - Eyeliner
14 - Det måste bli gjort
15 - Boeves Psalm
16 - Pompen
17 - Simfågeldans

 
Lars Hollmer: Accordion, Composer, Vocals, Voices, Melodica, English Translations 

Jean Derome: Flute, Piccolo, Sax (Alto), Sax (Baritone), Orchestration, Mixing, Musical Direction 
Luzio Altobelli: Accordion 
Lou Babin: Accordion 
Suzanne Babin: Clarinet 
Marie-Soleil: Bélanger Violin 
Eric Bernard: Guitar, Mandolin 
Guido Del Fabbro: Violin, Violone 
Jacques Duguay: Percussion, Grosse Caisse 
Normand Guilbeault: Bass, Contrabass 
Roy Hübler: Banjo, Guitar 
Nicolas Letarte: Cymbals, Caisse Claire 
Stéphane Ménard: Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor) 
Pierre Emmanuel Poizat: Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Vocals, Voices 
Jean Sabourin: Trumpet, Sousaphone, Trumpet (Bass) 
Pierre Tanguay: Percussion 
Némo Venba: Trumpet, Vocals, Voices 
Claude Vendette: Flute, Sax (Tenor)  

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)
Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)