Sväng / Svang
RootsWorld: Home Page Link RootsWorld: Home Page Link
If you enjoy what you read here, please consider showing us a small bit of your love and support with a subscription!
Become a monthly supporter for the price of a cup o' joe or a nice dinner.
Choose Your Donation

Sväng
Sväng
Aito Records (www.aitorecords.com)

Sväng, the record label says, "is a refreshing and uplifting new phenomenon in the genre of harmonica bands." Frankly, I was unaware that harmonica bands had earned their own genre, but I'll leave that point to the experts. The point of this CD is to spread what I can only describe as wonderful and surprising music. The quartet begins with a slightly dissonent rising tone that leads to "Jampparaleele," a bouncy tune that sounds like an accordion being pulled in four directions at once.

Listen!
Then the tango melancholy of "Kaipaustango" with a completly different tone, grounded by a low, low bass harmonica. Then, when the swing of "Saaren Erakko" kicks in, any last suspicion fades that this is just a novelty band. Playing chromatic, diatonic, harmonetta, and bass harmonicas, Sväng achieves a balance and richness you might not expect. They move seamlessly from originals to traditional Romanian, Finnish, Russian, and Swedish tunes, even the American "Sandy Boys and Hangman's Reel." Sväng seems to cultivate a retro aura, from the sepia CD cover to their songwriting. You'll find no electronic effects here, and the concluding "Svängtime Rag" could be the soundtrack to an old silent comedy. If you're deadset against reedy music, steer clear. But open-minded listeners and harp fans will find a lot to like in this energetic and emotionally rich album. - Scott Stevens

CD available from cdRoots

CD available from cdRoots


Comment on this music or the web site.
Write a Letter to the Editor

Looking for More Information?



return to rootsworld

© 2005 RootsWorld. No reproduction of any part of this page or its associated files is permitted without express written permission.

World Music: worldmusic.nu