(Clicka qua per la versione Italiana)
Bo Hansson, a multi-instrumentalist from Goteborg (Sweden), who had already released
three albums with the duo Hansson & Karlsson, composed
Sagan Om Ringen (1970), reissued as
Lord Of The Rings (Buddah, 1972), an original take on psychedelic,
gothic, progressive and electronic rock. Hansson played almost all the
instruments, including the synthesizer. The resulting sound of the 12
impressionistic vignettes was unique, predating both Brian
Eno's electro-pop and new age music, mixing folk, classical, jazz and pop
one year before Mike Oldfield.
The jazz element is stronger on Magician's Hat (1972), which is more of
a group effort and includes lengthier tracks (Big City).
A more ambitious production (with an impressive cast of keyboards) bestows on
Attic Thoughts (1975) a Yes-like grandeur. This would remain a classic
of symphonic rock, at least as far as "sound" goes.
Bo Hansson died in april 2010 at the age of 67.
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