Merit Hemmingson is a living legend from Sweden, and was very important in the revitalizing of folk music at the end of the 60’s – at least here in Scandinavia. ‘Trollskog’ (with the subtitle ‘Mer Svensk Folkmusik På Beat’) was her fifth album, and maybe her very best. It’s a bit hard to describe her music, but I guess one could call it folk with a twist. It’s certainly not one dimensional stuff. Merit Hemmingson obviously owes a huge debt to the brilliant jazz pianist Jan Johansson (also from Sweden), but she’s is also inspired by classical music and of course traditional Nordic folk music. That said, she has her own sound – and that is a sound I simply never tire of. The album consists of two suites, that both feature the aforementioned styles, but always within a folk framework. ‘Trollskog’ actually opens with a very funky (!) track called ‘Mandom Mod Och Morska Män’. This one swings! Then you ar taken on a journey through simply wonderful melodies. Despite the big stylistic divergence that is on display here, it all flows beautifully. Some parts are totally laidback and floating, other parts are more uptempo and cheerful, before she changes to grand and majestic themes. And it’s all excellently played. Merit is a brilliant organ player, and here she also plays piano, elpiano, cembalo, moog synthesizer and vibrafon. She also has a band with her, so this album is instrumentally rich and adventurous. One could absolutely call it progressive folk. You’ll also hear some vocals from Merit from time to time, and although not a vocalist per se, she has a very charming way of singing. There are some humour here as well, especially on ‘Fyllepolska Från Jät’ – a cheerful ode to liquor drinking! There is no need to mention all the ‘songs’ on this album (personally I see the whole album as one big composition), but I have to mention ‘Fäbodpsalm Av Oskar Lindberg’, that opens the second side of the LP. The melody on that one is simply to die for, and the way this composition builds and builds until it all explodes with mighty church organ… pure magic. Music cannot in my eyes get more powerful and hauntingly beautiful than this! That said: There isn’t ONE weak moment on ‘Trollskog’. It’s simply one of my favourite albums ever – regardless of genre. Extremely recommended!
Merit Hemmingson – Trollskog (Columbia 1972)
