Carin Kjellman & Ulf Gruvberg – Med Rötter I Medeltiden (Sonet 1974)

These two are legends within Swedish folk/folk rock. They formed the band Folk och Rackare, that released some classic albums in the 70’s. But Kjellman and Gruvberg also released this gem under their own names. On the album ‘Med Rötter I Medeltiden’ (‘With Roots in the Medieval Ages’) they tried to capture how the everyday life could have been for ‘the common men and women’ in those times. Of course for most people back then, life was hard work. But people had music then too, and I guess the music back then was, generally speaking, a more directly integrated part of peoples lives then than now. That it could help people communicate what they felt at various times. Of course we don’t know if the actual music back then was as portrayed on this great album, and Kjellman and Gruvberg point out this themselves, but personally I think it wasn’t all that different from what you hear on ‘Med Rötter I Medeltiden’. It sounds very authentically medieval to these ears. The songs are short, but poignant and heartfelt. It’s also a very even album. I like every single song on it. It starts with ‘Ankomstsång’, where Kjellman and Gruvberg – in the same way as Steeleye Span did on their legendary debut album – tell us listeners what they aim to achieve. They want to tell us of both the joys and struggles of the common people, and that is exactly what they do. The song is upbeat and cheerful. But other songs are more moody, like the excellent ‘Liten Kersti Stalldreng’, ‘En Sjöman Han Får Slita Ont’ and not at least the closer, the epic ‘Ebbe Skammelson’. The latter is my favourite on the album. It’s a bloody tale, and the music reflects this. It features truly fantastic singing and harmonies, but that can be said about the whole album. ‘Brännvin Är mitt Enda Gull’ is on the other hand a humorous ode to (or is it a warning?) strong liquor! Great fun. I really like this album, and so will every fan of medieval folk. Highly recommended!