Rune Gustafsson was a Swedish jazz
guitarist and composer, who played in his early times with famed clarinetist
Putte Wickman and Arne Domnérus bands. He gained recognition in the seventies
for composing Swedish film soundtracks like cult classic “The Man Who Quit
Smoking. He also contributed in two Zoot Sims recordings.
This entry covers his second record,
consisting on a bright ensemble of jazzy easy listening songs –as an exercise
to get rid of the freezing climate in Sweden- where the acoustic concerto
guitar is the main character.
There’s nothing outstanding yet it’s
a really nice listening experience, especially for the relaxed and joyful mood
it transpires. The guitar playing is pretty good and pleasant, in a Jim Hall
way. As said, guitar is mainly acoustic with the exception of few tracks where
he switches to electric. Rhythm section is well balanced in a sober way, including
piano, bass and drums. Arrangements are very nice too, with satisfying string
and brass sections.
Most of the songs are jazzy covers
of well-known pop songs like “California Soul”, “The Fool on the Hill”,
“California Dreaming” and “The Look of Love”. There are three Jim Webb classics
too. “Me on the See-Saw” is perhaps the most conventional jazz track of the
album, a good one indeed.
So don’t be fooled by the Swedish
climate, here we have a delightful easy-listening record, just perfect for a laid-back
mood contemplating the sunset!!!
Tracks
A1.California Soul (Nickolas
Ashford-Valerie Simpson)
A2. Wichita Lineman (Jim Webb)
A3. The Fool on the Hill (John
Lennon-Paul MacCartney)
A4. The Look of Love (Burt
Bacharach-Hal David)
A5. Me on the See-Saw (Pugh
Rogefeldt)
B1. Son of a Preacher Man (David
John Hurley-Stephen Ronnie Wilkins)
B2. California Dreaming (John
Phillips)
B3. Waltz-A-Nova (Bengt Hallberg)
B4. By the Time I Get to Phoenix
(Jim Webb)
B5. Up-up and Away (Jim Webb)
Personnel
Rune Gustafsson: Guitars
Kjell Öhman: Piano
George Wadenius: Bass
John Christiensen: Drums
George Riedel: Arrangements
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