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Jonas Knutsson: Blaslatar
ByBlåslåtar may be not just his best yet, but one of the finest albums made by any saxophonist in a very long time. Knutsson plays no less than 31 folk songs from a large swathe of Swedenoriginal music written for and almost never played on anything but the traditional fiddle and nyckelharp. Both instruments can be played with limitless glissandi and vibrato, because they are stringed instruments and require that the musician use only his fingers and hands, parts of the body that can be taught to play at various speeds, continuously, for a very long time. What Knutsson does here, however, is nothing short of miraculous, as he has commanded his body to breathe according to his whim and not involuntarily as most humans do. This goes well beyond the circular breathing that saxophonists such as Pharoah Sanders practice. So breathtaking is his playing, with such soaring glissandi and fluttering vibrato, that it is impossible to discern the pause for breath. Of course he does, or he would certainly turn blue and die. However, whether he is playing soprano or sopraninohis instrument of choiceor even baritone, which he does on "Min levnads afton, Bingsjo, Dalarna" and "Polska fran Skog, Skog, Halsingland," Knutsson is able to almost perfectly mimic the swinging and sliding of the nykelharp and the fiddle.
Knutsson is also one of the most expressive saxophonists playing today. Combine this with his flawless technique and Knutsson becomes an artist in the Liszt tradition. His playing may not be dramatic as Liszt's was, but with deepoften achingemotion he is able to summon feelings from the very depths of his soul. This might put Knutsson in the same league that was once occupied only by Charlie Parker and John Coltranenot only in terms of sheer mastery of technique, but also when it comes to innovation and creativity. Geographically challenged Americans might cry blasphemy, but then they probably did when Gismonti arrived on the scene too.
Track Listing
Polska efter Tomas Anders, Alvdalen Dalarna; Koiklaten, Skarvsjoby, Lappland; Hinders Jerks polska, Bingsjo, Dalarna; Hambraeuspolsken, Orsa, Dalarna; Polska efter Junkas Jonas, Bingsjo, Dalarna; Polska efter Karns Hans, Orsa, Dalarna; Polska efter Mats Hanson, Alvdalen, Dalarna; Lorikspolska nr. 1, Orsa, Dalarna; Jemsken, Alvdalen, Dalarna; Min levnads afton, Bingjo, Dalarna; Polska fran Skog, Skog, Halsingland; Polska Per-Johan Arnstron, Basksjo, Lappland; Polska efter Knuter Jon, Ore, Dalarna; Magdalenapolskan, Smaland; Grins Hans jasspodspolska, Rattvik, Dalarna; Nordlandssommer, Asle, Lappland; Lat efter Taklax, Korsnas, Osterbotten; Orsa Storpolska, Orsa; Gammal polska e Blekos, Orsa, Dalarna; Polska efter Jon Marsen, Baskele, Lappland; Lappolska, Asle, Lappland; Lillpolskan, Orsa, Dalarna; Polska efter Pekkos Per, Bingsjo, Dalarna; Polska efter Pers Olle, Rattvik, Dalarna; Snygg Olles Polska, Rattvik, Dalarna; Tokpolskan, Bingsjo, Dalarna; Forslundspolskan, Orsa, Dalarna; Polska fran Barseback, Barseback, Skane; Om Dagen, Vilhemina, Lappland; Baggbolebakens klagan, Umea, Vasterbotten.
Personnel
Jonas Knutsson
saxophoneJonas Knutsson: sopranino, soprano, alto and baritone saxophones.
Album information
Title: Blaslatar | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Country and Eastern
Comments
About Jonas Knutsson
Instrument: Saxophone
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