Jag vet en dejlig rosa (A Beautiful Rose): Come Rain or Come Shine
Stockholm Voices is a Swedish jazz vocal quartet who join the company of The Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices and the newly minted London, Meader, Pramuk and Ross. But, Stockholm Voices brings something very different to the tables in the way of a retrospective style. Rather than the bebop lightening bolts thrown off by the greater field of jazz quartet vocals, the Stockholm Voices harken back to a time when the Mills Brothers and the Andrews Sister were developing their swing chops before and during World War II. Tight harmonies that lilt and sway. No stringent eighth notes here, just clear harmony (almost) conservatively rendered.
It is a gas to hear the title tune in English followed by the traditional "Jag vet en dejlig rosa (A Beautiful Rose)." The melody will be readily recognized by the listener. Placing it is another thing altogether. It is (necessarily) a Scandinavian melody best suited for the holidays. The Stockholm Voices summon an image of standing around a warm bonfire drinking Glühwein and the family Christmas party. Lush and soft are the harmonies, tightly conscripted in an a capella introduction that gently slides into a waling bass and brushed snare drum and block chords. Ensemble scat singing reaches a new level of competency, as if the aforementioned Mills Brothers and Andrew Sisters riffed on some reefer, put their dark glasses on to blow, mighty, blow.
It is a gas to hear the title tune in English followed by the traditional "Jag vet en dejlig rosa (A Beautiful Rose)." The melody will be readily recognized by the listener. Placing it is another thing altogether. It is (necessarily) a Scandinavian melody best suited for the holidays. The Stockholm Voices summon an image of standing around a warm bonfire drinking Glühwein and the family Christmas party. Lush and soft are the harmonies, tightly conscripted in an a capella introduction that gently slides into a waling bass and brushed snare drum and block chords. Ensemble scat singing reaches a new level of competency, as if the aforementioned Mills Brothers and Andrew Sisters riffed on some reefer, put their dark glasses on to blow, mighty, blow.
Personnel
Gunilla Tornfeldt: soprano; Maria Winther: alto; Alexander Lovmark: tenor; Jakob Sollevi: baritone; Klas Lindquist: alto saxophone, clarinet; Mikael Skoglund: piano; Svante Soderqvist: bass; Calle Rasmusson: drums.
Album information
Title: Come Rain or Come Shine | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Self Produced
Tags
Jag vet en dejlig rosa (A Beautiful Rose)
CD/LP/Track Review
Stockholm Voices
C. Michael Bailey
Self Produced
Sweden
Stockholm
Manhattan Transfer
New York Voices
Come Rain or Come Shine