SAGAN OM RINGEN [AKA: MUSIC INSPIRED BY LORD OF THE RINGS]

One of the first ''progressive'' musicians from Sweden,BO HANSSON was born in 1943 in Gothernburg.During his early career,he was a member of a couple of rock'n'roll/blues bands,before expanding his musical horizons and focusing on Hammond organ.By late 60's he begun writing an instrumental concept based on J.R.R. Tolkien's ''Lord of the rings'',which was released in 1970 under the Swedish title ''Sagan om ringen''.The album gained great success and it was re-realeased in 1972 through Charisma Label with its English title and this is exactly the version presented here.''Lord of the rings'' is a great example of personal-sounding early 70's organ-dominated prog rock.The music ranges from slight psychedelic smooth guitars to leading organ-driven symphonic-like prog,creating that way superb dreamy landscapes,like you're in a fairytale!The overall atmosphere is quite pastoral and mellow,the tempos are mainly slow,but that's the way this concept could actually work.A fantastic inventive concept effort by one of Sweden's masterminds!A fine purchase for all progressive rock followers!...actual rating...3.5 stars