Following Contact's demise in late
summer 1972, Ted Ström swiftly embarked on a solo career. Some of
his songwriter characteristics prevailed. You can trace Contact's
well known folk influence also on his solo albums, especially in the
instrumentation of mandolin, clarinet, accordion etc.
Knut Teodor Ström (Grammofonverket,
1973)
Swedish vocals
International relevance: **
”Knut Teodor Ström” is not only
the title of Ström's first solo album, but also his full birth name.
The album was written shortly after Contact broke up. with some fine
musicians of which Göran Lagerberg, and Fläsket Brinner's Erik
Dahlbäck deserve a special mention, as does Björn
Holmsten adding a special nuance to the music with
his sax, clarinet and accordion. The album sounds what Contact could
have sounded like within a somewhat rockier framework. Fine
songwriting, with ”Anders Jansson, nyckelbarn”
(written with a little help from Ström's friends), ”Frost” and
the jazz tinged ”Tidig morgon” highlighting the set.
Kärva lägen (Manifest, 1977)
Swedish vocals
International relevance: **
With the formation of Norrbottens Järn
following ”Knut Teodor Ström”, it took Ström four years to
complete his second solo album, using Luleå band Rekyl as a back-up
band, and augmented by Nynningen's Tomas Forsell on guitar and
mandolin, and Christer
Ödberg on horns. Writes Ström about the album on his website (my
translation): ”The album is largely influenced by the time and
place; an interest in social issues and the environment of Luleå in
those days. Ray Davies and Randy Newman were my idols which is
obvious on the tracks 'Alkohol' and 'Idolen' which are translations
of songs of theirs.”
However,
the album opens with Ted Ström's own version of ”Låt i
framstegstakt”, originally written for Norrbottens Järn (released
on their 1977 album ”Järnet”). The reggae beat here
unfortunately doesn't do the song much good, and to be honest, ”Kärva
lägen” is generally not Ström's finest hour. It has some good
songs for sure but the album sounds dry and surprisingly unspired. Is
it because of Rekyl, or is it because it was mixed by Nacksving
producer Johannes Leyman?
För
evigt ung (Sonet, 1979)
Swedish
vocals, instrumental
International
relevance: **
Involving
Kornet might not look like a good idea on paper – they're probably
the most boring of all Swedish fusion bands of the 70's – but they
adapt well to the circumstances and don't let loose too many of the
instrumental acrobatics that make their own albums so unlistenable.
Lasse Englund also appears with his typical acoustic sound, but he
too is sympathetic to Ström's songs. Not all of them are good –
the title track is just dreadful, and the reggae influence spilling
over from ”Kärva lägen” is still awkward. But some songs are
fine, better than ”Kärva lägen” including the Dire
Straits influenced (yes, Dire Straits, you may stop choking now!) ”Vinterresa” bearing Ström's melancholy
stamp.
Ted
Ström has continued making records to and fro over the years. Monica Törnell's version of Ström's ”Vintersaga” became a
huge hit in 1984. One of the best songs Ström has written, so good you can hear the qualities even through the layers and layers and layers of production polishes smeared all over Törnell's recording.