MUSIKGRUPPEN RAA – Musikgruppen RAA (Piglet, 1980)

 Swedish vocals, instrumental
International relevance: **

Musikgruppen RAA had existed for seven years when they released their debut album why they had enough time to amass material enough for a double LP. It's better than the follow-up ”Briggen Salta Anna”, but their idolization of The Incredible String Band is simply too much in-your-face and gets very annoying very soon. If you want ISB epigones, try UK band Forest instead.

The second disc in the set is more interesting as it's not all Robin Williamson and Mike Heron but reveals inspiration from East European folk music although they lack the authority of say RamlösaKvällar. Their version of trad tune ”Horgalåten” (known from Kebnekajse's excellent version) is fairly interesting despite some silly theatrical vocals, and I like ”Annas sång”. But it's not enough, and as Musikgruppen RAA are constantly two steps behind on just about everything they do, they end up a curious footnote to much better bands.

”Musikgruppen RAA” is along with ”Briggen Salta Anna” featured on the 2CD compilation ”RAAriteter” released in 1992 and expanded with bonus material.

Träd / Solbild / Oulistaï / Jag lever / Månkarbo-Nisse / Den heliga staden / Kajsas vaggsång / Solbild / Jungfrun i blå skogen / Så går det bra / Svart Per-Ola / Uralen / Pavanne / Flytande holländaren / Spelkarlen / Annas resa / Kycklingskocken / Horga / Gärdet / Kläpp-Konrads schottis/Finska polskan / L'oud / San Juanito / In nomine Padre et Filio / Od Granka / Ungerska vinskördedanser / Den besvikna flickan / Tamzara / Finstämt möte i O'Stemt

MUSIKGRUPPEN RAA – Briggen Salta Anna (Piglet, 1981)

Swedish vocals, spoken word
International relevance: *

Musikgruppen RAA began in 1973 and disbanded ten years later after a plentiful of shows in Sweden and abroad. They did reunite in the early 90's however and is still active. During their first lifetime, they also released two albums on the bizarre label Piglet, the epononymous album in 1980, and ”Briggen Salta Anna” in the following year.

”Briggen Salta Anna” is a story album about the brig of the album title, full of short songs, the shortest being only 22 seconds. It reveals two fundamental things about Musikgruppen RAA: their love for children's music their love for UK folk in general and The Incredible String Band in particular. (The reformed RAA released a full ISB tribute album in 2010.) What makes ”Briggen Salta Anna” a hard listen though are the many spoken bits that carry the story. It sounds more like a radio play for kids than an album to actually listen to. And the proper musical portions are nowhere as good as the British/Scottish counterparts that so greatly influenced them. The album is a curiousity at best, and adds to Piglet being one of the weirdest record labels.

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