Spjärnsvallet

Posted 2014-10-09

Spjärnsvallet was formed in the early seventies when Bengt Berger, who had studied music in India (and was on his way to Ghana), met Christer Bothén who had learned in Mali (and was on his way to Morocco) for a long collaboration with Don Cherry starting 1973 in New York where INNOCENCE is recorded. This was the starting point for the group with Nikke Ström and Kjell Westling. In 1975 we recorded the minor classic album Spjärnsvallet together. Some material that was not released then or was shortened to fit the LP format makes up the rest of this album plus a recording the three of us did just now: AGAIN – in remembrance of deceased multi instrument genius Kjell Westling, where we improvise around a couple of the tunes we used to play 40 years back.

The Gothenburg label Omlott has licensed Again and Again and will release a vinyl version with their own cover art on May 20. On the same day we make the album available on Spotify and other streaming sites.

Spjärnsvallet played two release concerts in 2015, one at Rönells in Stockholm on May 19 and one at Folkteatern in Gothenburg on May 20. In both concerts we had the pleasure of having Goran Kajfes and David Stackenäs playing with us. In mid june we performed at the Psykjunta festival and on december 11 and 12 we will play in Aarhus and at Global in Copenhagen. Here is the vinyl cover:

Here is the opening piece “Pryllåten” by Christer Bothén from our vinyl release concert on May 19, 2015:

Danish filmmaker just did a video where Spjärnsvallet plays Desireless from our 1975 recording.