Cybergrass Bluegrass Music News: Roger and the Rockets Release New Swedish Americana CD 'Walking band'

BMNN wrote: on Dec. 13, 2009:
Walking band Cover

Ornskoldsvik, Sweden -- Walking band is the second CD of the band from Ornskoldsvik-Sweden. The recordings were made at Tonteknik Recording in the neighbouring town Umeå. Once again friends and fellow musicians gathered to record songs from their extensive catalogue. The new CD is the follow up to their debut album Unknown man which was recorded and released in 2008.

One charming addition to the new album is the vintage instruments that were used for the first time. Roger is an avid collector of vintage odd stringed instruments and gear. The album features an 1890 Viola da Terra, a 1920 Banjolin, a harp-guitar from around 1900 and ancient Vega tube amps from the 30's to name a few. Most of the old instruments used were restored to a playable condition by Roger himself before the recordings.

The lyrics of the 13 original songs are all short and to the point and talk about loneliness, love, politics and everything in between. Some of the lyrics are deep, like the bluegrass tune "Crash & burn", and some, like the title track Walking band, are meant for nothing but fun. "Red robed Jesus" has a Christmas theme, albeit from a very twisted viewpoint. Roger has always had a thing for old time American music and shares the same roots as the folksingers of the 60's. Songs are written in almost all Americana styles, and over 50 songs were reviewed before the final track list for the album was chosen.

"Sweden's own Americana superstar, Roger Häggstrom, is back with his Sgt. Pepper opus, Walking band – Garageband"

"A memorable and simple melody and a fresh topic for the lyrics is the basis for all my songs", says Roger. "The goal is to make songs that have a distinct profile, too much of the music I hear just doesn't cut it if you strip away the production values. The songs I make must sound good with just a voice and a guitar", he says. Two of the songs are in fact stripped down to a voice and a strumming guitar, the old school protest song "One United State" and the very last tune on the CD, "Don't feel sorry".

For more information on Roger Haggstrom and his band Roger & the Rockets, visit:
Band homepage: www.raketerna.se
MySpace: www.MySpace.com/RogerRockets

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