Folk & Rackare

Formed in 1972 by two musicology students at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, the Swedish-Norwegian folk group began when Carin Kjellman, handling vocals along with dulcimer, recorder, guitar and psalterion, teamed with Ulf Gruvberg on vocals, guitar, bass, cittern, mandolin, crumhorn, jew’s harp and percussion to explore traditional Swedish material. Their two duo albums drew on an assortment of folk and jazz players for support, yet the decisive expansion arrived in 1976 when former Folque members Jørn Jensen, credited with mandolin, dulcimer, bassoon, psalterion, guitar, percussion, jew’s harp and vocals after appearing on the second record, and Trond Villa, who contributed fiddle, hardingfiddle, crumhorn, mandolin and vocals, joined as permanent additions. The enlarged lineup incorporated Norwegian ballads and melodies while shaping a signature sound built on intricate vocal harmonies, electric and medieval instruments, and Kjellman’s striking voice. Several major European folk festivals hosted them during the late seventies, after which the Christmas-carol collection Stjärnhästen preceded a four-year hiatus. Their return came in 1985 with the final album Rackbag, which included guitarist Richard Thompson and reflected the combined influence of the Albion Band and its offshoot Home Service. Throughout most of the eighties Gruvberg hosted the roots-music program Trender Och Traditioner on Swedish National radio (SR) and later assumed control of its rock-focused third channel, P3. That same year Kjellman issued a solo album featuring covers of material by Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson, while Jensen and Villa have continued their engagement with Norwegian folk music.