From: Mark Fonda <>
Bo Hansson - Lord of the Rings (1970) and Magician's Hat (1972): I just got these on CD...
hadn't listened to them since I had them on vinyl years ago... Magician's Hat is the
better of the two and has certainly stood the test of time... anyone else agree?.
From: "Grant Penton"
<>
> Bo Hansson - Lord of the Rings (1970) and Magician's Hat (1972)
Nice to read a reference to this four-hit Swedish keyboard wizkid. I had those two
(actually released in '72 & '73), as well as the following Attic Thoughts (Charisma
'75) and Watership Down ('77- not the soundtrack to the animated movie, but well could
have worked). The first LP originally came with an LP sized great shot of Tolkein himself
sitting by a knarled tree, just to press the point that He inspired Hansson's composition.
As for the 2nd and 3rd, not as well crafted continuity, which was more evident on the
fourth. I haven't read of any reference to him in any mag since- and haven't found any
word about the early sessions with Hendrix mentioned on the cover of LOTR. I made a 90 min
compilation featuring all the first- which I consider the best despite the atrocious 8
track sound- and equal doses of the following three. Sometimes the guitar solos get rather
tedious, but there were great melodies throughout. LOTR is out on CD- which has a cover
claim of being extra long, but that's only because of bits of MH are added in to bring it
closer to an hour. No improvement in sound quality
unfortunately- you'll have to let your equalizer coax out what ever more depth it's
capable of. Grant
From: Mark Fonda <>
> Nice to read a reference to this four-hit Swedish keyboard wizkid. I had those
two (actually released in '72 & '73)...
As a matter of clarification, the CD's DO give 1970 and 1972 as the production dates,
although I have seen 1972 and 1973 elsewhere as the release dates. I wonder how it took
two years to get LotR out of the mixing room?! Anyone know what BH has been up to for the
last 20 years?
From: Mark Fonda <>
Bo Hansson is indeed still around... and maybe active again...
> Bo Hansson produced a series of instrumental albums in the seventies then went
quiet. Lord Of The Rings is exceptional and well worth a listen. The rest are less
inspired but still good. I have recently heard that Bo Hansson was rumoured to be very ill
and/or destitute for a time. I'm told there has been a report in a Swedish newspaper
saying that he is working again with Janne Karlsson, although it is not clear if anything
will be released or if there will be a tour. Peo Berghagen told me that Stockholm Records
in Sweden were rereleasing the first Hansson & Karlsson CD. It includes the
"Monument" album, the a-side of "Man at the Moon", one track from the
live album "Rex" and one track from their first single. It also includes a 16
page booklet with a new interview from February 1998. Full details at
<> thanks to Michael J. Cross.
There's a full discography and links for purchasing all his releases.
From: "Mochaen" <>
Subject: Bo Hansson's Mitt I Livet
Another question for the experts out there:
Amongst my many favourites of the 70s is Bo Hansson. I have all his stuff except
Mitt I Livet, apparently released in 1985. However, I have heard this one
described as "a turkey" by a Bo Hansson fan. That's warning enough, I
suppose, but can anyone who's heard it give me a proper review, and reasons why
it might be a turkey compared to his 70s releases? I want to know whether it's
worth spending hard-earned cash on it or not.
From: "Mochaen" <>
Subject: Re: If you do nothing else at this point (LOTR, no spoiler/off topic
for a moment)
Wade sayeth: > nothing real innovative. I've always had a big problem with
repetitive and annoying movie soundtracks. They spend so much money on the
special effects and always seem to overlook the music. I think this movie would
have been perfect for a prog band, especially considering the affection that
Tolkein has always been held in by most prog bands.
and Richard sayeth: I think Par Lindh sent a copy of Bilbo to Peter Jackson but
you know how it is everything these days must be swamped in lushness a la enya,
strings etc.
True. I've seen countless films which would have benefited
far more from prog or electronic or folk scores than the ubiquitous overblown
orchestral mode plus commercial song tie-in. Don't get me wrong, I love
orchestral music, but....
Even though I'm a Celt and love the folkmusic of my roots, Enya has never, ever
cut it for me. Would far and away prefer something like the Chieftains or, even
better, Alan Stivell. I could imagine the latter providing some interesting and
ethereal music for a LOTR film.
I know it's not universally loved by any means, but I still have a huge soft
spot for Bo Hanson's LOTR album. The two are inextricably linked in my mind
because I bought the record not long after first reading the book.
puffing Longbottom Leaf ian
From: "Richard Stockwell" <>
Subject: RE: If you do nothing else at this point (LOTR, no spoiler/off topic
for a moment)
>> I know it's not universally loved by any means, but I still have a
huge soft spot for Bo Hanson's LOTR album. The two are inextricably linked in my
mind because I bought the record not long after first reading the book.
Same here Ian hence I tend to think of Lord Of the Rings from the pastoral
side of its nature whereas as my mind doesn't remember the battle scenes ... or
blocks them out. I must be in denial.
From: David Eric Shur <>
Subject: Re: Iluvatar
Snap! LOL...must be a peacenik like me then. It's the pastoral side that sticks
in my mind as well...and Bo caught that, didn't he. Also the haunting, poignant
side such as in "The Grey Havens". Also always wished "Shadowfax",
with that ripping little guitar motif, was longer.
From: "upnsm0ke" <>
Subject: Re: prog names in Lord of the Rings
Bands who have penned songs/compositions/albums about Lord of the Rings, or even taken their name from a place/character,
etc., include:
Bo Hansson - Bilbo
Glass Hammer - Journey of the Dunadan + The Middle Earth Album
Galadriel & Rivendell (from Spain, you mentioned these two)
Marillion (of course, as in SILMarillion)
Moria Falls (UK neo-prog, I believe)
Gandalf (Austria)
Isildur's Bane (Sweden)
Par Lindh & Bjorn Johansson - Bilbo
Mordor (ok, I'm not sure about this one, but I wouldn't be surprised!)
Any others out there?
From: "Mochaen" <>
Subject: Re: prog names in Lord of the Rings
Jeez, I'm sure there is an enormous number of bands/songs/sites inspired by LOTR...this has the potential of being a lengthy thread. I won't add any
meself (listening to Brainticket at the moment so my head's in krautrock mode), except to say:
hey E-man, don't you mean Bo Hansson's "Music Inspired By Lord of the Rings", or was it released under the monicker "Bilbo" in the US? I always
thought that was Par Lindh's project.
Well, I said I wouldn't add any, but here's another one:
The Nazgul - s/t,
a 1975 release by a German band. Four tracks: "The Tower of Barad-dur", "The Dead Marshes", "Shelob's Lair", "Mount Doom", all about 12 minutes long
except the last at 9 minutes. Three bandmembers, named Frodo, Gandalf and Pippin. LOL!
From: "Tony Kennedy" <>
Subject: RE: prog names in Lord of the Rings
>Jeez, I'm sure there is an enormous number of bands/songs/sites inspired
by >LOTR...this has the potential of being a lengthy thread. I won't add any
Just look here. http://www.telia.lv/~witchcraft/jrrt/jrrt1.htm
From: "Wade C. Boring" <>
Subject: Re: prog names in Lord of the Rings
Sure enough - Iluvatar "Lord of All". Don't forget Shadowfax (Gandalf's
horse) and Valinor's Tree. I think there is a band called Barad Dur and one
called Angband too (goth predictably) and one named Lorien or Lothlorien. There
are probably more bands named after places and characters from LOTR than any
other book. If you include songs and albums it becomes even better. New one from
Glass Hammer (Middle Earth), old one from Glass Hammer (Dunedan), new one from
Mostly Autumn (Songs from LOTR), Bo Hansen, Sally Oldfield, Last Turion etc....
and don't forget Led Zeppelin