LARS GULLIN – Lars Gullin (1953-55) / LP released - ?

Label: EmArcy – MG 36012

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: US / Released: ?

Style: Bop, Contemporary

Recorded in Stockholm on November 6, 1953 (A1, A2, B1, B2) and on January 26, 1955 (A3, A4, B3, B4).

All tunes also available on 45 RPM records EP-1-6121, EP-1-6122 and EP-1-6123.

A1 - Bugs .................................................................. 3:10

        (by – Lars Gullin)

A2 - Jump For Fan .................................................... 3:40

        (by – Lars Gullin)

A3 - Lars Meets Jeff ................................................. 5:20

        (by – Lars Gullin)

A4 - A La Carte ......................................................... 5:25

        (by – Georg Riedel)

B1 - Stock And Bonds ............................................... 4:05

        (by – Georg Riedel)

B2 - I Fall In Love Too Easily .................................... 4:25

        (by – Jule Styne / Sammy Cahn)

B3 - Manchester Fog ................................................. 3:30

        (by – Lars Gullin)

B4 - Soho .................................................................. 5:20

        (by – Lars Gullin)

Personnel:

A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2:

Lars Gullin (bs), Carl-Henrik Norin (ts), Rolf Berg (g), George Riedel (b), Alan Dawson (ds).

Recorded in Stockholm, Sweden on November 6, 1953.

A-3, B-3, B-4:

Lars Gullin (bs), Rolf Berg (g), George Riedel (b), Bo Stoor (ds).

Recorded in Stockholm, Sweden on January 26, 1955.

A-4:

same personnel, date and place, except Lars Gullin (bs, p)

Lars Gullin was one of the most famous baritone saxophonists from Sweden - actually he was elected the new star of the year (1954) by a board of critics, on baritone saxophone in the Down Beat Critics' Poll. Also, before the Critics' Poll, many US Jazz players who toured to North Europe noticed Lars Gullin's artistry - such musicians as Chet Baker, James Moody and Stan Getz played with Lars Gullin.

Like Gerry Mulligan, he doubles on baritone sax and piano (his piano comping at the keyboard can be heard on A-4). But of course his primary instrument is baritone sax. His tone is heart-warming as well as swingy - as Chet Baker recalled Lars in his late days “... Lars played with a lot more fire and a lot more authority in some ways than Gerry did ...”

This LP features two different sessions both recorded in Stockholm, Sweden by Metronome label. Listen to Lars' fruitful improvisations on B-1 - this track itself easily proves he was one of the best baritone players in Sweden.

Cover:

Gullin recorded prolifically, and a selection of covers from Birka-Jazz show modern retro design and furnishing, as well as some  dodgy Viking stereotyping. With so much output I was surprised to never have heard of him until now. May be like British jazz, Swedish jazz was mainly for domestic consumption. Anyway I have done my bit to raise the Swedish flag.

I keep looking with envy at that tiered seated theatre audience, the men all in suit collar and tie, accompanied by wives and girlfriends (possibly both in progressive Sweden).  Amazing. Venue and audience like this simply do not exist any more, another time and place.

Originally issued on a series of EPs in Sweden. Its a little bit crackly, but then it has had to survive the most grueling years for vinyl, the Fifties.

Note:

Source: London Suburban record store, neglected in a shelf, on account of there probably being hardly a soul in the 300,000 population of the borough who would know who Lars Gullin was, and be interested in vinyl. Inexpensive in the light of its VG condition. Heaven only knows how it made its way there.

_By LJC (August 1, 2012)

If you find it, buy this album!