LEE HAZLEWOOD/COWBOY IN SWEDEN LHI 3101 (-70) SWEDEN

Issued as soundtrack to a TV-show Hazlewood did for Swedish television 1970. But forgetting about the origin and just listening to it as a regular LP today it remains as a very well done oddity and to my taste one of his best. It's often described as psychedelic country music. I wouldn't go that far, but the dreamy song structures and often adventurous orchestral arrangements gives it a depth I'm happy to sink down and stay with. His old muse Suzy Jane Hokum sings one track - "For a Day Like Today" - and for three more he does duets with a new one - Swedish vocalist Nina Lizell. One of the latter - "Vem Kan Segla" (I Can Sail Without The Wind) is an old traditional tune, sung softly in Swedish by Lizell while Hazlewood is translating the lyrics to English with a dark gruff voice. The effect is operative and it also became a domestc hit. Other favorites - "No Train To Stockholm", "What's More I Don't Need Her" and "The Night Before". To me an album impossible to identify with one genre alone. It's not really country, psych only in the broadest sense of the word, and though sweet and soothing very far from easy listening. One of a kind and as such highly recommended. Originally also issued on Swedish cassette and 8-track and vinyl in US and Downunder. US 2016 limited ed. CD on Light In The Attic (LITA 153) came with two bonus tracks, film DVD, a colored vinyl and movie poster. Premiere Swedish had label as shown here on thick vinyl in a laminated fold/out cover. (FÄV*) (CCÖ*) (ZÖNT*)