A P.A.W.S. Page
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This gentleman is a firm favourite of ours: Bengt Blomgren, long time guitarist
of Totta's Bluesband from Göteborg. The band was very active during the 80's and issued several albums on the local NACKSVING label.
Popular live act with gruff Totta Näslund on vocals in focus. Still,
the gaunt Bengt Blomgren had/has a massive following of his own. Band has
splintered off in different directions (Totta himself is after all these years
commercially successful with solo albums of more mainstream material) but
can very well reform for a one-off gig - sometimes under the name Hot'n'Tots! Nowadays Mr. Blomgren can also be found on stage: - alongside Mats Ronander in his Little Big Band (a formidable guitar twosome!) which also features ex-Tottas bassist Nikke Ström - supporting Ola Bjurman, playing J.J. Cale influenced low key blues rock - as treasured sideman to Ola Magnell or perhaps Ulf Dageby. Both excellent singers/songwriters. |
(Camera Vanja 1985) |
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Always favouring maplenecked Stratocasters and Fender amps (a 60's black face Twin with two 12" Celestions - or a Pro Junior 15w for bar gigs: "Only two knobs: You can't go wrong!") plus his treasured MXR+ pedal,
Bengt Blomgren has a unique feeling for melody and a gorgeous tone
(think prime Clapton!). Also a tasteful slide guitarist. On a good night
he can outperform anybody - but that's not HIS attitude!
Always a bit subdued on albums, "Live At Renströmska" NACKSVING 031-40 (1981) is an exception. |
A friendly advice: Do NOT miss unique full-length interview with Bengt Blomgren in issue number 1, Feb. '98 of ambitious Swedish guitar magazine "Fuzz"! Bengt speaks at length about his career and his preferences in music and musical hardware. Read on the website of FUZZ Magazine. This is not an interview to be missed! (Interview in Swedish language.) | |
| Christer & Vanja remember wistfully: "We caught Mats Ronander & the Little Big Band at Nefertiti, Göteborg on May 22, '98. Bengan Blomgren (sporting a semi-solid Telecaster and a tweed Fender) had a field day and astounded us all. Lots of slide, lots of 'Brit Blues' sounds. Mr. Ronander (no slouch on guitar himself) concentrated on vocals and harp but still played some rebel rousing solos. "Hey Bengan: If I do this, what can you do?!". The set list consisted mainly of blues, J.J. Cale, Dylan and Hiatt - these gents got taste. The audience generally went bananas. And Nikke Ström went bandanas, dancing around (yes!) looking more happy than ever. At your own peril: do not miss them next time around!" | ||
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 Finally
-The new remastered CD collection with Totta's Bluesband history: The long awaited "Sittin' On Top Of The World" MNW CD 2008 appeared in the shops in March 2003. 20 well selected tracks plus a booklet on band's history written by music scribe Håkan Lahger. Grab it while it exists! |
 Nationalteatern: "14 Klassiker". Budget sampler. Cover depicts lineup of reunion tour - and includes Bengan!
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| Mats Ronander Official Site with interesting stuff on Bengan! | ||