A P.A.W.S. Page
A brave attempt at history writing by Christer Fridhammar - page (1)
64-65: A gifted young guitarist
named Bengt 'Bengan' Blomgren (b. 1948) is found playing it up with the
Fanes pop group, doing cover stuff by Kinks & Pretty Things etc.
Later on the group transforms
into Maybee and includes on bass the future jazz player and composer
Kjell Jansson and forthcoming Totta stalwart Bernt Andersson (ex-Moody
Types - his first band) on keyboards. And then:
67-70: The years of Ginhouse
Blues Group (Bengt Blomgren gtr + Bernt Andersson vo, keys,
harp + Kjell Jansson bs + Gunnar Pettersson dr). A milestone band.
They make a five track studio recording, but unfortunately nothing is issued.
What a shame!
Bengan elaborates: "This band was a free mixture of Chicago
blues (in the Junior Wells & Buddy Guy 'Messing With The Kid' manner) and
British blues (kinda Spencer Davis, some free stuff ā la Cream - but with a keyboard
of course). Spaced out - not blues by the book. Some Booker T-ish organ instrumental
as well. Bernt played some harmonica, too.
We were influenced by albums by Albert King and The Cream. Bernt was the record
collector.
I played an SG-style Gibson through a Marshall. Used a slide already. It was difficult
to get hold of a regular thick Gibson Les Paul Standard in Göteborg then.
Stockholm had all the fun guitar stores!
On Wednesday January 8 1969 Ginhouse Blues Group were support act at a
Jimi Hendrix Experience concert in Göteborg. That's where Calle Balonka snapped
the photograph above left!" Thanks to Bengan for the loan!
70 or 71: Sacrifice, a
shortlived powertrio with Bengt Blomgren gtr, Kjell Jansson bs
and Christer Öhman vocals and drums. Original material by Christer.
Anybody got a tape?
Bengan says: "Sacrifice sounded like "Nirvana meets
The Cream"!
Afterwards, Christer and I went on to Nynningen, but Kjell wanted to get into
jazz."
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Mail me at christer@fridhammar.com