Robert Broberg - "Robert sjunger Broberg" (1966/68)

Robert Broberg is a Swedish legendary artist I have always had an ambivalent relationship to. On the one hand, I have a great admiration and respect for his creativity, his talent with words and ability to write music. On the other hand, I have never been a big fan of humorous and "funny" music, where puns and wordplay are the main focus. And at least during the first part of his career, that was what he mostly was doing. He had a serious side also, and I like that one better, from a musical point of view anyway. He has created several very beautiful songs, when humor has not been the priority.

This is a compilation with a somewhat unknown release year. The record states 1966, but I have read online that several of the songs were written in 1967-68, so I guess the album was released around -68. The title means Robert sings Broberg. How it found its way into my collection is also somewhat unknown. I don't know if I bought it myself, based on the idea that a collection should contain something with Broberg, or if I got it as a gift.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of songs are the humorous kind, some perhaps almost burlesque creations, with an intense wordplay. And that's not my thing. And if you don't understand Swedish, these songs will probably be kinda meaningless to listen to. There is actually only one song I really like, and that is the beautiful love song Medan Årstider Kommer Och Går (While Seasons Come And Go). And since I either got the record as a gift, or paid max 2 bucks for it, just that song is worth the space the LP occupies in my shelf. The classic Båtsång (Boat Song) is a song somewhat between the humorous and serious, so that one's OK, too. And sure, Gummimadrassen (The Rubber Mattress) is fun, because an arrangement with bagpipe must be admired.

I've seen Robert Broberg live once, probably during the 1991 tour, in Uppsala. My mother and I were there, and it was a great concert. I don't know how many times he had to come in for encores. A beautiful musical memory, and I'm glad I saw him live. He died in 2015, and Sweden lost a strong creative force. He wasn't only engaged in music, but also visual art. But I have even less knowledge of that.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Båtlåt

2. Jag Är En Brygga

3. Taxifiket

4. Örat

5. Gummimadrassen

6. Pacifisten

7. Krigsfrossaren

Side B

1. Det Som Göms I Snö

2. Väderleksfelprataren

3. Snoriga Sture

4. Medan Årstider Kommer Och Går

5. Fantomen

6. Vi Har Ingen Lägenhet

7. Alla Springer Omkring Och Försöker Fånga Den Stora Kärleken