Saga. 1974 Sweden

Saga are a guitar based rock band founded by ex-November members. Great fuzzed-out bluesy guitar ferociously played over jazz, hard rock, folk, and progressive styled tunes, sung in the native tongue. Similar in sound to many of the 1970s Swedish groups, though this is quite a bit more expressive in places, taking it to a higher level. In fact, for the style, perhaps the highest level! How many bands from the modern era (especially from Scandinavia) have we heard trying to capture this very sound? Hear the real deal first, before sampling the imitators. The last two tracks are nothing short of phenomenal.

Ownership: LP: 1974 Sonet. Single sleeve. Acquired from a friend (2000). Beautiful cover.

 

1997 (first listen); 8/8/09 (review); 4/19/20 (update / new entry)