STEFAN GUNNARSSON – ST (2010)

Only a few years back most people in Sweden didn’t know who Stefan Gunnarsson was.
Only die hard fans of westcoast pop and a number of first class session musicians knew of his fantastic skills as a musician.
This changed almost instantly as he took place in the TV show “Så ska det låta” (“That’s the way it should sound!”) where two teams compete around one piano player each. Stefan was one of them.

His first self-titled solo album however, has been in the making for many, many years.
Maybe we should be happy of Gunnarson’s fame, ‘cause this may have speeded up the finishing touches and the release of this CD.

So what do we have here then?
Well, if you are a big fan of soft AOR and artists like MICHAEL RUFF or TIM FEEHAN – this one’s surely for you.
Don’t get me wrong; I am not saying Michael Ruff means soft AOR – no at all. But most of the songs on this CD are more light AOR oriented than I expected, while the ones filled with some soul/westcoast vibes do remind me a lot of Ruff.

A perfect example is “Let The Gods Do Their Work”, where the verse could’ve been taken from the ‘Full Contact’ album by Tim Feehan, whereas the chorus is prime time Michael Ruff. It also has a nice smooth vibe at the end.
All of you who bought the ANDREAS ALEMAN album last year will feel at home in “As you go along”, where there’s also some AIRPLAY and EARTH WIND & FIRE influences as well.
Other recommendations are “Reflections” (like Warren Wiebe meets SADE) and the wonderful upbeat tune “Fine day” (lots of Tim Feehan, Don Henley and CHICAGO here!).

There is not one single weak track here.
The list of musicians will not bring you any names you recognize – but do not fear. These are all Swedish super players, and Gunnarsson is actually involved on ALL instruments you can think of, with the exception of horns.

STEFAN GUNNARSSON’s debut is a very good piece of music.
It is a charming WestCoast / Lite AOR / Pop oriented feel-good springtime music that will warm you after this long and pretty cold winter.
And if you aren’t convinced yet – Stefan is an excellent singer too!

01. Better Things To Do
02. As You Go Along
03. All Of My Might
04. Bring Me Down
05. Fine Day
06. Reflections
07. Stop, Look, Listen
08. First In Line
09. Words are Not Enough
10. Gotta Find It
11. Let The Gods Do Their Work
12. Things I Didn’t Say

Stefan Gunnarsson: Electric Guitar, Acoustic guitar, Yamaha MotifHS, Percussion, Coke bottle, Background vocals, Wurlitzer electric piano, Hammon Organ, Rhodes MkII, Bass, Trumpet, Drums, Yamaha DH7

Eric Bernholm: Electric Guitar, Acoustic guitar, Drum programming
Göran Eriksson: Electric Guitar, Background vocals
Johan Granström: Bass
Rasmus Kihlberg: Drums, Percussion
Anna Alerstedt: Background vocals
Bo Strandberg, Dan Johansson, Peter Dahlgren: Horns
Sigurd Löf: Tenor and Alto Sax