Music Blog

Nordic Sounds: Sweden Calling

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

For today’s challenge, Jim at Song Lyric Sunday has asked us to write about a Scandinavian song and/or performer. This was a no-brainer for me; I couldn’t write about anyone other than the incredible Yngwie Malmsteen. Honestly, for many years I didn’t think there was any better guitarist than Ritchie Blackmore; then I heard Yngwie.

Born in 1963 in Stockholm, Sweden, Yngwie first became known in the 80s for his neoclassical playing style in heavy metal. In his career of more than 40 years (and still going), Yngwie has released 22 studio albums. In 2009 he was listed in Time magazine as #9 on its list of the 10 best electric guitar players of all time.

Really? There are 8 better guitarists than Yngwie? I wonder who they could be. Well, let’s take a look: in descending order starting with #8 they are – Les Paul, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, B.B. King, Slash, and Jimi Hendrix. I’ve got issues with this list. And where are Ritchie Blackmore, Eddie Van Halen, Matteo Mancuso, Henrik Freishlader, Tommy Emmanuel, Joe Bonamassa and Guthrie Govan, FFS?

Anyway ….

As a teenager, Yngwie was heavily influenced by classical music, particularly Paganini and Bach. During this time he also discovered his most important guitar influence, Ritchie Blackmore. Yngwie has sad that Hendrix had no musical impact on him and did not contribute to his style but seeing him on TV smashing and burning his guitar at the Monterey Pop Festival of 1967 was “really cool”.

Yngwie Malmsteen has been a member of Steeler, Alcatrazz, Hear ‘n Aid, G3 and is currently with Generation Axe. Addtionally, he has had side projects and made special appearances with many other groups and performers.

In a 2005 issue of Guitar Player magazine, Yngwie Malmsteen discussed his often-ridiculed behavior, saying that, “I’ve probably made more mistakes than anybody. But I don’t dwell on them. I don’t expect people to understand me, because I’m pretty complex, and I think outside the box with everything I do. I’ve always taken the untraveled path. Obviously, people have their opinions, but I can’t get too wrapped up in that, because I know what I can do, and I know what kind of person I am. And I have no control over what anybody says about me. Back in Sweden, I’m ‘Mr Personality’ in the tabloids, but obviously I can’t take that seriously. I know in my heart that if I do the absolute best I can do, maybe ten years from now people may turn around and say, ‘he wasn’t that bad’.”

Let’s get down to business and listen to some Yngwie tracks.

  • This is Yngwie Malmsteen playing “Allegro and Adagio” by Paganini with the Japanese Philharmonic Orchestra

  • While with Alcatrazz, here is “Lost In Hollywood” by Yngwie Malmsteen and Graham Bonnet

  • This is a real treat: Yngwie Malmsteen and Dio performing Aerosmith’s “Dream On”

The following is an interview with Yngwie Malmsteen and Rick Beato (the human music encyclopedia).

Nordic Sounds

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32 thoughts on “Nordic Sounds: Sweden Calling”

  4. Yngwie Malmsteen is new to me! I’m passionate about classical music – I listen to it for hours every day – and I enjoy a bit of heavy metal. To come across a guitarist who can combine both genres is simply amazing! I’m so pleased you introduced me to him.

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    1. Thank you, Keith. Thank you for your welcoming comments. I am the one who is pleased by the outcome of this introduction.
      I was raised in a home were music was a key part of our lives; I was exposed to many different genres and there are a scant few I don’t like. Metal is no different than any other music that is new to our ears. It’s simply a matter of opening our minds as well as our ears while listening.

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    1. Thanks, Glyn. While Graham Bonnet is in my top 10 list of favorite metal vocalists, Dio is the master. That video was something I found a while back and hoped I’d get to use it for something just like this. I’m glad you liked it, too.

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  9. I listened to a sample of each one. It’s always amazing what different sounds can be made with the same notes and the same instruments. I hope I never have to choose between being deaf or being blind. I do enjoy music and have an appreciation for all kinds.

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    1. Hi, David, and thank you for your comments.
      It was my great wish to present Yngwie to my readers
      and I’m delighted to have been able to introduce him to you.
      I realize heavy metal isn’t for everyone; it only take one person
      such as yourself to have an open mind to experience all it has to offer.
      Thank you, my dear friend, for taking the time to read, watch and reply. 💫

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      Reply

  13. Sunday night in eastern Australia! Having seen you comment at Dorothy’s I subscribed to you quite a few weeks ago but have truly lacked the time to come and say hello’ Saw your today’s post fly in – as I am Estonian-born with one Swedish grandmother – well, the title was evocative 🙂 !!! The long and the short and the tall of matters is that I have already reposted it to one group of friends and shall to many more in the morning . . . wow! wow! wow! And thank you !!!

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    1. Sunday morning in Northeastern NY and yours is the first comment I read today. I am beyond blown away by your incredibly kind, complimentary and generous remarks; I am also humbled and appreciative. I’m just a storyteller who loves music! You are most welcome, Eha. I am very grateful to have you here and thank you for your support. 💫

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