Lazy Afternoon

Gotlandic Lazy Afternoon plays lovely rocking americana. The band gives you lovely songs, great harmony singing, howling electric guitar and hot, rytmic accordeon. And so the Irish bouzoukin of course. All in all, this creates Lazy afternoon and a sound that makes it hard to sit still.

Rootstime, Belgium magazine/website
"It is not expected that country, folk, Americana, Cajun and Tex-Mex music will be performed by a Swedish group of musicians. Yet this is the trademark of the band 'Lazy Afternoon' from singer-songwriter Bo Ahlbertz from Visby, Gotland with Cristina Säfsten (lead vocals and backing vocals), Jörgen Ahlqvist (accordion and melodeons), Lars Johansson (bass guitar), Maria Nordseth ( percussion and backing vocals), Pontus Nordborg (electric and acoustic guitar) and Stefan Magnusson (drums) as other band members.

Their first album with songs in such music styles appeared in the summer of 2016 under the title "Whatever!" Two years earlier, Bo Ahlbertz had already released an album with similar music via an album that was then entitled "Lazy Afternoon". Both records could count on a lot of windfall and positive comments here at "Rootstime". That is why we were happy to be able to review their second album "Almost Home".

Cristina Säfsten kicked off this time with the song "Make Love Real" composed by herself. The majority of the twelve songs on this album, however, were again provided with lyrics and music by Bo Ahlbertz. The accordion played by Jörgen Ahlqvist and the ten-string Irish bouzouki used by Bo Ahlbertz are prominent in almost all the songs on “Almost Home”.

That is the case with the album title track, country rock song "Rocking Chair", the songs "Every Time" and "All This" sung by Cristina Säfsten and with the "Don't Worry" and "Never Meant To Be". The typical New Orleans Cajun atmosphere is radiated in "Water" and in the live song "The World Is Her Home".

Dancing is therefore absolutely recommended when hearing songs such as "Locked", the "Sunshine" brought to a sunny reggae tune and the waltz "These Words Are True" beautifully closed in "Ry Cooder meets Flaco Jimenez" style. "Almost Home" is another top album of this Swedish seven in "Lazy Afternoon", their second album but certainly not their last."

Rootstime, Belgium magazine/website

No Depression

Lazy Afternoon – Everytime / Water – Single – Independent

A single (2-song) effort out of Sweden opens with accordion and a female vocalist Cristina Safsten that is so folk-enriched you’d think she’s from the family of some backwoods Appalachian singing family. She has a Joan Baez tone but also has the beauty of Joan’s younger singer the late Mimi Farina and a pinch of Susan Osborne (Paul Winter Consort – “Lay Down Your Burden”). This is a beautifully performed track and Cristina’s voice is the kind you never tire of listening to. Attractive. Strong. The backup is full choir on “Everytime,” and it’s vibrant. Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, Joy of Cooking, Fotheringay, -- all in the past but they all come to mind. Engaging stuff and the musicians are all exceptional.

Bo Ahlbertz sings “Water,” and then Cristina joins him. While Bo’s vocal is more middle-of-the-road pop (think: Billy Vera), the contrast between Bo and Cristina is well executed. Pontus Nordborg takes a clean lead guitar solo followed by a fiery Jorgen Ahlqvist on accordion. But it’s Cristina who continues to shine among these fine musicians. I am suspect – I think this band can produce some interesting, diversified, creative and original songs so an EP at only eight short minutes is more like a tease. It does leave you wanting more. And that’s a good thing.

by John Apice
October 16, 2018
No depression