"I think it's one of the best albums I've heard in a long while...'kiss the sad boy' is brilliant..that tune is stuck in my head.'Rag and bone rag' sounds like Ronnie Lane with Zep!.."
Guy Griffin - Quireboys
"Man that Rag-And-Bone cd is really great! The production is flawless, and Mats is such a brilliant singer. Good stuff man. Well done."
Jason Ringenberg - Jason and the Scorchers
WELCOME TO ALL THINGS RAG-AND-BONE
Guy Griffin - Quireboys
"Man that Rag-And-Bone cd is really great! The production is flawless, and Mats is such a brilliant singer. Good stuff man. Well done."
Jason Ringenberg - Jason and the Scorchers
WELCOME TO ALL THINGS RAG-AND-BONE
2011-11-08
Rag-And-Bone is supporting the fight against Parkinson's Disease by donating CD's to the organization "Shaking Generation".
Two autographed Rag-And-Bone albums is up for auction at Tradera.com NOW. The auction lasts until November 12.
Link: here.
Link: here.
2011-09-26
Some new gigs added.
2011-04-22
Some new gigs added.
2011-03-31
A new review is up over at www.capac.dk.
2011-01-10
Rag-And-Bone made Magnus Sundell's list of the best things of 2010 over at Indrag.se.
2010-12-18
This album of Americana par excellence is the second CD from this Swedish outfit under the leadership of singer, guitarist and song-writer Mats Nilson. Actually, Mats is Rag And Bone, with a fluid set of musicians providing exemplary backing, whether rocking out, getting soulful, or simply folky. Try ‘Man With No Reflection’ which is very much in a “Ry Cooder sings southern country-soul” bag, for lack of a snappy category – but all the 12 numbers are originals. In places there is a hint of the Muscle Shoals sound (‘Say You Hate Me’ is a fine example of this), other tracks are stomping blues-rock – for the latter lend an ear to ‘My Shortcoming’ and ‘Reconsideration Boogie’, both featuring some particularly fierce guitar. The closer is a fine, jumping slice of western swing, whilst those of a certain age might be interested to note the presence of a mellotron on the very bluesy ‘The Stench Of A Ditch’. When all is said and done, this is rather a very pleasing release all round, provided you are not too purist in your blues tastes.
Norman Darwen - bluesinthenorthwest.com
Norman Darwen - bluesinthenorthwest.com
2010-10-21
New video, "Man With No Reflection", online.
2010-06-10
Variety shines through on this album
Novice Pioneer is the follow up of the excellent debut album from Rag-And-Bone. An extreem diverse album, from the up-tempo melody of No Footing at all to the doleful sound of the following song, Say You Hate Me.
Rag-And-Bone shows skill with a vast variety of wellplayed instruments. Although there is a easygoing feel to the album the last song Lunar Hop closes the record with an up-beat and up-tempo song leaving you with the band at their best.
EE - Maverick Magazine
Novice Pioneer is the follow up of the excellent debut album from Rag-And-Bone. An extreem diverse album, from the up-tempo melody of No Footing at all to the doleful sound of the following song, Say You Hate Me.
Rag-And-Bone shows skill with a vast variety of wellplayed instruments. Although there is a easygoing feel to the album the last song Lunar Hop closes the record with an up-beat and up-tempo song leaving you with the band at their best.
EE - Maverick Magazine
2010-04-02
I should have completed this review a long time ago. Especially since I have listened to this record a lot. Then again, perhaps that is why I haven’t gotten around to doing any actual writing. Because sometimes, don’t ask me why, the records that you listen to the most are those that are the hardest to sum up. Not that it’s difficult per se… it’s more it just never seems to happen. Perhaps it is because the inherent futility of it all becomes painfully obvious, the fact that music is supposed to be something that one listens to, enjoys, gets lost in, dances to or even hums along with… And that’s when this whole writing about music seems a little… well, trivial and unnecessary.
Malmö native Mats Nilsson released his acoustic solo album Rag-And-Bone in 2007, a real gem made up of rootsy Americana. Now that the follow-up, Novice Pioneer, has arrived, I fully expected it to be alright, but not that it would knock me over completely. But that it does, starting with from the title song with its catchy Waterboys-groove.
This time there is a full line-up and the sound is substantially more rocking. Or perhaps not rocking is the wrong word… it’s not the all-out rockers that are dominating the sound. But even if there are violin- and banjo-driven tunes like “No Footing at All”, and soulful ballads like “Say You Hate Me” and a lot of acoustic folk- and country rock – while the 70’s-flavored rock and roll rumblers like “My Shortcoming” and “Reconsideration Boogie” are a minority – it is still the rock and roll flavor that lingers on when the album is over.
Perhaps it is a question of energy. Mats Nilsson and his co-musicians perform like they are on their toes, eager, anxious, filled with energy – regardless of whether the instruments they carry are of the acoustic or electric variety. At the same time they feel grounded and safe, with both feet safely planted well within the musical idiom of Americana. The sound is organic as well as dynamic. Nilsson also gets help from multi-talented Pontus Snibb, who besides being the engineer also plays a variety of instruments. And although the record features guest appearances by international greats like Dan Baird (Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites), Guy ”Griff” Griffin (The Quireboys) and Warner E Hodges (Jason & The Scorchers), it is the homegrown core of Rag-And-Bone – Mats Nilsson, Pontus Snibb and Micke Nilsson - coupled with the songs of Mats Nilssons that make up the foundation of this albums greatness.
Novice Pioneer is a small sensation that deserves greater recognition.
Magnus Sundell
Malmö native Mats Nilsson released his acoustic solo album Rag-And-Bone in 2007, a real gem made up of rootsy Americana. Now that the follow-up, Novice Pioneer, has arrived, I fully expected it to be alright, but not that it would knock me over completely. But that it does, starting with from the title song with its catchy Waterboys-groove.
This time there is a full line-up and the sound is substantially more rocking. Or perhaps not rocking is the wrong word… it’s not the all-out rockers that are dominating the sound. But even if there are violin- and banjo-driven tunes like “No Footing at All”, and soulful ballads like “Say You Hate Me” and a lot of acoustic folk- and country rock – while the 70’s-flavored rock and roll rumblers like “My Shortcoming” and “Reconsideration Boogie” are a minority – it is still the rock and roll flavor that lingers on when the album is over.
Perhaps it is a question of energy. Mats Nilsson and his co-musicians perform like they are on their toes, eager, anxious, filled with energy – regardless of whether the instruments they carry are of the acoustic or electric variety. At the same time they feel grounded and safe, with both feet safely planted well within the musical idiom of Americana. The sound is organic as well as dynamic. Nilsson also gets help from multi-talented Pontus Snibb, who besides being the engineer also plays a variety of instruments. And although the record features guest appearances by international greats like Dan Baird (Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites), Guy ”Griff” Griffin (The Quireboys) and Warner E Hodges (Jason & The Scorchers), it is the homegrown core of Rag-And-Bone – Mats Nilsson, Pontus Snibb and Micke Nilsson - coupled with the songs of Mats Nilssons that make up the foundation of this albums greatness.
Novice Pioneer is a small sensation that deserves greater recognition.
Magnus Sundell
2010-03-15
Southern style americana
Novice Pioneer is the second album from Malmö-based musician Mats Nilsson and his project Rag-And-Bone. In an effort that leans toward the acoustic, Nilsson moves comfortably from different American influences like delta blues, country, folk and bluegrass – along with some British influences as well. Sometimes Rag-And-Bone nears Mike Scott of Waterboy’s territory or that of some English folk artist. But the music can also be more electric and rocking, with guest artists like Dan Baird (ex-Georgia Satellites) and Guy Griffin (the Quireboys). Other guests include Pontus Snibb and harmonica player Jalle Lorensson from Wilmer X. The music this time around has a distinctly more American feel, without any indications that Mats Nilsson is somehow isn’t staying true to himself. In “Stench of a Ditch” he sounds almost like a John Fogerty. Sometimes one feels like Malmö is a far way land, with alligator steaks and a thousand brands of whiskey. I wonder if Ryanair has flights there?Timo Kangas
2010-03-14
2010-03-12
Rag-And-Bone is Mats Nilsson plus a bevy of handpicked musicians who drop by the studio when it’s time to record an album. Together they perform Nilsson’s material, on which he himself does vocal duty, and the result is music that plays out something like if Malmö was located somewhere in the U.S.
As of a few years back Malmö has an uncommonly rich music scene, where some acts make CDs which should astound the rest of the world. But international success takes a great deal of luck as well as skill and no one knows beforehand whether a great album is a hit or destined for the bargain bins. By the way, domestic success is about as easy to come by as international.
Mats Nilsson is on the verge of it all. With a bit of luck he can make it big and with a lot of luck the sky is the limit.
In his guise as Rag-And-Bone he provides us with raw unpolished rock, easy going boogie and everything in between. In 12 songs he takes us through his observations of the world he lives in. He uncovers catchy melodies that nimbly work their way through the ears and sticks in your head. The lyrics are genre standards and spans from the almost genial to the obscure. Lines like “A hundred years of thirst, A young girl´s smile, In the corner of the brass eagle´s eye” is an example of the latter. I don’t get it, but am curious as to where it all will end.
What impresses most is the tone, the setting, the craftsmanship and the unity of the work. “Novice Pioneer” is a well journey in to Americana, where Nilsson gets able assistance from a whole list of seasoned pros. Like Dan Baird from the Georgia Satellites with his Slide guitar, Guy Griffin from the Quireboys on solo guitar and from the south of Sweden a plethora of local celebrities march straight into the studio lead by Pontus Snibb on multiple instruments.
Almost all of the twelwe tracks are worth five stars out of five. Almost, that is. Not all the tracks are as great as the opening “Novice Pioneer” which rolls along and sets the mood for the entire album. Neither are all the tracks as laid back as the closing “Lunar Hop”. But the exceptions are not more than a few songs. The rest makes me happy and hopeful.
Hopeful in the sense that talent that goes beyond the ordinary in the end must pay off.
As of a few years back Malmö has an uncommonly rich music scene, where some acts make CDs which should astound the rest of the world. But international success takes a great deal of luck as well as skill and no one knows beforehand whether a great album is a hit or destined for the bargain bins. By the way, domestic success is about as easy to come by as international.
Mats Nilsson is on the verge of it all. With a bit of luck he can make it big and with a lot of luck the sky is the limit.
In his guise as Rag-And-Bone he provides us with raw unpolished rock, easy going boogie and everything in between. In 12 songs he takes us through his observations of the world he lives in. He uncovers catchy melodies that nimbly work their way through the ears and sticks in your head. The lyrics are genre standards and spans from the almost genial to the obscure. Lines like “A hundred years of thirst, A young girl´s smile, In the corner of the brass eagle´s eye” is an example of the latter. I don’t get it, but am curious as to where it all will end.
What impresses most is the tone, the setting, the craftsmanship and the unity of the work. “Novice Pioneer” is a well journey in to Americana, where Nilsson gets able assistance from a whole list of seasoned pros. Like Dan Baird from the Georgia Satellites with his Slide guitar, Guy Griffin from the Quireboys on solo guitar and from the south of Sweden a plethora of local celebrities march straight into the studio lead by Pontus Snibb on multiple instruments.
Almost all of the twelwe tracks are worth five stars out of five. Almost, that is. Not all the tracks are as great as the opening “Novice Pioneer” which rolls along and sets the mood for the entire album. Neither are all the tracks as laid back as the closing “Lunar Hop”. But the exceptions are not more than a few songs. The rest makes me happy and hopeful.
Hopeful in the sense that talent that goes beyond the ordinary in the end must pay off.
Rune Häger - Rootsy.nu
2010-03-01
A new review:
Rag-And-Bone is an acoustic project from southener Mats Nilsson. He is probably rather unknown to the masses, but if there’s any justice in the world, which I’m afraid there isn’t, he should be a household name. His debut album offered up some brilliant stuff all the way through in my opinion and because the follow-up - also recorded by drummer Pontus Snibb - is at least as good as the first one, maybe more people will take notice of Mats Nilsson. Here he brings us several delicate acoustic numbers on some of which he gets support from violin player Esbjörn Hazelius (Sofia Karlsson) and up-tempo songs like "Reconsideration Boogie" where he is joined by Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites) and Walter [sic] E Hodgers (Jason & The Scorchers).
HANS BLOOM – Dalademokraten
Rag-And-Bone is an acoustic project from southener Mats Nilsson. He is probably rather unknown to the masses, but if there’s any justice in the world, which I’m afraid there isn’t, he should be a household name. His debut album offered up some brilliant stuff all the way through in my opinion and because the follow-up - also recorded by drummer Pontus Snibb - is at least as good as the first one, maybe more people will take notice of Mats Nilsson. Here he brings us several delicate acoustic numbers on some of which he gets support from violin player Esbjörn Hazelius (Sofia Karlsson) and up-tempo songs like "Reconsideration Boogie" where he is joined by Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites) and Walter [sic] E Hodgers (Jason & The Scorchers).
HANS BLOOM – Dalademokraten
2010-02-22
"Novice Pioneer" is reviewed over at Americana UK
2010-xx-xx
A Rune Häger review of the album is up over at Rootsy.nu.
2010-01-20
For bi- or multilinguals out there, we have first a Dutch review by Wiebren Rijkeboer - Altcountry.nl and a feature article in Swedish from HD.se.
2010-01-19
The first review is in:
Rag-And-Bone consists of Malmö native Mats Nilsson along with hand-picked guest musicians. This, his second album, features a distinctly more American state of mind than that the of the debut where the best tracks leaned toward pastoral British folk music along the lines of Bert Jansch. At times it’s brilliant. The title track with its idiosyncratic violin track courtesy of Esbjörn Hazelius conjures images of vagabond rock somewhere between the Waterboys and Camper van Beethoven . The track that best shows how much Nilsson has progressed as a lyricist is “Man With No Reflection”. He sometimes pours his metaphors on a little too thick, but for every song like “No Footing At All”, there’s an aptly put “With the Right Eyes”. Great performances all the way through, especially by the lead vocalist himself.
Standout track: Novice Pioneer
Rag-And-Bone consists of Malmö native Mats Nilsson along with hand-picked guest musicians. This, his second album, features a distinctly more American state of mind than that the of the debut where the best tracks leaned toward pastoral British folk music along the lines of Bert Jansch. At times it’s brilliant. The title track with its idiosyncratic violin track courtesy of Esbjörn Hazelius conjures images of vagabond rock somewhere between the Waterboys and Camper van Beethoven . The track that best shows how much Nilsson has progressed as a lyricist is “Man With No Reflection”. He sometimes pours his metaphors on a little too thick, but for every song like “No Footing At All”, there’s an aptly put “With the Right Eyes”. Great performances all the way through, especially by the lead vocalist himself.
Standout track: Novice Pioneer
Håkan Engstöm - Sydsvenskan
2010-01-11
The Release party for "Novice Pioneer" will be held on January 27, 20.00 at St Gertrud, Malmö.
2010-01-03
"Novice Pioneer" makes Rune Häger's list of Current Highlights.
2009-12-20
New gig added.
2009-12-03
"P4-scenen" with Rag-And-Bone airs tomorrow, Friday December 4th, 17.00-17.45, Radio P4 Malmö.
2009-11-29
The release date for the "Novice Pioneer"-album is 2010-01-18. Get your copy here.
2009-11-20
The airing date for "P4-scenen" with Rag-And-Bone have been postponed indefinitely. New date to come.
2009-10-28
Rag-And-Bone recently finished recording a seven-song set for the radio show "P4-scenen", P4 Malmöhus. The program airs on Fri November 20th, 17.00-17.45.
2009-07-20
Rag-and-Bone is set to embark on a mini-tour of the UK July 25-29, check out the gigs list for more information.
2009-07-01
The new shirt design is now available in additional colors here. Just select the "Rag-and-Bone"-category from the drop down menu.
2009-06-30
New gigs added.
2009-05-21
New gigs added.
2009-01-29
New gigs added.
2008-10-21
A new shirt design is available here.
2008-10-20
A new batch of album reviews:
Singer/ songwriter/ guitarist Mats Nilsson is from Sweden and is, in fact, Rag-And-Bone, named after a distant relative who was, guess what kind of man. R-and-B may be helped out by numerous friends on a variety of acoustic and electric instruments, but this CD has very much the feel of a solo album. After singing “in a bunch of rock bands”, he bought an acoustic guitar, and this is the result. The Blues is obviously a large part of his make-up, as the opening ‘Mayfly Blues’ (with its shades of ‘Led Zeppelin III’), the joyful duet with Maria Davidsson ‘Aiming For Love’ prove; so too are the various forms of rock since 1970 and people like Bob Dylan and a whole host of singer/ songwriters, though there is certainly a healthy dose of Americana (particularly the appropriately titled though sadly too short ‘Rambler Stomp’). Everything is in faultless English and the vocals have a tinge of Mick Jagger about them, making for an interesting though not a priority release.
***½ Driving rural acoustic blues from Sweden
Swedish performer Mats Nilsson (for Rag-And-Bone is he) continues the current fine vein of excellent country/Americana-styled music coming out of Scandinavia. On his album cover he looks every inch the 1920s bluesman, top half suited and tied, bottom half jeans and boots, acoustic guitar held across his body like a charm, and inside he does pretty much exactly what it says on the tin.
His style is rural acoustic blues and opening track Mayfly Blues is a superb example of the genre. Fast acoustic hammering drives vocals as urgent as they can be, reflecting the songs life in a day premise and refrain ‘time’s so precious to me.’
Kiss The Sad Boy (with Maria Davidson on feisty backing vocals and some great organ playing) is another fine piece with a deft phrase or three (‘feed the fire/with goodbye letters’). Nilsson takes the odd diversion or two along the way. There’s the poppy You Are A Perfect Lie, which recalls a backwoods Dolly Varden, as his voice echoes the peerless Steve Dawson’s if he’d gargled with gravel for a few years, Big Skies, which with its lap steel and catchy chorus, is reminiscent of the better moments of the Poco school of country-rock and the jugband stomp of Rag and Bone Rag.
The heart of the album remains the blues though, and Nilsson brings it all back home on the final two tracks, the paean to the travelling man Rambler Stomp and the anguished wail of The Hammer And The White Heat, a ‘whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ piece with the best line on the album in ‘your shadow smells like bad luck.’
Overall a fine album that pays its respects to the tradition while moving it forward, which is what it’s all about.
JS - Maverick Magazine
"This is different, more unique and better than most, this is music which will be rediscovered by the coming generations and Rag- And-Bone are in this way one of those rare musicians."
Rootstime - Belgium
Singer/ songwriter/ guitarist Mats Nilsson is from Sweden and is, in fact, Rag-And-Bone, named after a distant relative who was, guess what kind of man. R-and-B may be helped out by numerous friends on a variety of acoustic and electric instruments, but this CD has very much the feel of a solo album. After singing “in a bunch of rock bands”, he bought an acoustic guitar, and this is the result. The Blues is obviously a large part of his make-up, as the opening ‘Mayfly Blues’ (with its shades of ‘Led Zeppelin III’), the joyful duet with Maria Davidsson ‘Aiming For Love’ prove; so too are the various forms of rock since 1970 and people like Bob Dylan and a whole host of singer/ songwriters, though there is certainly a healthy dose of Americana (particularly the appropriately titled though sadly too short ‘Rambler Stomp’). Everything is in faultless English and the vocals have a tinge of Mick Jagger about them, making for an interesting though not a priority release.
Norman Darwen - Blues Matters
***½ Driving rural acoustic blues from Sweden
Swedish performer Mats Nilsson (for Rag-And-Bone is he) continues the current fine vein of excellent country/Americana-styled music coming out of Scandinavia. On his album cover he looks every inch the 1920s bluesman, top half suited and tied, bottom half jeans and boots, acoustic guitar held across his body like a charm, and inside he does pretty much exactly what it says on the tin.
His style is rural acoustic blues and opening track Mayfly Blues is a superb example of the genre. Fast acoustic hammering drives vocals as urgent as they can be, reflecting the songs life in a day premise and refrain ‘time’s so precious to me.’
Kiss The Sad Boy (with Maria Davidson on feisty backing vocals and some great organ playing) is another fine piece with a deft phrase or three (‘feed the fire/with goodbye letters’). Nilsson takes the odd diversion or two along the way. There’s the poppy You Are A Perfect Lie, which recalls a backwoods Dolly Varden, as his voice echoes the peerless Steve Dawson’s if he’d gargled with gravel for a few years, Big Skies, which with its lap steel and catchy chorus, is reminiscent of the better moments of the Poco school of country-rock and the jugband stomp of Rag and Bone Rag.
The heart of the album remains the blues though, and Nilsson brings it all back home on the final two tracks, the paean to the travelling man Rambler Stomp and the anguished wail of The Hammer And The White Heat, a ‘whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ piece with the best line on the album in ‘your shadow smells like bad luck.’
Overall a fine album that pays its respects to the tradition while moving it forward, which is what it’s all about.
JS - Maverick Magazine
"This is different, more unique and better than most, this is music which will be rediscovered by the coming generations and Rag- And-Bone are in this way one of those rare musicians."
Rootstime - Belgium
2008-09-29
New gigs added.
2008-08-16
Rag-and-Bone will perform live today on Kanal Lokal Skåne at 18.00. See it here.
2008-02-07
New album review :
(A A A A)
Here we go again. A young guy who’s worn out countless rock and roll bands, and finally found his own beginnings; who has learned to appreciate roots music, acoustic guitars, lap steel guitars and banjos. I would like to introduce you to mister Nilsson. Yes, Nilsson is another one of those Swedes. A Swede from Malmö. He has chosen the Nom de Guerre Rag-and-Bone, because a rag-and-bone man fixes things other people have thrown away as junk and sells it. Nilsson, on the other hand, fixes songs that have been thrown away as junk and sells them again on this, his debut album (MusicSpot/Musicplace Europe). He is not all alone in this endeavor, he got a little help from his friends. Eleven of them, to be exact – on drums, double bass, accordion, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, trombone, electric guitar and vocal assistance in a nice duet. All recorded in the studio of Pontus Snibb. The result is sensational. Nilsson has a fantastic, somewhat hoarse voice, that really comes into its own in great folksy songs like According to Your Plans, Now Forever, Fame Is Just the Last Way Out and the phenomenal closing song The Hammer and the White Heat with its rolling piano and blazing theremin. This song, along with the infectious Kiss the Sad Boy – a song one would like to hear on the radio every day, competes for the title of high point of the album.
Rag-and-Bone is a new name that firmly establishes itself with this impressive and richly mood-laden debut.
(A A A A)
Here we go again. A young guy who’s worn out countless rock and roll bands, and finally found his own beginnings; who has learned to appreciate roots music, acoustic guitars, lap steel guitars and banjos. I would like to introduce you to mister Nilsson. Yes, Nilsson is another one of those Swedes. A Swede from Malmö. He has chosen the Nom de Guerre Rag-and-Bone, because a rag-and-bone man fixes things other people have thrown away as junk and sells it. Nilsson, on the other hand, fixes songs that have been thrown away as junk and sells them again on this, his debut album (MusicSpot/Musicplace Europe). He is not all alone in this endeavor, he got a little help from his friends. Eleven of them, to be exact – on drums, double bass, accordion, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, trombone, electric guitar and vocal assistance in a nice duet. All recorded in the studio of Pontus Snibb. The result is sensational. Nilsson has a fantastic, somewhat hoarse voice, that really comes into its own in great folksy songs like According to Your Plans, Now Forever, Fame Is Just the Last Way Out and the phenomenal closing song The Hammer and the White Heat with its rolling piano and blazing theremin. This song, along with the infectious Kiss the Sad Boy – a song one would like to hear on the radio every day, competes for the title of high point of the album.
Rag-and-Bone is a new name that firmly establishes itself with this impressive and richly mood-laden debut.
Wiebren Rijkeboer - Altcountry.nl
2008-01-28
New video: "According to Your Plans" - Live 2007 added.
2008-01-12
New gig added.
2007-12-22
Rag-and-Bone is featured on the Möllevångsfestivalen 2007 compilation CD. Reserve your copy by dropping a line to kraft [at] mollevangsfestivalen.net.
2007-11-23
The third batch of reviews is in:
"One thing's for sure, it's not rag-and-bone junk, but an incomparable fine debut album that he delivers. The contents are nothing short of shining material. Mats Nilsson and his rasping voice are both joyful and serious in songs like "Kiss the Sad Boy", the captivating "Aiming for Love", a fine duet with Maria Davidsson and the tranquil "According to your plans"."
"The guy behind Rag-and-Bone, Malmö-based Mats Nilsson, makes an astonishingly mature debut with this album." "...what impresses most, besides the expressive voice, is the way that he as a song writer moves between different expressions and styles with such ease. One of the best Swedish Americana albums of the year."
"The instrumentation on this album is classic Americana - all acoustic guitars, harmonicas, upright bass and lap steel - but the vocal delivery and song-writing are not. Nilsson's songs sound like they are written by a rocker moonlighting as a folkie and, at times, they are all the more interesting for it. 'A Lost Part of Me' is a case in point, with a chorus that is pure rock, just in a different format." "Nilsson knows his way around a tune and the album is full of great moments ('You Are a Perfect Lie', 'Mayfly Blues' and 'Aiming for Love'). For those who have a snobbery when it comes to their Americana, Nilsson is not the man for them. However, for those who are prepared to accept an element of genre experiment (Neil Young fans apply here!) then 'Rag and Bone' should have more than enough highlights to keep you interested."
"One thing's for sure, it's not rag-and-bone junk, but an incomparable fine debut album that he delivers. The contents are nothing short of shining material. Mats Nilsson and his rasping voice are both joyful and serious in songs like "Kiss the Sad Boy", the captivating "Aiming for Love", a fine duet with Maria Davidsson and the tranquil "According to your plans"."
Hans Bloom - Dalademokraten
"The guy behind Rag-and-Bone, Malmö-based Mats Nilsson, makes an astonishingly mature debut with this album." "...what impresses most, besides the expressive voice, is the way that he as a song writer moves between different expressions and styles with such ease. One of the best Swedish Americana albums of the year."
Lars Davidsson - Smålänningen
"The instrumentation on this album is classic Americana - all acoustic guitars, harmonicas, upright bass and lap steel - but the vocal delivery and song-writing are not. Nilsson's songs sound like they are written by a rocker moonlighting as a folkie and, at times, they are all the more interesting for it. 'A Lost Part of Me' is a case in point, with a chorus that is pure rock, just in a different format." "Nilsson knows his way around a tune and the album is full of great moments ('You Are a Perfect Lie', 'Mayfly Blues' and 'Aiming for Love'). For those who have a snobbery when it comes to their Americana, Nilsson is not the man for them. However, for those who are prepared to accept an element of genre experiment (Neil Young fans apply here!) then 'Rag and Bone' should have more than enough highlights to keep you interested."
Dan Wilkinson - Americana-uk.com
2007-11-08
New gigs added.
2007-10-23
Rag-and-Bone will be televised. Check out Kanal Lokal today 18.00 for two songs and an interview. (And don't feel sad if you miss it on the first go-round
as there will be regular reruns.) Guest starring: Pelle Jernryd (Lap Steel) and Maria Davidsson (Vocals).
2007-09-27
The second batch of reviews is in:
”… a sensationally strong debut. Mats Nilsson turns out to be an accomplished singer singer/songwriter with a trunk full of strong songs based on American roots like delta blues, country and folk music. … It rocks and gyrates, it bleeds and shimmers.”
“PPPP … really good roots album with surprising musical depth.“
”…full of inspired folk rock with a blues and country feeling, where Mats’ soulful vocals and acoustic guitar are front and center… Here is all the energy that’s more often than not missing in this new singer/songwriter trend, a kind of freshness that goes a long way. But he also brings genuine song writing, which although it stays within traditional boundaries, still has a personal touch to it.”
”…touches deeply. With a melancholy voice and nimble guitar picking he conjures feelings that linger on.”
”… a sensationally strong debut. Mats Nilsson turns out to be an accomplished singer singer/songwriter with a trunk full of strong songs based on American roots like delta blues, country and folk music. … It rocks and gyrates, it bleeds and shimmers.”
Rune Häger - Rootsy.nu
“PPPP … really good roots album with surprising musical depth.“
Dan Marklund - Piteå Tidning
”…full of inspired folk rock with a blues and country feeling, where Mats’ soulful vocals and acoustic guitar are front and center… Here is all the energy that’s more often than not missing in this new singer/songwriter trend, a kind of freshness that goes a long way. But he also brings genuine song writing, which although it stays within traditional boundaries, still has a personal touch to it.”
Magnus Sundell - Trots allt
”…touches deeply. With a melancholy voice and nimble guitar picking he conjures feelings that linger on.”
Magnus Ransheim - Helsingborgs Dagblad
2007-09-27
The first batch of reviews is in:
”The self-deprecating love song "According to Your Plans", is my favorite, but the whole thing is pleasing and, above all, genuine Americana all the way through. Well crafted songs, an elite group of backing musicians and vocals charged with presence and emotion.”
”Interesting and very british-feeling rock and roll with an acoustic timbre and earthy colors, a hint of mysticism, well-played guitars in curious harmonies, and resonating warmth.”
“It’s been a long, long time since a debut album got me in such a good mood as this one… Mats Nilsson turns out to be a singer/songwriter with a lot of feeling for American roots music as well as british power pop!”
”The self-deprecating love song "According to Your Plans", is my favorite, but the whole thing is pleasing and, above all, genuine Americana all the way through. Well crafted songs, an elite group of backing musicians and vocals charged with presence and emotion.”
Lennart Persson - Rootsy.nu
”Interesting and very british-feeling rock and roll with an acoustic timbre and earthy colors, a hint of mysticism, well-played guitars in curious harmonies, and resonating warmth.”
Håkan Engström - Sydsvenska Dagbladet
“It’s been a long, long time since a debut album got me in such a good mood as this one… Mats Nilsson turns out to be a singer/songwriter with a lot of feeling for American roots music as well as british power pop!”
Rune Häger - Rootsy.nu
2007-09-12
videos for "Mayfly Blues" and "Kiss the Sad Boy" added.
2007-09-10
New gigs added.
2007-09-05
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we've had to change MySpace-address. The new address is: www.myspace.com/ragandbonemusic. Please update your bookmarks.
2007-08-31
New gigs added.
2007-08-16
New gigs added.
2007-08-03
The release party for Rag-and-Bone's debut album will be held at Bodoni, Malmö on 2007-09-19 (Wednesday) at 20.00.
2007-07-18
New site up and running. Check back for updates...
Merchandise:
E-mail: band [at] rag-n-bone.com | Join our newsletter: news-subscribe [at] rag-n-bone.com