Album Review: "Personally" by Samuelsons – A Folk Gospel Punch from 1977
Alright, let’s get real here. If you’re into folk music with a heavy dose of gospel vibes, Personally by Samuelsons is one of those albums that smacks you in the feels without asking for permission. Released back in ’77 (yeah, that’s right, the disco era but this ain’t no Saturday Night Fever), this Swedish gem comes straight outta Pilot Records and doesn’t mess around. It’s raw, it’s heartfelt, and honestly? It kinda sneaks up on you when you least expect it.
First off, the tracklist reads like a Sunday morning prayer meeting playlist, but don’t roll your eyes just yet. Tracks like “Heaven, what a wonderful place” and “Jesus, I want to thank you” hit hard—not because they’re preachy, but because they feel real. Like, these guys weren’t phoning it in; they meant every word. Take “Heaven, what a wonderful place,” for example. The melody creeps up on you slow at first, all soft acoustic guitar and gentle vocals, then BAM—it builds into this choir-backed explosion of hope and longing. You can almost picture Samuelsons standing there in some tiny Swedish church, pouring their souls out. It sticks with you, man. Not just because of the lyrics, but because it feels like they’re singing directly to you. No frills, no gimmicks—just pure emotion laid bare.
And then there’s “Jesus, I want to thank you.” This one’s my personal gut-punch. Why? Because it’s so damn simple, yet it hits harder than most modern songs drowning in autotune and overproduction. The vocals are rough around the edges, like someone who’s lived life and seen some stuff. There’s no fancy studio tricks—just a voice, a piano, and an unshakable faith that makes you stop whatever you’re doing and listen. When he sings about gratitude, you believe him. You might not even be religious, but something about the honesty cuts through the noise in your brain. It’s like getting hugged by soundwaves or something.
The rest of the album keeps that same energy going. Songs like “Because he lives” and “Spread a little love around” bring the warmth, while “Sing a song of freedom” throws in a bit of fire to keep things interesting. But let’s not kid ourselves—the whole thing has a retro charm that could either make you nostalgic or cringe depending on how you roll. Still, the production quality screams ‘70s DIY, which somehow works in its favor. It’s imperfect, sure, but isn’t that what makes it memorable?
So yeah, Personally isn’t perfect. Some tracks drag a bit, and if you’re not into gospel-infused folk, parts of it might feel repetitive. But damn if it doesn’t have soul. In a world full of polished pop machines churning out forgettable tunes, this album reminds us why music matters—it connects, it challenges, and sometimes, it just flat-out saves you.
And hey, here’s the kicker: listening to this record feels like finding an old photo album in your grandparents’ attic. It’s dated as hell, but once you dive in, you realize how much humanity is packed into those faded pages. So go ahead, give Personally a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up crying in your coffee afterward.
