Archive for the ‘Norway’ Category
Kristin Asbjørnsen is a Norwegian singer and composer.
During many years Kristin’s work has been causing euphoria among reviewers and audiences.
Known for her very personal approach to songwriting, Kristin’s roots lies in both the singer/songwriter tradition and the groove-based world music. Her trademark sound is rich with contrasts and dynamics, with strong melancholy and a feisty devilish energy. Kristin has a unique voice, and is a master of smooth tone, organic distortion, and bright and complicated singing techniques.
Kristin has featured on a number of album releases, as well as a series of tours and festival performances in Europe. She has won several national Music Awards.
19th January 2009 saw the Norwegian release of Kristin’s new enchanting solo-album:
“The night shines like the day“. The album has been critically acclaimed and this is the first album totally based on Kristin’s own lyrics and music. These days Kristin is doing a release tour in Norway.
During many years Kristin focused mainly on work with her three permanent musical ensembles DADAFON and KRØYT, where her own compositions played a core role. Kristin also participated many years in the vocal experimentation-oriented vocal quartet Kvitretten.
In addition to writing her own lyrics, she is using Victorian and contemporary poems for her music. Kristin received her formal musical education from the Jazz Department at the Trondheim Music Conservatory, Norway.
“The night shines like the day”.
This is the first album totally based on Kristin’s own lyrics and music.
The music is a powerful, mesmerizing beautiful exploration; quiet and intense, with an incredibly strong awareness in the way Kristin is approaching the songs. It’s soulful music that flows, touchingly grounded in Kristin’s unique voice.
This album is all about loss and belonging – a journey of hope, embrace and transforming moments of life.
Kristin wrote the songs at the piano; but along the way the music developed within a haunting and distinctive ensemble sound, where West-African guitars blend creatively with the cello and piano. The arrangements are coloured by Kristin’s interpretations of African American spirituals on the critically acclaimed album ‘Wayfaring Stranger’, as well as her long term duo work with Tord Gustavsen. And they show traces of old gospel hymns and the West African danceable approach.
Kristin says:
“I invited some of the musicians that have been very important to me during the past years. I feel humble and I am touched by the way they have approached my songs, with such powerful musical performances and with so much beauty.”
These arrangements are so finely tuned and rich in texture, with an exceptional playful interaction between the musicians. Still the music – tender and somber expressions – maintains the simplicity and the warm intimacy from where the songs were born.
“The night shines like the day” carries strong imprints of love, The longing to embrace and being embraced.
“It has been a long journey since these songs started to grow in me. Working with the music has been both comforting and challenging. When everything falls apart and there seems to be no way out, we sometimes experience a glimpse of hope entering the darkness, that creates contours of a new view and new directions – expressed in the title of the album: “The night shines like the day”. Creating these songs has been a process gradually grounded in a strong hope and belief that something broken can be turned into beauty.”
Musicians:
- Kristin Asbjørnsen – vocals
- Tord Gustavsen – piano and fender rhodes
- Olav Torget – konting and guitars
- Svante Henryson – cello and electric bass
- Knut Aalefjær – percussion
- Jostein Ansnes – vocals, lap steel and additional guitars
- Sizwe Magwaza – vocals
- Nils Petter Molvaer – Trumpet on “Moment”
Track List:
- Green is everywhere (01:02)
- If this is the ending (03:52)
- Snowflake (03:42)
- Don’t hide your face from me (03:49)
- Afloat (04:17)
- And I long to see you again (03:07)
- I’m too heavy now (01:28)
- Walk around me (02:37)
- Moment (04:16)
- Rain, oh Lord (04:26)
- One day my heart will break (02:09)
- Someday I’ll carry you home (02:56)
- Lose (02:33)
Duration: 40:14 | Bitrate: 320 kBit/s | Year: 2009 | Size: 84 mb
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