Johnny Cash's final recordings - an essay

Once again I have been writing an essay for Universal Music, this time concerning the release of the vinyl box containing all of Johnny Cash's American LP's, six in all. Helmed by producer Rick Rubin, these albums marked a new turn in The Man in Black's career, making him once again gain the respect as the amazingly powerful performer that he truly was, after his career was in the doldrums for a ten year period or so. The essay is written in Norwegian, so a dictionary or Google Translate will be of some help for those among you who don't know my language.

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My friend Ronnie and my visit to Abbey Road - who'd have ever thought?

Abbey Road. It's more than a studio. It's more than a Beatles record. It's definitely more than a zebra crossing. Abbey Road is the Holy Grail of musicians and music fans from all over the world. Abbey Road is the last stop.

So, who'd have thought I - a former music journalist from Norway - would ever enter the doors of the Abbey Road Studios in London? I know I wouldn't, but one day in April my telephone rings and I see it's my musician friend Ronnie MAG Larsen. Ronnie used to be in a fantastic band called The Margarets several years ago, but they sadly disbanded, even after having made what I term the best song recorded during the entire 2000's. That's the way it goes though. Ronnie has now made a record with a band called Giske which is basically three out of five parts Margarets, himself and singer Alex Rinde and guitarist/producer/songwriter Rune Berg. He tells me their upcoming record Carousel Magic Spell is to be cut for vinyl in Abbey Road Studios and do I want to join him? Do I ever? The thing is that Alex is seriously ill and unable to make the trip to London and Rune suffers from a fear of flying. Ronnie wants someone to share the moment with, and because his wife can't come thinks of me. To say I'm flattered is a huge understatement, and I immediately say yes.

So, on a rainy day in late April of 2015 Ronnie and I head towards Abbey Road in a taxi after a short pilgrimage to Soho Square where I want to show him the bench with the Kirsty MacColl quote that also seems part of the Margarets heritage just like The Beatles does. And just so this is clear: Without The Beatles, there wouldn't be any The Margarets or in turn any Giske, or any record to cut at this historic site.

Without further ado I leave the word to Ronnie who tells the story of The Margarets and Giske, and of our trip to Abbey Road where we met the engineering legend Sean Magee. He can tell this story so much better than I can, so there's nothing left for me to say here. If you can't read Norwegian it's too bad though, so I hope you're able to work Google Translate to your advantage.

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Sean Magee and Ronnie MAG Larsen

Blondie's first albums re-released on vinyl - here's my essay

Pop music as we know it without the influence of Debbie Harry is unthinkable. Universal Music is re-releasing Blondie's first six albums on vinyl next week and have commisioned me to write an essay about the New York-based band that made a huge impact on the world of pop (and rock) music in the second part of the 1970's, going on into the 80's. It's written in Norwegian though, but take a look anyway and play their music once more. You'll not be sorry.

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Frank Sinatra's 100th anniversary - an essay

The best singer that ever put his mouth close to a microphone? That could very well be one Frank Sinatra, late of Hoboken, New Jersey, who would've turned 100 years old in December. The anniversary year is celebrated with sundry releases, including the brand new Ultimate Sinatra box set, the first ever compilation to span his entire career, encompassing recordings from Columbia, Capitol and Reprise. Below you'll get access to the album and my essay about the great man - written in Norwegian - commisioned by Universal Music.

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Happy birthday,Björn Ulvaeus - my life with ABBA with THE playlist

Hooray for ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus who turns 70 today! One of the best ever pop songwriters, he and partner Benny Andersson wrote practically everything ABBA recorded, and their legacy is undeniably great! Last November I wrote an essay for Universal Music about my life as an ABBA fan (they were my first musical love of note), so this is a repost to mark Ulvaeus' anniversary. Enclosed in the link is the essay (written in Norwegian) as well as music videos and the ultimate ABBA playlist featuring what I consider their 36 best songs. All hail Björn!

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An essay about Brian Wilson

Commisioned by Universal Music's Norwegian office, I have written an essay about Brian Wilson upon the release of his wonderful new solo album No Pier Pressure. The architect behind the Beach Boys' sound of 60's California returns in style with his first solo album of new material in seven years, and some of its songs are absolutely stunning. The essay is written in Norwegian, but you'll get access to the album no matter what you understand of my writings.

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Sting and why he's a hero in my book - an essay

I know quite a few people who simply loathe Sting whereas I think he's an actual hero. Why? Mainly because he used to be part of The Police, but also because he's actually very good on his own. I have written an article about him for the Norwegian branch of Universal Music, discussing how he's... well, disputed or something. If you don't know any Norwegian, copy and paste into Google Translate which may or may not help you. Or simply, listen to his music.

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Shania Twain is back - read all about it

Shania Twain has been away from the spotlight a few years but is most definitely back in the ring. I have written my views on her music in an essay commisioned by Universal Music now that the live album Still The One: Live From Vegas has been released. Written in Norwegian, so there you go. Best of luck!

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Mark Knopfler - an essay

On commision for Universal Music I have written an essay about the esteemed Mark Knopfler, who just happens to be the only (as far as I know) rock star who's had a dinosaur named in his honour. As he's just released his excellent new album Tracker I have taken a look back on his career. Apologies to those that don't know any Norwegian. For you I can only recommend some classes or at least utilizing Google Translate. Also, I have added a playlist with my favourite Knopfler tracks, from "Down To The Waterline" and onwards. Enjoy!

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Playlist

What if... there were to be a High Fidelity sequel?

"What would happen in a High Fidelity sequel?", Nick Hornby muses in a new essay published exclusively by Billboard. As his seminal novel turns 20 this year the British author discusses the improbability of him actually writing a sequel and also how the record stores of today compares to those of 1995. Are the mean clerks still out there, "sneering at your bad choices"? Read and find out.

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An essay about The Jam's Setting Sons

In 1979 The Jam released their groundbreaking album Setting Sons, fronted as they were by a 22 year old Paul Weller finding his voice. It's an undisputed masterpiece that I have written an essay about on commision from Universal Music's office in Norway - in Norwegian. Check it out anyway with Google Translate as your possible new best friend, or if nothing else, listen to the album. Access in the link below.

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Chris de Burgh - an essay about Eastern Wind

Well, hip it ain't, but Chris de Burgh's 1980 album Eastern Wind was a huge and unexpected hit in Norway, selling 160 000 copies. I have re-listened to it with 2015 ears and written an essay for Universal Music about how it stands today. So if you will, go on and read it - in Norwegian - so Google Translate could be handy. At least you can listen to the album if you can't read the words.

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Frank Sinatra descending on London - an essay

In 1962 Frank Sinatra went to London to record an album, the first and only time he did so outside the USA. The result, Sinatra Sings Great Songs From Great Britain, may not be among his very best albums, but it's not bad at all, and has been turned into a fabulous box set featuring three CDs and a DVD containing shows he did in the British capital, in 1962 and 1970. I have written an essay on commission from Universal Music, in Norwegian, that is. If you're not fluent in my language, please access our good friend Google Translate, or follow the link below just to listen to the music and see a few videos.

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Supertramp's Crime Of The Century - an essay

Supertramp's 1974 album Crime Of The Century was the British band's breakthrough album, their make-or-break album in fact. Founding core members and songwriters Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies had indeed disbanded Supertramp prior to the recording, but on the strength of a handful of new songs, decided to give it one last go. Wise move, as it turned out.

I have written about the album for Universal Music that released a two CD deluxe edition before Christmas. In Norwegian unfortunately, but if you're interested you could always look up our old pal Google Translate. Then there's also the album to listen to, of course. That works splendidly without my musings.

Read the essay here

 

ABBA - an essay, videos and playlists

In an essay written for Universal Music, I talk of how my love for music started and what the music of ABBA means to me. Unfortunately (?) it's in Norwegian, so if you're interested you'll need to access our good friend Google Translate. If not, just follow the link below and go the videos and the playlist I've compiled in Spotify and WiMP to listen to my favourite ABBA songs.

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Queen Forever - an essay about the strange new compilation

Yet another essay written in Norwegian for Universal, this about the rather curious, slightly conceptual new Queen compilation, featuring three "new" songs, including a duet between Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson called "There Must Be More To Life Than This". The compilation focuses on lesser-known Queen songs, of which quite a few are lifted from the band's later albums. It's a strange, but interesting mix. So access Google Translate and have a look at the essay below. Scroll down and you'll see that the link also features a playlist with my own personal Queen favourites, compiled both in Spotify and WiMP.

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The New Basement Tapes - an essay

So here's another essay in Norwegian, this time about the amazing and very exciting The New Basement Tapes project which was led by ace producer T-Bone Burnett and features Elvis Costello, Jim Jones of My Morning Jacket, Rhiannon Giddens of Carolina Chocolate Drops, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes and a certain Marcus Mumford of... yes indeed, Mumford & Sons. This was written on commission for Universal music and of course it features a link to the actual album for you to hear. And don't forget that Google Translate just might be your best friend here.

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Neil Diamond is out with a brilliant new album - essay, videos and music

Melody Road is the title of legendary singer/songwriter Neil Diamond's new album and his first featuring new material in six dry years. This one differs quite a lot from his last two Rick Rubin-produced efforts though as it is full of instruments, horns a-plenty, strings and back up-singers, sounding just as good as he did fortysome years ago, with the songs to back up his play. My part-time job writing for Universal Music has resulted in essay in which I muse a bit about Diamond's new album as well as his past, and I have also compiled a 40 song introductory playlist in Spotify. It serves as both an introduction to new listeners and a celebration for old fans, and by following the link you can also see behind the scenes footage from the recording of Melody Road, a couple of music videos and of course listen to the entire album. Please do enjoy!

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Bryan Adams pays tribute to his musical heroes - essay, videos, music

This week Canadian superstar singer/songwriter Bryan Adams released his covers album Tracks Of My Years on which he pays tribute to some of his musical heroes, including Lennon/McCartney, Smokey Robinson, Brian Wilson and more. Prior to this I've posted entries for the one new composition on the album, Adams' and Jim Vallance's "She Knows Me", and his astounding version of the Beach Boys classic "God Only Knows". The good people of the Norwegian branch of his record company Universal Music has asked me to write a piece on Adams and his new records, and by following the link below you can read it - in Norwegian (Hello there, Google Translate!) - and listen to the album as well as a playlist featuring most of the originals and a few videos. Have fun!

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Genesis R-Kived - an essay, music videos and more

There has just been released a glorious Genesis compilation, a 3CD set with music from all the band's studio albums (with the exception of their 1969 debut album From Genesis To Revelation) and from the solo careers of the five core members, Tony Banks, Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins and Steve Hackett - chronologically. It's the first time such an effort has been made to tell the legendary prog rock band gone pop band's history, and about time it is. On commision from Universal Music, the company that have released the compilation R-Kive, I have written an essay about the band and their career - in Norwegian. There are also some key music videos here as well, so do have a look if you will.

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