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[05.11.2007]
English translation of a review published by Roots Time end of October 2007
ROOTS TIME (Belgium)
THORBJORN RISAGER
HERE I AM
Label: Cope Records
Just one year ago the first CD of Thorbjorn Risager, a Danish blues singer was released and it was a complete hit. Risager has voice that is a combination of Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Delbert McClinton and even the warm bluesy vocals of the late Luke Walter Jr, (the singer of the 80's Belgian band Blue Blot) so, you know he's a singer from the heart, and with a lot of soul. Backed by a great band, with some funky horns (Wagner/Kehl), with the guitar from Svein-Erik Martinsen and Thorbjorn himself, a great piano and organplayer (Emil Balsgaard) and the rhythm duo (Soren Bjogaard/Martin Seidelin).
The tight horn section along with some nice slide make a good start with the song "Here I Am" , a song that promises that this cd will be a great follow – up to "From The Heart". And it proves to be: "All I Want" and even more "Heart of the Night" ,a soul ballad with the spirit of Otis Redding, are pure gems, it brings the Joe Cocker elements in Risager's voice to the surface, but to be honest, I think Thorbjorn‘s voice is better, it is more subtle) and the song also has some great B.B King guitar in it, so further recommendation is no longer necessary. Funky New Orleans rhythms, with pianoplayer Emil at his very best, backed by those funky horns, that's how "From Now On" sounds. "You Better Pay Attention" is real Roomful Of Blues, you even might think it's Sugar Ray Norcia singing. More B.B King style guitar in "Down Home Blues", and once again those horns provide the soul injection. One of the best songs on this CD is "Johnny Called The Whole Thing Off", it's a wonderful song with Thorbjorn's fantastic voice and slide guitar. Great class!
I can't find one weak song on this whole recording, because also "Good Thing" with it's N'Awlins influences is superb. The strength of Risager is his voice which sounds like Ray Charles one moment, while a few moments later, in the same song, you think you are listening to Joe Cocker. Not that he is trying to imitate them, he just has the luck of sounding like all of these great singers naturally. The closing song of the album is somewhat special, Thorbjorn sings this melancholic sounding song in a very introvert way, which makes a nice way to end this vocal masterwork of an album. Although the band is superb, the real star of the show is Thorbjorn. What a soulful strong voice, what a feeling he puts in it. Danish quality, up until now it, stood for the famous Tuborg beer, but from now on, I think Risager when they mention it.
A must have!
English translation of a review published by Roots Time end of October 2007
ROOTS TIME (Belgium)
THORBJORN RISAGER
HERE I AM
Label: Cope Records
Just one year ago the first CD of Thorbjorn Risager, a Danish blues singer was released and it was a complete hit. Risager has voice that is a combination of Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Delbert McClinton and even the warm bluesy vocals of the late Luke Walter Jr, (the singer of the 80's Belgian band Blue Blot) so, you know he's a singer from the heart, and with a lot of soul. Backed by a great band, with some funky horns (Wagner/Kehl), with the guitar from Svein-Erik Martinsen and Thorbjorn himself, a great piano and organplayer (Emil Balsgaard) and the rhythm duo (Soren Bjogaard/Martin Seidelin).
The tight horn section along with some nice slide make a good start with the song "Here I Am" , a song that promises that this cd will be a great follow – up to "From The Heart". And it proves to be: "All I Want" and even more "Heart of the Night" ,a soul ballad with the spirit of Otis Redding, are pure gems, it brings the Joe Cocker elements in Risager's voice to the surface, but to be honest, I think Thorbjorn‘s voice is better, it is more subtle) and the song also has some great B.B King guitar in it, so further recommendation is no longer necessary. Funky New Orleans rhythms, with pianoplayer Emil at his very best, backed by those funky horns, that's how "From Now On" sounds. "You Better Pay Attention" is real Roomful Of Blues, you even might think it's Sugar Ray Norcia singing. More B.B King style guitar in "Down Home Blues", and once again those horns provide the soul injection. One of the best songs on this CD is "Johnny Called The Whole Thing Off", it's a wonderful song with Thorbjorn's fantastic voice and slide guitar. Great class!
I can't find one weak song on this whole recording, because also "Good Thing" with it's N'Awlins influences is superb. The strength of Risager is his voice which sounds like Ray Charles one moment, while a few moments later, in the same song, you think you are listening to Joe Cocker. Not that he is trying to imitate them, he just has the luck of sounding like all of these great singers naturally. The closing song of the album is somewhat special, Thorbjorn sings this melancholic sounding song in a very introvert way, which makes a nice way to end this vocal masterwork of an album. Although the band is superb, the real star of the show is Thorbjorn. What a soulful strong voice, what a feeling he puts in it. Danish quality, up until now it, stood for the famous Tuborg beer, but from now on, I think Risager when they mention it.
A must have!
Ronny Bervoets