Let´s just spill it, this is a prog opera (to be performed at the Norwegian Opera this fall), with a "libretto" inspired by books written by Owen Chase, N. Philbrick and Patrick O´Brian.
Motorpsycho is Kenneth Kapstad, Hans Magnus Ryan and Bent Sæther, and this time with Ståle Storløkken (keyb, composer, arranger) as important part of the group. This work was originally performed at the Molde International Jazz Festival in 2010 (commissioned work), but this is a quite different version, with quite a gang of musicians involved!
We have the strings of the Trondheim Soloists, the horns of the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra (Kjetil Møster, Hanna Paulsberg, Klaus E. Holm, André Roligheten, Mathias Eick, Eivind N. Lønning, Mats Äleklint and Kristoffer Kompen), and not to be forgotten, Kåre Chr. Vestrheim (mellotron ++) and Ola Kvernberg (violin).
The album has received rave reviews here in Norway, and everybody seem to agree that this is the big thing. To me it may be just a little bit too big some places, but let me admit, I am the kind of guy who has sold off all my Yes and Rick Wakeman albums long time ago. That may not have been very smart, because it seems like prog is back. Better prepare for a punk revival in a year or so.
If you are into prog, get it right away!
My favorite tunes: "Through the veil", "Mutiny!" and "Into the mystic".
Cover design: Kim Hiorthøy.
Illustration: Thore Hansen.
No comments:
Post a Comment