After his first solo album Storytelling (see review) from 2023 here is Norwegian multi-instrumentalist Lars Fredrik Frøislie (Wobbler and White Willow) with his second solo album entitled Gamle Mester (which means Old Master). Like on the previous album Frøislie takes on vocals and drums, as well as an impressive array of analogue keyboards: from the Hammond C3 organ, Mellotron M400, Minimoog Model D synthesizer and Chamberlin M-1 (pre-Mellotron) to the William de Blaise Cembalo Traverso harpsichord, Hohner D6 Clavinet, Rhodes Mk II electric piano and Arp Pro Solist synthesizer. Joining him are Nikolai Hængsle (Elephant9, Needlepoint, Bigbang and Band Of Gold) on the mighty Rickenbacker 4003 bass and Ketil Vestrum Einarsen (ex-Jaga Jazzist, Weserbergland and White Willow) on flute and recorder. Wow, what a wonderful keyboard driven album, featuring tons of exciting vintage sounds, backed by an excellent rhythm-section with an often growling bass and dynamic drums, and at some moments layered with pleasant native vocals. Most of the 6 compositions contain flowing shifting moods, between mellow, mid-tempo and bombastic, very tastefully arranged. From a wonderful churchy Hammond organ, soaring Mellotron violins (evoking Trace) and flute to mellow with piano and Mellotron choirs, in the vein of Rick Wakeman, in Demring (Dawn). Lots of variety, between dreamy, a catchy beat and bombastic, embellished with Mellotron, harpsichord, piano, Keith Emerson kind of Hammond and Minimoog, and topped with flute and native vocals (evoking Änglagård) in Jakten Pa Det Kalydoniske Villsvin (The Hunt for the Calydonian Boar). A cheerful atmosphere and a wonderful churchy Hammond solo (sounding like Procol Harum) in Gamle Mester (Old Master). Between mellow climates and sumptuous interludes featuring an overwhelming vintage keyboard sound (evoking Anekdoten), from Mellotron choirs to a swirling Hammond solo (Jon Lord comes to my mind) in Medusas Flate (The Raft of the Medusa). The alternating longest track De Tre Gratier (The Three Graces) delivers an awesome vintage keyboard sound: dreamy electric piano, majestic Mellotron choirs, a pitchbend driven Minimoog solo and tender harpsichord, topped with native vocals and sparkling flute, and fuelled by a dynamic rhythm-section. And finally the short Skumring (Dusk) that features beautiful interplay between Grand piano (from tender to sparkling) and intense Mellotron choirs, the moods shift from dreamy to bombastic, the rhythm-section does a great job, what a short but very dynamic and compelling track. This is Vintage Keyboard Heaven, highly recommended to the aficionados of Trace, The Nice, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Triumvirat, Rick Wakeman solo and the Skandinavian prog like Anekdoten and Änglagård! **** Erik Neuteboom (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
