Nation of two
BRCD 1007 - September 2001. Bergen Records.
Produced by Rune Hauge
and Kjersti Misje
- 1. Nation of two (4.16)
- 2. Snake eyes (4:19)
- 3. The memory of you (5:09)
- 4. I won't (4:28)
- 5. What happened to you (3:32)
- 6. If I only knew (5:25)
- 7. This time (4:43)
- 8. Call on me (4:05)
- 9. Guilty by suspicion (4:57)
- 10. Burnin' bridges (4:54)
Reviews:
Dagbladet:
«Robust duo debut ranging from country to jazz ...The
accompaniment snuggly envelops their voices, which seem to be made
for one another...»
Øivind Rønning
Hordaland:
«Evocative, sensitive and beautiful.»
Reciprocated love. Unreciprocated love. The pain of love that's
lost, the joy of new-found love. We're clearly not dealing with a
novel subject matter, but the Kjersti Misje/ Rune Hauge partnership
nevertheless adds fresh vitality and life to the age-old theme
through their lyrics and music (all tracks are original material).
Acoustic and transparent, yet close and gratifying. But then
they've handpicked their band for "Nation of two" from among the
very best of Bergen-based musicians: Frank Jacobsen, Ole Amund
Gjersvik, Helge Lilletvedt, Dag Wolf, Per Jørgensen, Arild Seim,
Atle Mjørlaug, Geir Rognø and Atle Johannesen, all of them
undoubtedly in the premier division and with a safe place at the
upper end of the league table.
What makes "Nation of two" stand out among the multitude of
Norwegian and international country CD releases? A number of things
spring to mind: the evident chemistry between Misje and Hauge, and
the vocal qualities they represent, together as well as separately;
the likeable, cross-over tunes that never fall into the banality
trap, the poetic lyrics, the balanced arrangements and the
exquisite, clear sound.
Lend an ear to the beautiful love declaration on the
title/opening track "Nation of two", the equally beautiful jazz
ballad "If I only knew" with its unmistakable genre ideals, or the
groovy, rougher "What happened to you" - and you'll know what I'm
talking about.
Well done to Bergen Records for having spotted the potential of
this material and for having dared put their money where their
mouth is.
Nils Kvamsdal.
Haugesunds Avis:
«Evocative folk.»
Guitarist Rune Hauge is one of Norway's leading experts on
American roots music. Evocative and warm... A wealth of fine
details... Kjersti Misje's singing is outstanding. She excels with
her 1940s jazz vocals... Hauge's guitar- and Dobro playing is
soulful and rational.
Roar E. Jacobsen.
Drammens Tidende:
«A rare record. A very rare record.»
You keep discovering more of Rune Hauge's musical spice every
time you listen to it, just as you keep extending the list of
emotions you've found Kjersti Misje to be expressing through her
microphone. A symbiosis of American and European folk traditions
and the classic love ballad - well suited for after-midnight
listening.
Many of the musicians come from jazz circles, and even if the
instrumental sections tend to have that unplugged feeling, "Nation
of two" is far from being purely acoustic. This is a record you'll
come to appreciate more and more, ideal for late night listening,
as it disseminates just that calm and harmonious atmosphere that
many of us are longing for as we go through the hustle and bustle
of daily life.
Recommendable!
Johnny Andreassen.
Fedrelandsvennen:
«From country to crossover-country.»
Kjersti Misje (vocals), Rune Hauge (vocals and guitar) and a
magnificent team of musicians (Frank Jacobsen, Ole Amund Gjersvik,
Helge Lilletvedt) are behind the newly released Nation of Two. It
is a CD which offers much to enjoy. Some of the tunes are clearly
country-inspired, others are pure jazz, here's ballads and quiet
songs, and some of the tracks can even pass as pop. More than
anything else, Kjersti Misje convinces as a skillful lead singer,
and Rune Hauge as an equally competent and perhaps even more
exciting co-singer. The record shows us a couple who dares to vouch
for their own material - all songs are signed by either one or two
of them, and original material of this variety and even, high
quality is not easy to come by. Variation and contrasts are typical
of the record, ranging from the really groovy "What happened to
you", and the quiet, reflective and increasingly jazzy "If I only
knew", the latter being a real treat, allowing Kjersti Misje to
excel as a jazz singer. This is a challenging and satisfying
crossover production for anyone who is curious about the paths that
take you off the beaten track.
Emil Otto Syvertsen.