Steinar Raknes – On the Road (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 49:25 minutes | 516 MB | Genre: Folk
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Grappa Musikkforlag AS
Steinar Raknes is a creative bassist and vocalist who isn’t afraid to go his own way.
As a jazz graduate of NTNU in Trondheim, he shocked the Norwegian jazz scene with the band «Urban Connection» which took the concept of jazz trios to new heights. In recent years, Raknes has steadily moved more towards the singer/songwriter segment. The Stillhouse concept, which is really a duo project with Unni Wilhelmsen, was extended with Per Oddvar Johansen on drums, Even Hermansen on guitar and Jørgen Mathisen on clarinet, soprano and tenor sax.
He’s brought us along on wonderful journeys into his musical universe where his voice and double bass are the main elements. As a singer, he’s developed a deep, lovely baritone and in his beautiful songs his voice really stands out.
Raknes has a nose for melodies, delicate lyrics and uses a simple yet harmonious language in his songs. However, interacting with creative musicians like Hermansen, the music takes a whole other turn. The sound shifts to a completely different colour and contributions from Mathisen take the music in surprising directions. When you also have one of the country’s most responsive and creative drummers in the band, the soundscape is complete.
Witnessing the interaction between Unni and Steinar is truly wonderful. They’ve worked a lot together in the past and complement each other’s voices and expressions. Raknes’ music is in an open genre landscape with a touch of Americana, country, Nick Cave, Tom Waits, and a lot of other stuff.
Tracklist
01. Steinar Raknes – Just Like the Rain
02. Steinar Raknes – City Clown
03. Steinar Raknes – Always on the Road
04. Steinar Raknes – Crush Me
05. Steinar Raknes – Bob Along
06. Steinar Raknes – The Deserter
07. Steinar Raknes – Ravel Prelude
08. Steinar Raknes – It is Easier
09. Steinar Raknes – Filling My Own Shoes
10. Steinar Raknes – Breaking up in Pieces
11. Steinar Raknes – Better Days
Download: