Bremnes, Kari
Ly
The journey is the reward: The Norwegian musician basks in majestic melancholy. For Kari Bremnes, being on the road is the central driving factor of her art. In 2007, the songwriter from the Lofoten Islands surprised us with a live logbook ("Reise"), and on the first song of her 16th album she sings: "Theres a long way to go again, and I didnt see a sign". Where is the journey heading? "Ly" means "protection", and the eleven brand new songs are full of majestic melancholy and observations on daily and spiritual life with a love for detail - islands of warmth in cold winter landscapes, through which Kari Bremnes wanders on the cover. She was joined by her live quintet for "Ly": Producer and arranger Bengt E. Hanssen lets his keyboards sparkle, and guitar player Hallgrim Bratberg instinctively sets the tone while the rhythm section, consisting of bass player Sondre Meisfjord and percussionist Helge Norbakken, lend their own flair with melodic phrases and subtle brush strokes. Kari Bremnes vocals lead us through all the highs and lows of "Ly", which has expanded her panoply of already very impressive nuances.