I’ve blogged about them before, but let’s get to know them a little bit more, shall we?
Espend Lind: a prolific songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who was Norway’s Artist of the Year in 1998. Expect to hear more of him in the US. He’s co-written Beyonce’s hit Irreplaceable (that guitar riff in there is his handiwork), and enjoys songwriting and producing credits for such artists as Elliott Yamin, Jessica Simpson (and I’m wishing I could have typed John Mayer instead, but that’s just me) and Atomic Kitten.
Kurt Nilsen: what haven’t I said about him yet? Let’s see. Simon Cowell made fun of his looks, he blew his competition away in Norway’s Pop Idol and stayed away from the bottom two or three every single week, and embarked on a tour with his guitar buddies that was so successful that they ended up releasing it on DVD. (Sounds familiar? *cough*Warfield*cough*) Oh, and his second album contained only material that he wrote. (Ahem.)
Askil Holm: at 26, he’s already a seasoned veteran. Debuted on television as the lead singer of the band Attack at the age of thirteen (good grief, I barely remember what I was doing at thirteen, which means I was likely doing nothing), and hasn’t looked back since.
Alejandro Fuentes: finished third in Norway’s Pop Idol two years ago, when he was barely seventeen. That’s right, you heard me. Seventeen. This is his third album. Show-off. (I’m not jealous. Really, I’m not.)
The album is an interesting mix of original material and covers of artists such as Seal, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Don Henley and Ray Charles. It was kinda wild at first to hear them speak in Norwegian, then break into song with no trace of an accent. Or maybe it was because the first track I checked out started out with something that, for all I know, could have been Ikea assembly instructions, followed by the the full-on yee-haw twang of “Man of Constant Sorrow.”
Some folks think they’re brilliant, and some say cheesy copycats. What can I say? I just love listening to these guys.
Track List
1 – Unloved
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2 – Sail Away
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3 – Mary Jane’s Last Dance
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4 – Wedding’s Off
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5 – Stars
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6 – Kiss From A Rose
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7 – Desire
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8 – Stay On These Roads
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9 – Never Easy
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10 – The River
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11 – Man Of Constant Sorrow
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12 – Can’t Make You Love Me
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13 – I Got A Woman
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14 – The Boys Of Summer
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15 – When Susannah Cries
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16 – Hallelujah
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17 – En Natti Forbi
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One final note: I really wish I understood Norwegian, because I’m dying to know exactly how funny this parody is. Anyone?
Why oh why, wasn’t Noweigen a language choice in High School?
I know! I didn’t even have a language choice in high school. I think they figured that the two we were already using would be enough.
I found the vid amusing at first then became throughly ticked the longer I watched it because I didn’t understand.
I had a headstart. I was already ticked after listening to the tracks. I hate being all ready to laugh and be amused, and then be left hanging. *shakes fist at language barriers*
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Hey, where can I buy this cd. it’s not on itunes, which is a shame. I’m actually just interested in the song Hallelujah, but not sure how to get it apart from buying the whole cd. I would appreciate your help, thanks!! Casey Ellis
Hi Casey! I’ll let you know what I find out.
Hi, im Danish, but have lived in Norway for years, the norwegian language is very similar to danish. This parody is ok funny. Not hillarious…but ok. Im so sad that Kurt Nilsen not is better known in the world, he is the best singer EVER. Experts even sais he is better than Bono, and Kurts version of “One” was done better than Bono…THATS something!! LOL :-) but theyre right, Kurt IS better than anyone.
Hi, I am 100% Norwegian and thx for posting this parody. Thx a lot!!! :D