NÆRE NILSEN – Lillebjørn Nilsen

Versatile Nilsen

Nære Nilsen is representative of Lillebjørn Nilsen’s versatile talent. The release mixes the artist´s own material, and Irish folk melodies, blues and New Norwegian texts, fiddle, dobro and balalaika. The release testifies Nilsen’s respect for tradition, but also confirms his ability to create music that is unmistakably "Nilsenian". The record is marked by Nilsen’s musical steadiness and personal nerve, aided by skilled musicians. Especially worth noting is "Gul og vissen", written and performed in collaboration with Lars Lillo-Stenberg. Several of the songs examines origins, both in depictions of personal relationships ("Så nære vi var") and in ironic comments on cultural imperialism ("Hvor kommer alle cowboyene fra?"). The album also features also cheerful and catchy songs like the hilarious "Fort gjort å glemme" and the Oslo song "1000 søte damer".