If it hadn’t been for the invitation from the Telemark Festival, 17 more years might have gone by but as Lillebjørn says at the concert “We got together this summer when I visited Dublin, but decided that there was no rush to practise since we had so much to talk about. Today was the first time we really sat down and went through our material.” before starting with one of his own songs, “Danse, ikke gråte nå”.
The album is filled with a superb variety of songs, both serious and humorous, characterised by two performers in top form. Norwegian and Irish folk music suit each other admirably. “We were on the same wavelength from the moment we met.” Andy Irvine also said back then. And that Saturday this common wavelength gave the audience an unforgettable experience.
The two troubadours complement each other perfectly, musically as well as thematically. When Lillebjørn Nilsen sings about the Norwegian emigrant who became The Girl in Chicago, Andy Irvine counters with the homesick Irish emigrant in Indiana.
Lillebjørn Nilsen is a Norwegian singer, songwriter and folk musician. In total he has five Spellemannspriser (Norwegian Grammy´s) both as a solo artist and as a part of bigger groups. He is often mentioned as Norway’s “Folk King”.
Andy Irvine is known as one of the greatest Irish singers and songwriters and is referred to as “a tradition in himself”, his voice one of a handful of truly great ones that gets to the very soul of Ireland. Musician, singer, songwriter, Andy has maintained his highly individual performing skills throughout his over 50-year career. He is also known for being at the helm of such legendary bands as Planxty & Sweeney’s Men.
1JENTA I CHICAGO (The Girl In Chicago)04:17
Music: Lillebjorn NilsenLyrics: Lillebjorn Nilsen
2COME TO THE BOWER04:45
Music: Andy IrvineLyrics: Andy Irvine
3ALEXANDER KIELLANDS PLASS03:15
Music: Lillebjorn NilsenLyrics: Lillebjorn Nilsen
4STEWBALL AND THE MONAGHAN GREY MARE03:53
Music: Andy IrvineLyrics: Andy Irvine
5HAV OG HIMMEL (Ocean And Sky)04:19
Music: Lillebjorn NilsenLyrics: Lillebjorn Nilsen
6MY HEART'S TONIGHT IN IRELAND03:34
Music: Andy IrvineLyrics: Andy Irvine
7VALLE AUTO OG BENSIN (The Gas Station Song)03:35
Music: Lillebjorn NilsenLyrics: Lillebjorn Nilsen
8A PRINCE AMONG MEN04:23
Music: Andy IrvineLyrics: Andy Irvine
9DANSE IKKE GRÅTE NÅ (Dance Do Not Weep)02:20
Music: Lillebjorn NilsenLyrics: Lillebjorn Nilsen
10FORT GJORT Å GLEMME (Easy To Forget It)03:44
Music: Lillebjorn NilsenLyrics: Lillebjorn Nilsen
11PATRICK STREET/HALLING (Jenta Med Garden)04:33
Music: Lillebjorn Nilsen/Andy Irvine/TraditionalLyrics: Traditional
12VIDVINKEL-STEV (The Photographers)02:21
Music: TraditionalLyrics: Grit Laskin/Lillebjorn Nilsen
13HÅVAR HEDDE/JIG05:14
Music: Traditional/Lillebjorn NilsenLyrics: Lillebjorn Nilsen
14MARTINMAS TIME/JIG (Little Stack Of Wheat)04:48
Music: Andy IrvineLyrics: Andy Irvine
15OLA TVEITEN03:40
Music: TraditionalLyrics: Lillebjorn Nilsen