This amazing collaboration came from artists whom I have known for a long and often am listening to. This venture however in fact did take a whole new direction. Danish Vocalist and Swedish bass virtuoso are not just a DUO, but also a marriage. That gives it a entire new sense.
Saying that they do know each other artistically would be colloquial, as they obviously do work together as well as share label, despite of many separate projects they have been both involved in. But the fact that they are also living together brings new meaning to phrase “understanding each other”.
Tracklist here sports two well known hits: Opening Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now and closing Cohen’s Hallelujah. Additionally two pieces of the Great Abbey Lincoln are paying tribute to one of Caecilie’s most important inspirations and unforgettable Jazz vocalist. The rest of 13 compositions are couple’s own contribution.
Abbey’s And it’s supposed to be love is an remarkable example of Norby’s talent to make over an existing songs. Even such like this iconic original to bring a completely new feeling to it. Same applies to two other covers above. Sung with more flash and blood they both come with more vivid, less nostalgic way. There is another reflection in them now. Plus Lars’ beautiful cello arcos, adding more melody to the classic lines. Caecilie’s vocalise, closer to operatic bell canto here than a jazzy scat is another cherry on the icing.
The Wholly Earth doesn’t have the same freshness and reminds you the earlier version from Silent Ways. While here surrounded by other lyrics, all about the wisdom of life somehow, it catches up lovely with entire new context. Reduced arrangement helps to focus more on vocal than on percussive accompaniment.
Double Dance brings the sense of this collaboration even more up front. Here her vocal and his bass response are like carpet for the legs. Each step just lands on the piece of sonic texture which is perfect for it and gives it absolute support.
Listening to this project is like resting in hot and foamy bath, with still new aromas attracting your sense of smell. It’s modern or classic or both whatever music demands.Despite of being DUO project, use of percussive instruments. Lars swaps between bass, cello and guitar and Caecilia’s vocal abilities make it richer that one would expect from two musicians alone.
Lyric wise connection of classic songs together with artists own output tell the continuous story. Therefore it is both hypnotic and charming. It is easy listening of course, but not in the usual meaning. They both make you believe that it is a easy plot where they stay, but this is a beauty of this illusion. In fact they merge together in the way that your mind refuses to analyse that any further and just buys it. If that supposed to be love then they must be a perfect marriage 😉