Steinar Gregertsen
Southern Moon Northern Lights
© 2006 Steinar Gregertsen (634479575365)
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Steinar Gregertsen takes you from the Mississippi Delta to the fjords of Norway, onboard his acoustic and electric lap-steel guitars
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Ask someone where the best “Hawaiian guitar” players come from, and it’s unlikely that they will say, “Arendal, Norway.”
Unlikely, that is, until they have listened to Steinar Gregertsen’s recently released CD, “Southern Moon, Northern Lights.” This Norwegian guitarist’s command of his acoustic and electric lap-steel guitars – also known as “Hawaiian” or “non-pedal steel” guitars – is impressively showcased on his first solo CD.
Gregertsen set out to write and record a set of songs that would blend his appreciation of traditional American blues with his interest in more complex and contemporary musical forms – in a sense, a trip from the Mississippi Delta to the Norwegian fjords. (A few listeners describe some of the results as “New Age,” but don’t plan on doing your yoga exercises to it – there is just too much energy.) His new CD takes the listener from the uptempo first track – “Southern Moon” – to the mystical “Northern Lights,” with nine other stops along the way.
Eight of the eleven tracks are composed by Gregertsen – he collaborated with Minneapolis singer/songwriter Matthew Fox on “Southern Moon” – with three surprising covers: Brian Wilson/Tony Asher’s “God Only Knows;” Steve Cropper/Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour;” and John Fogerty’s “Bad Moon Rising,” which ironically was recorded only days before Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast and the Delta region.
Gregertsen recognizes that a CD featuring a guitarist should feature a lot of guitar playing (!), and he delivers on that promise, without an ounce-of self-indulgence. He is one of those guitarists who has the confidence (and good sense) not to play notes for their own sake; instead letting the character and sustain of his lap steels fill the space. That’s not to say he can’t cut loose – his playing on the upbeat “Poet on the Radio” gets every bit as frenetic as it is restrained on the Hendrix homage “Will the Wind Ever Remember.” (Gregertsen also does a fine job playing fretless bass. With the exception of some synthesizer programming on “Northern Lights” this is a one-man show: he plays all the guitars, synth, and programmed the drums/percussion.)
Although he limits his vocals to only three tracks, Gregertsen sings with an earnestness and honesty that matches the lyrics. “Bad Moon Rising” is presented as an acoustic lament, rather than a rocker; “Midnight Hour” is an almost-whispered promise to a lover.
If “Hawaiian guitar” and “steel guitar” conjure up thoughts of a luau at the Hilton and/or the Grand Ole Opry, think David Lindley and Ben Harper instead! Like those better-known artists, Gregertsen extends the soulful sounds of the lap-steel guitar to their full potential, without the cheesy clichés that lesser players might fall back on. And in doing so, he makes the trip from “Southern Moon” to “Northern Lights” one you’ll want to take again (and again).
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Just Buy It !
author: Bruce JohnsonYou don't need to read another glowing review. You just need this CD. Good tunes. Beautiful sounds. Excellent production. You won't be sorry. This may soon become your most played CD. For me, Stienar Gregertsen is my new musical hero.
Southern Moon Northern Lights
author: Laurie CampbellThis recent purchase is a delightful find and also favorite new listen. I only heard a single sample of Steinars music, but I knew I wanted to hear more! Now what I have on the CD is a very nice mix of selections both diverse and traditional and all skillfully and artfully approached and beautifully played, and professionally mastered. with a VERY nice sound. Steinar, I look forward to your future releases--please know I'm enjoying my(your) cd, very much! Thankyou! Sincerely, Laurie
Souyhern Moon Northern Lights
author: Kelvin MonaghanSteiner this is one magical album.The tones and textures evoked from both accoutic and electric steels is truly awesome.I love this album with a passion.Thanks for the inspiration. Cheers Kelvin
Surgical Steel
author: geoff van maastrichtyes. Steinar is a surgeon with a steel. He lets the notes he plays reach their full potential. number6 says "Buy this CD." You won't just listen to the music...you will feel it.
Vintage New Age Bliss
author: Jim WoodI found out about Steinar while surfing lap steel sites. Sent him an EMAIL with a lap steel question and got introduced to a really fine musician and great human being to boot. Ultimately bought this album -- what an inspiration! Everyone who hears it just loves the lush and tastful treatments and original songs. You really can't miss here -- vintage instruments, played with great skill, before imaginative and evocative tonal landscapes. Put this one on to watch for your falling stars ... think you will agree that Steinar's is certainly on the rise!
Get it, you won't regret it!
author: Alan StassforthEverything about this cd is great. I can't stop listening to it. Bravo!! Alan.
Excellent and varied
author: Ray ShakeshaftThis is an excellent CD not just because of the musicianship of Steinar but because he touches on so many different genres of popular music and all played with complete control and taste - never an opportunity to become bored. I look forward to the next CD.
Beautiful, transcends genre
author: Karen RobinsonSimply, magnificent. Steinar's careful attention to detail is apparent, and yet the beauty of the music really transcends all analysis. Thanks to Steinar for inspiring me in my own work, and I hope to hear more from him!
Magical organic tapestry...
author: Greg V.Steinar's music and playing is wonderfully mature and stylized, flowing with identity and skill... This release showcases his effortless, inspired notes and tones, always with purpose and within the framework of great tunes. Beautiful production and tones through out this musical journey from a deeply soulful cat...
This one of the most enoyjable CD´s I´ve heard in a long time
author: Bo HalldorssonSouthern Moon Northern Lights is one of the most enoyjable CD´s I´ve heard in a long time. Steinar is a skilled guitar player from Norway and has developed his own personal style and is surely one of the best steel players north of the Alps. Everyone who enjoys good guitar playing should have this CD in his collection He has played on one of my records and his playing stands out like gold
Truely a FIVE STAR CD...a must have!!!!
author: Terry VunCannonThis CD is a must have for slide, lap steel, & guitar fans. Steinar has come out with an instant master piece with this CD. Strong songs, great arrangements & recording, a loads of killer tones. If David Lindley, Jeff Beck & Jimi Hendrix ever worked together, in my mind they would sound like this.
I really like this one!
author: John CulpI really like Steinar's original material, and the two covers he did of "Midnight Hour" and "Bad Moon Rising" are very innovative interpretations. As a budding slide player myself, I found this CD inspired me to try playing different things. I've taken the CD around as I worked and also played it at home, and everyone who's listened to it liked it.
If you haven't ordered a copy, do yourself a favor and order one now!
author: Mark WhiteAbsolutely beautifully crafted arrangements and tasteful playing from beginning to end. A true joy to listen to. The lap steel.... placed in a musical environment where you wouldn't normally find it and blending perfectly. Steinar plays with such feeling I still have goose bumps. If you haven't ordered a copy do yourself a favor. Outstanding piece of work Steinar, thank you!
Rich and warm with substance and depth.
author: David M. SieglerThis is a wonderful CD. The overall feel of the disc is of a really fine soundtrack to a great movie. It has a mix of rich atmospheric songs along with some vocal numbers, both original and covers. I generally find soundtrack CDs disappointing but in this case I would hope the movie lived up to the soundtrack.***** Southern Moon sets the rich, warm atmosphere that lets you know you're in for a treat. You aren't let down as you listen to the rest of the disc.***** There are several songs on here (Waltzing Elisa and Northern Lights for instance) that are just too beautiful for words... thus they don't have any lyrics. Seriously, there are some songs that are so rich and emotional that you just want to melt with the notes. Soulful is probably the closest word.***** Speaking of soulful, but in a different way, Steinar's voice is a soulful surprise. It works! John Fogerty's song Bad Moon Rising was always an upbeat rockin' song for me. Steinar turns it into a thoughtful beauty... someone should build a movie around it.***** As I listen to the disc I hear nods to Jimi Hendrix, Lowell George, Bonnie Raitt, David Lindley, the laid back side of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jaco Pastorious and even a bit of Frank Zappa. I know there are others but I can't place them yet. Overall, it's definitely Steinar. As I said, they're more like nods, not "oh, now he's copying...". It's like he has spent years listening to them and he can't help but be influenced by them. He seems to have good taste!***** I have had numerous friends interrupt conversations to ask me what/who we're listening to when one of Steinar's songs shuffles to the forefront during a dinner or a party - always a good sign of great music.***** Excellent work Steinar, keep 'em coming!!!
- author: Bill Winner
It's a must buy. Hard to express in words, must hear. Fantastic guitar and slide work. Very creative and original. Steinar plays great frettless bass. You will enjoy this.
Awesome debut from a real talent
author: slackandsteelIt's not very often that a musician comes along who can do it all and yet has the maturity to do so with such taste and restraint. Although Steinar Gregertsen could have used his impressive talent as a songwriter, instrumentalist and vocalist to "shock and awe" us like so many others, his debut CD "Southern Moon Northern Lights" showcases his talent in a more refined, mature way that continues to keep the listener coming back for more. Steinar is obviously a musician who has been honing his craft for a long time, and it shows on this recording. He has a knack for playing the perfect part on all instruments, whether it be his flawless lap steel playing, haunting fretless bass, or tasteful electric guitar parts. You can hear some of his influences in his playing (David Lindley, Hendrix, Eberhard Weber) but ultimately his is a unique voice. His own compositions are inspired, as are his covers of "God Only Knows", "Midnight Hour" and "Bad Moon Rising". My rating: 5 BIG stars!
Get this CD!
author: John SubikInspired writing, fresh interpretations, flawless execution and lush tonalities all seamlessly combined to produce a slide player's delight. The more you listen to it the better it gets. Very highly recommended!