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Kari Bremnes,
one of Norway's most influential, successful and critically
acclaimed artists, is finally releasing her first international
album. For almost 20 years she has been
presenting indisputable quality music and lyrics, with an ongoing
increasing popularity and recognition. Long overdue, in many
people's opinion, she now presents a collection of her best songs
- still in her very own and unique style - with English lyrics
Her recording career started
in 1980 and after releasing 4 albums with her brother Ola, she
released her debut solo album "Mitt ville hjerte" ("My wild
heart") in 1987. Since then she has released 7 solo albums, all
with songs in Norwegian. Her eight solo albums, including a "Best
of…" album in 1995, have sold over 350 000 units, and earning her
two Norwegian Grammy´s ("Spelemannprisen") Although with Norwegian
lyrics, close to 40 000 units is sold internationally.
Her early musical influences
were a.o. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Joni Mitchell and Jaques
Brel, and later elements of jazz, rock and theatre shone through
in her music. Throughout her career she has developed her very
personal style, easy to recognise through her strong and mystical
vocal performance. On all her albums, Kari has made use of
musicians from various musical genres, contributing to her exotic
style.
The lyrical content has from
the very start been a trademark quality on her works. Both before
and after she introduced her own lyrics, on the second solo album
"Blĺ krukke" ("Blue Jar") in 1989, she has very carefully chosen
lyricists for her albums, from the Danish poet Tove Ditlevsen on
her debut, to world famous Norwegian painter Edvard Munch´s unique
small poems on "Lřsrivelse" ( "Separation") in 1993.
Kari has also made
successful contributions to various collaborating recording and
concert projects, from "Salmer pĺ veien hjem" with traditional
hymns and religious folksongs, the above mentioned "Cohen pĺ norsk"
with Norwegian interpretations of songs by Leonard Cohen to "The
Man From God Knows Where", a modern American/Irish/Norwegian folk
opera by American author/singer/songwriter Tom Russell.
In addition to the success
of her recordings, Kari is one of the most sought after live
performers, and has also taken part in numerous radio and TV
programs. With various musicians, she has played sold out concert
halls throughout Norway for years. In 1995 she toured Japan ( a 20
date tour) and last year she was invited to play at The John F.
Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts in Washington, USA.
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