Gary Olson - Gary Olson
by Nicky Crewe
published: 13 / 7 / 2020

Label:
Tapete Records
Format: CD
intro
Ex Ladybird Transistor frontman Gary Olson joins forces with Norwegian brothers Ole Johannes and Jorn Aleskjaer to create a perfect indie pop album that was eight years in the making
Gary Olson met the Alskjaer brothers when Ladybug Transistor toured with their band, Loch Ness Mouse. Olson’s Marlborough Farms studio in Flatbush, Brooklyn and the Alskjaer’s Tune-J studio in Hayland, Norway became the twin locations where this collaborative album was created and produced. Over a period of eight years music flowed back and forth between the two studios, bringing different and complementary influences to this collection of eleven songs. The arrangements are beautiful, with strings, harmonies and Gary Olson’s distinctively uplifting trumpet sound as well as his lovely singing voice. They are simple and yet sophisticated at the same time. Nothing is out of place. The melodies invite you to sing along, soon becoming familiar favourites. There are stories and characters in the lyrics which invite you in. Current favourites are the opening track 'Navy Boats', 'Some Advice', 'Afternoon Into Evening' and 'Diego It’s Time', but there’s really no need to choose with an album this enjoyable. Eight years is a long time to stay committed to a project and to remain motivated to see it through. The shared conviction has paid off, and it’s been well worth the wait. When Gary Olson was asked how he would like the album to be listened to, he replied, "I’d suggest listening in a moving train facing the window. Close your eyes and feel the sunlight pass between the trees. Open your eyes slowly and realize you’ve missed your stop, repeat." I’m using my imagination to recreate that dream of train travel in these lockdown days. This soundtrack is perfect. There’s even a track called 'A Dream For a Memory;.
Track Listing:-
1 Navy Boats2 Giovanna Please
3 Some Advice
4 Postcard From Lisbon
5 All Points North
6 Initials DC
7 Afternoon Into Evening
8 Diego It’s Time
9 A Dream For A Memory
10 Tourists Taking Photographs
11 The Old Twin
Label Links:-
http://www.tapeterecords.de/https://www.facebook.com/tapeterecords
https://twitter.com/tapete
https://www.youtube.com/user/tapeterecords/videos
bandcamp
most viewed articles
current edition
Pennyblackmusic - Writers and Photographers' Albums of the Year 2024Peter Perrett - In Dreams Begin Responsibilities Interview Part One
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Clive Langer - Interview
Pennyblackmusic - Book of the Year Award 2024
Johnnie Johnstone - Interview
Marianne Faithfull - Reflections
Laura Nyro - Profile
Johny Brown - Corpse Flower
Vinyl Stories - Vinyl 2024
most viewed reviews
current edition
Dorie Jackson - Stupid Says RunRingo Starr - Look Up
Beabadoobee - This is How The World Moves
Pixie Lott - Encino
Dusty Springfield - The BBC Sessions
Unthanks - In Winter
Joan Armatrading - How Did This Happen and What Does It Mean?
Rosie Lowe - Lover, Other
Oïmiakon - Comptoir Des Vanites
Emily Burns - Die Happy
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart