SIRIL MALMEDAL HAUGE & JACOB YOUNG - Chasing Sunsets
Oslo Session Recordings: OSL008
Siril Malmedal Hauge: voice; Jacob Young: guitar; Knut Riisnaes: saxophone
Recorded by Giert Clausen.
This follows the very well received 2018 ‘Last Things’ set from this duo. Hauge and Young have spent the intervening years on a variety of projects of their own and reunite her to follow this up. Recording with just voice and guitar (even with some overdubbing of the voice to create subtle backing effects) could be daunting as it exposes both artists and leaves them only with their talents to carry the album. There’s a bluesy sax that saunters across track 4 ‘Wake up’ but the for the rest the tunes are entirely the duos. Thankfully Young’s guitar styles sit comfortably in mid Century New York, with occasional forays into Spain, and he not only provides captivating solo excursions but also maintains a steady rhythm with deliciously complicated chord patterns for the tunes. On top of this, Hauge’s clear and haunting voice can range from conversational to confessional, delivery melody with the hint of a smile. Young also sings on his own compositions, in a husky voice that complements the clarity of Hauge.
Each piece has a languid beauty. So even their take on ‘I say a little prayer’ (track 7) is taken a quarter of its normal pace, to align nicely with their takes on ‘Someone to watch over me’ (track 9) or ‘You are so beautiful’ (track 12). In addition to the six tunes that they cover, the album contains original songs from Hauge or Young (3 each). The blend of songs and the unique style that this duo have created look set to make this album every bit as successful as their last.
Reviewed by Chris Baber
Oslo Session Recordings: OSL008
Siril Malmedal Hauge: voice; Jacob Young: guitar; Knut Riisnaes: saxophone
Recorded by Giert Clausen.
This follows the very well received 2018 ‘Last Things’ set from this duo. Hauge and Young have spent the intervening years on a variety of projects of their own and reunite her to follow this up. Recording with just voice and guitar (even with some overdubbing of the voice to create subtle backing effects) could be daunting as it exposes both artists and leaves them only with their talents to carry the album. There’s a bluesy sax that saunters across track 4 ‘Wake up’ but the for the rest the tunes are entirely the duos. Thankfully Young’s guitar styles sit comfortably in mid Century New York, with occasional forays into Spain, and he not only provides captivating solo excursions but also maintains a steady rhythm with deliciously complicated chord patterns for the tunes. On top of this, Hauge’s clear and haunting voice can range from conversational to confessional, delivery melody with the hint of a smile. Young also sings on his own compositions, in a husky voice that complements the clarity of Hauge.
Each piece has a languid beauty. So even their take on ‘I say a little prayer’ (track 7) is taken a quarter of its normal pace, to align nicely with their takes on ‘Someone to watch over me’ (track 9) or ‘You are so beautiful’ (track 12). In addition to the six tunes that they cover, the album contains original songs from Hauge or Young (3 each). The blend of songs and the unique style that this duo have created look set to make this album every bit as successful as their last.
Reviewed by Chris Baber
