Credits:

Tord Gustavsen

Description:

Pianist Tord Gustafsen, who has been active for 12 years and whose 2005 album "The Ground" reached No. 1 on the Norwegian pop charts and has since become a firm favorite in his home country, has been joined by drummer Jarle Vespestad, who has been with the trio for many years, and Afghan/Jerman vocalist Simin Tander on voice in this unusual work. The trio's work is a unique work that expresses Norwegian church trad music in the most non-traditional way, with drummer Jarle Vespestad and Afghan/Jerman vocalist Simin Tander, who have been with the trio for many years, on voice. To work on the repertoire for this project, Simin and I worked with an Afghan poet to translate into Pashto a number of hymns I've been singing since I was a child in Norway. It was challenging and very rewarding. The more we learned, the more 'integral' our translations became, until finally we reached a point where Sufism and Christianity actually met. Norwegian hymns are my standard, and they are much deeper in my music and spirit than typical jazz. The sound and atmosphere of Norwegian hymns in Pashto is really fascinating." He says.There are also parts sung in English with verses by the Persian mystic Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207-73) and the American proto-beat poet Kenneth Rexroth (1905-82).

Tracklisting:

1.Your Grief
2.I See You
3.Imagine the Fog Disappearing
4.Castle in Heaven, A
5.Journey of Life
6.I Refuse
7.What Was Said to the Rose/O Sacred Head
8.Way You Play My Heart, The
9.Nocturnal Masquerade
10.Dejection/Despondency
11.Schizophrenic Jubilee
12.Waltz of Madmen