Kim Rysstad, Arve Henriksen‎ & Tord Gustavsen‎ - Villfarande barn (2023)

Whatever one thinks and believes about salvation, sin and grace, one must have a heart of stone not to believe in Kim Rysstad when he interprets old spiritual songs such as "Jesus din søde forening at smake", "Villfarande barn" and " Langt Inn På Ville Heii".

To arrangements created in the intoxication of the moment by Tord Gustavsen (piano) and Arve Henriksen (trumpet), Rysstad sings about the abyss of depravity, the suffering of the wailing valley, wandering souls and the need for salvation.

It happens on a new album that has been entitled "Wandering children". At first glance, it may look like a rather outdated collection of songs and quite strange to bring to the market in an age where sin, shame and hell have become taboo words and the prophets of the time prescribe the joys of the moment as the meaning of life.

The old songs of Pietism describe a picture of the world where the individual's salvation is threatened by perdition and dark abysses. Can these old songs be understood in new ways in our time where we as humanity more than ever in modern times experience bewilderment and insecurity about the future?

Many of us recognize that pandemic, war and climate crisis, technological development and polarization are about to lead us astray. Can Kim Rysstad give us inspiration for a new reading of pietism's texts? No matter where you stand in relation to this, the music and performance on this album is so gripping that not even a hard-boiled atheist can protect himself from the lyrics Kim Rysstad conveys.

This is not only due to the singer's unique qualities and presence, but also to a three-dimensional soundscape where the dynamics and power of Gustavsen and Henriksen's improvisations lead us into a landscape where a series of colorful panoramic images enchants the listener. Both musicians supplement their instruments with electronics.

The album was recorded by technician and producer Erik Hillestad over three days in January at Kulturkirken Jakob in Oslo. In early summer, the trio will hold a release concert during the festival "Deep breaths" in Tanum church in Bærum. It happens at Pentecost.

Tracklist
01. Nu rinner solen opp
02. Langt inn på ville heii
03. Jammer
04. Jesus din søde forening at smake
05. Jesus gjør meg stille
06. Interludium 1
07. Å at eg kunne min Jesus prise
08. Lær meg å kjenne dine veie
09. Villfarande barn
10. Adamsvise
11. Interludium 2
12. Farvel, farvel
13. Ned i vester soli glader