Round about the time that Karisma Records were preparing to release “Everything to Everyone”, the fourth solo album from AIRBAG co-founder BJØRN RIIS, the much respected guitarist posited the idea that perhaps the label would be interested in a new mini album, one in which the inspiration he derived from PINK FLOYD could be given free rein.
Of course, Karisma Records were not about to pass up on such an intriguing proposition, and thus work commenced on “A Fleeting Glimpse”, a four-track mini album, which will be released on the 30th September of this year.
Bjørn has always had a huge admiration for PINK FLOYD in general, and guitarist DAVE GILMOUR in particular, and he has long wanted to try and write new material, that, as he says “really tries to get as close to the PINK FLOYD sound, without actually copying or simply doing covers”. And with “A Fleeting Glimpse”, he has more than fulfilled that ambition.
So, for aficionados of both Bjørn and PINK FLOYD, Karisma Records are today releasing a single taken from the upcoming album, and not just any single, because “Dark Shadows (part 1)” features guest vocals by none other than DURGA McBROOM, one of PINK FLOYD’s backing singers during the ’80’s and ’90’s.
“Dark Shadows (part 1)” is available to stream or download from your preferred services at:
https://link.karismarecords.no/Bjorn-Riis_Dark-Shadows-part-1
Accompanying the track is a video directed by Anne-Marie Forker which can be seen below.
It is a track about which Bjørn has this to say:
Dark Shadows (part 1) was originally written for “Everything to Everyone”. I always liked the mood of this song so, for this project, I did some changes to the arrangements and wrote the lyrics. I’m very pleased with how it turned out because it is a powerful blend of both me and my sound and some familiar Floydian moods.
About working with DURGA McBROOM he went on to say:
It was such a thrill for me to work with Durga McBroom and have her beautiful voice on one of my songs. I grew up with that voice! She delivered a truly stunning performance.
McBroom herself seems to have relished the opportunity to have taken part, saying:
I thoroughly enjoyed working on this project. I think the song has a unique sound, and I’m honored to have been asked to sing on it.
“A Fleeting Glimpse” was recorded at the Double Decker Studios, Oslo (Pymlico) and the Riis Studio, Oslo. It was mixed at Subsonic Studio by long-time collaborator Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, and was mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo (WHITE WILLOW, THE OPIUM CARTEL).
Aside from Bjørn on vocals, guitars, bass and keyboards, and guest vocals from Durga McBroom, “A Fleeting Glimpse” also features appearances from Arild and Øyvind Brøter from PYMLICO, Per Øydir and Mimmi Tamba.
Coming in at just under 30 minutes, tracklisting for “A Fleeting Glimpse” is as follows:
1. Dark Shadows (part 1)
2. A Voyage to the Sun
3. Summer Meadows
4. Dark Shadows (part 2)
“A Fleeting Glimpse” will be available in Digisleeve CD, Digital and Limited Edition Transparent Blue Vinyl LP formats, and is now available to pre-order from:
Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/kar240-bjorn-riis-a-fleeting-glimpse/
Bandcamp: https://bjornriis.bandcamp.com/album/a-fleeting-glimpse
North American Webshop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/
Bjørn was still in his teens when guitar-led bands were at the forefront of the rise of the Progressive Rock movement, and this, together with an interest in Electronica and Movie Scores, influenced the young guitarist and led to him developing a style that is filled with soaring leads and gorgeous textures.
His undoubted skill stood him in good stead when he became one of the the founder members, lead guitarist, producer and main songwriter of one of Norway’s most successful Prog bands AIRBAG, and today he is also a prolific solo artist. Moreover, such is his knowledge of, the guitar, and all things related, that his YouTube channel has become an extremely successful destination for guitar fans. The channel can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/c/BjornRiisMusic
Click image to watch the video
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