Album of the Month : November 2000
Olesen-Olesen (DK):
« Der er brev fra onkel Bob i Amerika » ( Midget )
It's amazing how a simple vowel can make things change ! For example, write OLSEN/OLSEN: What you get is a duet of fifty-something Danish brothers, shameless composers of the Eurovision song 2000. Now, write OLESEN-OLESEN: You still get Danish brothers, but younger than the previous ones and fine purveyors of great pop-music since 1986, first with their band GREENE ( 3 albums in English from 1992 to 1996), then as OLESEN-OLESEN ( 3 albums in Danish, including the one we're talking about).
Each new album by OLESEN-OLESEN is like receiving mail from very dear and close friends :You know more or less what they're going to tell you, but it's damn good to hear from them again. You were just missing their familiar and hearty presence... With « Der er brev fra onkel Bob i Amerika », it's almost a chain letter affair, as this title means « A short letter from uncle Bob in America ». Unfortunately, my knowledge of Danish stops here, but no need to wonder if that mysterious " Uncle Bob" has something to do with one Robert Zimmerman : on the uplifting Slet skjult selvbiografi , the organ whirls and swirls like if Garth Hudson in person was at the commands. And Bob Dylan's name is even mentioned in the chorus of Venter på renæssancen.
But there's more than only Dylan in Peter & Henrik Olesen's personal pantheon : backed with a lightweight accompaniment of guitar and glockenspiel, Ikke kun i nordvest displays the same elusive charm that graced the Velvet's Sunday morning , while Hologram is more in the Go-Betweens' vein with its fine " Pa, pa, pa" backing vocals and lap-steel caresses. The list of highlights wouldn't be complete without the subtle melody of Farvel store ego or the strange merry-go-round barrel organ that underlines the closing track Analog depression. And towering over the rest, the sheer radiance of Audrey Hepburn , as delicate, elegant and classy as was Miss Funny Face herself.
Each new album by OLESEN-OLESEN is like receiving mail from very dear and close friends : you like them better every time... It's up to you to join the club ....