Beekstraat 1 - B-2640 Mortsel - Belgium

JORN: The Duke

Release

Style

Who does not know him? A living legend because of his marvellous voice! Jorn Lande is the name and his contributions to albums and projects are getting countless. I mention a few of them without having the pretence to be complete: the first Beyond Twilight album, the Nostradamus project of the Bulgarian artist Nicolo Kotzev, Ark, his recent collaboration with Symphony X vocalist Russell Allen at ‘The Battle’ and of course his work as front man of the enormously popular Masterplan. It may sound as a wonder that the man still has time to make solo albums, but Jorn lives and breathes music, that is obvious (and it will become even more clear in the interview we will publish next week with this endearing personality).

Even if Jorn is blessed with a voice one can use in any genre, he never made a secret of it that the music of the seventies and eighties remains his true love. Vocalists as David Coverdale and Ronnie James Dio stay artists for whom he has a huge respect. The music on ‘The Duke’ likewise has the warmth that featured older recordings of bands such as Whitesnake, Deep Purple or Bad Company. Traditional hard rock, written by Jorn together with his friend and colleague musician Jorn Viggo Lofstad (also active in Pagan’s Mind). In the meantime this happens to be the fourth solo album of the quiet, but confident Norwegian artist, while top quality turns out to be a constant factor in his works. For this solo album he was surrounded by renowned musicians like above mentioned guitarist, second guitarist Tore Moren (Arcturus!), bass player Morty Black (TNT), long time friend Willy Bendiksen on drums (The Snakes) and Don Airey on keyboards (this one needs no further introduction I guess).

Actually, we can summarize ‘The Duke’ in one sentence: this is David Coverdale, Dio and Paul Rodgers united in one person. The album opens with the in Dio style sung ‘We Brought The Angels Down’. ‘Blacksong’ and ‘End Of Time’ Jorn considers as the most his own style. Most Jornish J! Solid rhythms are graced with fast but emotive guitar skills. ‘End Of Time’ has a slightly slower start, while ‘Duke Of Love’ reminds me a bit of Deep Purple. A next highlight is ‘Burning Chains’. The heydays of Bad Company (I am talking about the beginning) come to life again and such beautiful acoustic guitars in this song. It made my flesh creep! The melancholic ‘After The Dying’ sends shivers down my spine too. ‘Are You Ready’ returns to a smooth rocking timbre. It is nearly impossible to pick out some highlights, because the entire album is just top notch class! Do buy this, that is all I can say!

Musicians

Jorn Lande: vocals
Tore Moren: guitars
Jorn Viggo Lofstad: guitars
Morty Black: bass
Don Airy: keyboards
Willy Bendiksen: drums

We Brought The Angels Down (1:17)
Blacksong (4:40)
Stormcrow (4:46)
End Of Time (5:06)
Duke Of Love (4:46)
Burning Chains (4:24)
After The Dying (3:33)
Midnight Madness (4:33)
Are You Ready (4:12)
Starfire (4:01)

Starfire (2000)
Worldchanger (2001)
Out To Every Nation (2004)
The Duke (2006)

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Last updated: 26/02/2006 .
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