I
Kari Bremnes

About:

9 December 1956

Kari Bremnes (born in Svolvær, Lofoten) is a Norwegian singer and songwriter. In 1977, at the age of seventeen, she moved to Oslo to pursue an acting career. She also worked in a psychiatric hospital before attended the Oslo University. Here she got an MA in language, literature , history and theater. She worked several years as a journalist but couldn’t stay away from making music. During this period she met Erik Bye and Otto Nielsen from the NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Company). She also started performing with her brother Ola.

In 1986 she asked composer Petter Henriksen if he could write music to the poems of Tove Ditlevsen. She introduced the songs during a radioshow about the poet. Being enthusiastic about the result Kari tried to get an album released with the songs but this turned out harder then she expected. After several attempts Erik Hillestad from the label Kirkelig Kulturverksted agreed to release her debut 'Mitt ville hjerte' ('My wild heart'). The record was a success and Kari received the Spellemannprisen'' (the Norwegian Grammy). She received the award for the second time in 1991 for the record 'Spor'.

Although mainly singing in her native tongue Kari release two English albums in 2000 and 2003. The albums feature translations of her Norwegian work. Kari also recorded albums with her two brothers. In 2001 Kari with Lars and Ola released a trio album called 'Soløye' which again received the Spellemannprise. In 2006 the trio undertook a European tour of which the live-album 'Reise' reports.

On the web:

- Kari's official website: http://www.karibremnes.no

What do we think:

PR: Kari is a very serious singersongwriter from Norway. Every one of her songs 'breathe' the Norwegian country (at least so it appears to me). Her songs are introvert and introspective, somewhat cold and distant perhaps some may say, but underneath the surface, you will hear a very strong undercurrent of emotions. Is this Norwegian soul? If you are looking for an introduction to Kari Bremnes, start with 'Erindring' (as I did). It is a beautiful collection of her songs from the first half of her career.

DB: Norwegian soul of the better kind. Kari's warm voice flows from your speakers like a fire on a cold winter's night. While the jazz crowd runs off with American songbook jukebox Silje Nergard, Kari Bremnes brings you original compositions and tales from the country with the endless fjords and forests. Intellegent pop/blues without being boring.

If you like this, you probably like.. / european counterparts:

Dimitra Galani (Greece)

Albums:

♪♪♪♪ - Mi ville hjerte - 1987

♪♪♪ - Blå krukke - 1989

♪♪♪- Spor - 1991

♪♪♪♪ - Løsrivelse - 1993

♪♪♪♪ - Gåte Ved Gåte - 1994

♪♪♪ - Erindring (collection) - 1995

♪♪♪ - Månestein - 1997

♪♪♪ - Svarta Bjørn - 1998

♪♪♪ - Norwegian mood - 2000

♪♪♪♪ - 11 ubesvarte anrop - 2002

♪♪♪♪ - You'd have to be here - 2002

♪♪♪♪ - Over en by - 2005

♪♪♪♪♪ - Reise (live) - 2007

♪♪♪♪ - Ly - 2009

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♪♪♪♪♪ = outstanding album, an absolute must-have
♪♪♪♪ = great album, highly recomended
♪♪♪ = nice album
♪♪ = be careful, requires listening before buying
♪ = best to be avoided