From the Topangas' HQ
Latest: The Topangas would like to welcome former Kaizers Orchestra bassist Jon Sjøen onboard!
The current CD "Songs From the Life's Highways"
Bergens Tidende: Clever Cowboy Tricks
«Songs From Life's Highways» A good reason to saddle up!
"Songs From..." is a particularly varied album. Even though the album never loses its consistency, Loren & co are able to give each song its own soul and distinct characteristics. The band challenge themselves to cultivate the eccentricities in each melody line, which provides for good dynamics and a long lifecycle. While the album doesn't challenge conventions or bend boundaries, the Topangas are cultivating the heritage of their inspirational sources with awe and soul. A clever and rock-solid album.
PETTER LØNNINGEN
Could've Been Recorded in 1968 With The Byrds!
8.0 0.0 (0)
CD-informasjon
Artist The Topangas Tittel Songs From Life's Highways Plateselskap Wandering Islander/ Bare Bra Anmelder Johnny Andreassen
BluesNews' Recommendation
If you have a fondness for the music of Doug Sahm-type Tex-Mex/country/r&b or for the flowing, soulful and country-swingin’ sounds of The Mavericks then it could just be that this Norwegian roots band will end up right in your shopping cart!
Renn Loa the american singer-songwriter and primary driving force behind The Topangas has already contributed to recordings by the nationally and internationally successful and critically-acclaimed artists such as; Magnet, Barbie Bones, Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herren Band, Sondre Lerche og Morten Abel. In other words the entire “Bergen Mafia.” He has also worked with the Bergen production kings Yngve Saetre and Hans Petter Gundersen. Not so strange then that it is now payback time when he gathers such ace legendary musicians as Øystein Fosshagen on fiddle (Sunde, Kurt), Tor Bjarne Bjelland on drums (Lorraine), Egil Skjelsnes on pedal steel (Flying Norwegians), Arve Håland and Åge Vaksdal on accordion (Hole In The Wall) and forementioned Hans Petter Gundersen (Madrugada, Sondre Lerche) under a completely different set of musical circumstances than he is normally accustomed. This record could have just as easily have been recorded in 1968 with The Byrds, Asleep At The Wheel and one Doug Sahm in the ringside backing band. This is harmony rich country based roots rock that invites one to sing along. Just try to put on California and resist the temptation to sing along! You may manage if you’re a decided grump or are stone cold sober but the hesitation will certainly fall after a couple of highly appropriate beers. That such an album was recorded in the rain drenched west coast of Norway speaks volumes about the quality both Renn Loa and these chosen musicians possess and wield. We all remember how both Hole In The Wall and The Flying Norwegians created a rocking Americana in the mid-70s. This is very similar but sounds more authentically American, and it swings more like a barn dance if Los Lobos and The Blasters had arranged it with Doug Sahm in Texas! Fittingly Renn’s songs hve been featured in both Norwegian films (the historically successful Hawaii, Oslo) and internationally successful films such as the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie film Mr. and Mrs. Smith. So you won’t look so surprised when you hear this album and end up shouting how damn good it sounds! Recorded in Duper Studio in Bergen where both Dumdum Boys and the year’s sensation John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen have been before them, The Topangas essence is the more upbeat and catchy sides of the previously mentioned Mavericks and Doug Sahm. With perhaps a bit of Bill Kirchens country twang in the blend. This is music to make you smile, feel alive, and as with The Mavericks it’s not the size of your country roots that determines whether you’re allowed to get in on it. I was just recently at Oslo Spektrum and saw Toby Keith for free as a journalist. I would have been happy to pay to see The Topangas! Johnny Andreassen
If you have a fondness for the music of Doug Sahm-type Tex-Mex/country/r&b or for the flowing, soulful and country-swingin’ sounds of The Mavericks then it could just be that this Norwegian roots band will end up right in your shopping cart!
Renn Loa the american singer-songwriter and primary driving force behind The Topangas has already contributed to recordings by the nationally and internationally successful and critically-acclaimed artists such as; Magnet, Barbie Bones, Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herren Band, Sondre Lerche og Morten Abel. In other words the entire “Bergen Mafia.” He has also worked with the Bergen production kings Yngve Saetre and Hans Petter Gundersen. Not so strange then that it is now payback time when he gathers such ace legendary musicians as Øystein Fosshagen on fiddle (Sunde, Kurt), Tor Bjarne Bjelland on drums (Lorraine), Egil Skjelsnes on pedal steel (Flying Norwegians), Arve Håland and Åge Vaksdal on accordion (Hole In The Wall) and forementioned Hans Petter Gundersen (Madrugada, Sondre Lerche) under a completely different set of musical circumstances than he is normally accustomed. This record could have just as easily have been recorded in 1968 with The Byrds, Asleep At The Wheel and one Doug Sahm in the ringside backing band. This is harmony rich country based roots rock that invites one to sing along. Just try to put on California and resist the temptation to sing along! You may manage if you’re a decided grump or are stone cold sober but the hesitation will certainly fall after a couple of highly appropriate beers. That such an album was recorded in the rain drenched west coast of Norway speaks volumes about the quality both Renn Loa and these chosen musicians possess and wield. We all remember how both Hole In The Wall and The Flying Norwegians created a rocking Americana in the mid-70s. This is very similar but sounds more authentically American, and it swings more like a barn dance if Los Lobos and The Blasters had arranged it with Doug Sahm in Texas! Fittingly Renn’s songs hve been featured in both Norwegian films (the historically successful Hawaii, Oslo) and internationally successful films such as the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie film Mr. and Mrs. Smith. So you won’t look so surprised when you hear this album and end up shouting how damn good it sounds! Recorded in Duper Studio in Bergen where both Dumdum Boys and the year’s sensation John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen have been before them, The Topangas essence is the more upbeat and catchy sides of the previously mentioned Mavericks and Doug Sahm. With perhaps a bit of Bill Kirchens country twang in the blend. This is music to make you smile, feel alive, and as with The Mavericks it’s not the size of your country roots that determines whether you’re allowed to get in on it. I was just recently at Oslo Spektrum and saw Toby Keith for free as a journalist. I would have been happy to pay to see The Topangas! Johnny Andreassen
