Now it’s one thing for an artist from Copenhagen to enjoy success at home and in a few adjacent countries. But the release of Too Many Roads saw the seven-piece combo fronted by singer and guitarist Risager gaining widespread notoriety in the U.S. and being invited to play in locales as far away as Mumbai, India. The album took home the Danish Music Award as the Top Blues Album of 2014 and also earned Germany’s illustrious “Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik,” but perhaps even more impressively, it was selected as one the year’s best by Britain’s influential The Blues magazine, right alongside international stars like Robert Cray, Walter Trout and Joe Bonamassa. Clearly, Risager and his mates had taken their exhilarating mix of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll to the next level.
Early in 2015, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado celebrated that triumph by returning to one of their favorite nightspots – the Harmonie in Bonn, Germany. They would treat local fans to a one-of-a-kind spectacle, hitting the stage as a ten-piece mini-orchestra. After Thomas Ruf of Ruf Records introduces this deluxe edition of the band – including a three-man horn section and backing vocalists Ida Bang und Lisa Lystam – the colossal sound of Risager’s semi-hollow body spearheads the all-out attack of opening number “If You Wanna Leave.” He and his Black Tornado are off to the races…
The succeeding 100-minute concert, captured on CD and DVD for the newest addition to Ruf’s Songs from the Roadseries, shows off every facet of this unique conglomeration of musicians. There’s the sinuous funk of “Paradise” and the furious boogie of “The Straight and Narrow Line” (featuring big-time playing by piano man Emil Balsgaard and saxophonist Hans Nybo). There’s the twin-guitar blues of “Too Many Roads” and the rough-and-tumble attitude of “Rock ‘n’ Roll Ride.” There’s the chilling “China Gate” and the dark drama of “Long Forgotten Track.” Finally, the band whips the crowd into frenzy with their ultra-groovy take on the classic “Baby Please Don’t Go” and the timeless party anthem “Let The Good Times Roll,” the latter track showcasing the talents of lead guitarist Peter Skjerning. The funk workout “Opener” and the charming “I Won’t Let You Down” (performed as a duet with Lisa Lystam) offer some welcome after play.
More than anything, Songs from the Road shows that the success of Too Many Roads was no fluke. Thorbjørn Risager and his highly skilled accomplices have perfected a spicy blend of musical ingredients. The hundreds of shows they’ve played during the past few years have them running like a well-oiled machine. More great things can be expected of them in the future – but until then, we have this brilliant document of a band that is quietly revolutionizing the way we look at the blues.
The Black Tornado band
Thorbjørn Risager – leadvoc, gtr
Emil Balsgaard – keys
Peter Skjerning – gtr,voc
Kasper Wagner – alto-/barythonsax
Hans Nybo – tenorsax, voc
Peter Kehl – trumpet, perc, voc,
Søren Bøjgaard – bass
Martin Seidelin – drums, perc, voc,
The Tornadettes (guest appearance on “Songs from the road” and on special occasions!)
Ida Bang – voc
Lisa Lystam – voc
BAND FACTS
● Nominated for a British Blues Award 2014 & 2015
● Winner of the Danish Music Award 2013 & 2014
● The band was founded in 2003 and 5 of the band members have been there
since the start.
● In 2005 their cooperation with Annika Westman started who has booked
more than 700 concerts for them in 21 countries.
● Songs From The Road is their 10th album in 10 years!
Baby Please Don't Go
Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, please don't go Baby, please don't go Baby, please don't go, down to New Orleans You know I love you so
Before I be your dog Before I be your dog Before I be your dog I get you way'd out here, and let you walk alone
You know your man down gone You know your man down gone You know your man down gone To the country farm, with all the shackles on
You brought me way down here You brought me way down here You brought me way down here 'bout to Rolling Forks, you treat me like a dog
Turn your lamp down low Turn your lamp down low Turn your lamp down low I beg you all night long, baby, please don't go
Before I be your dog Before I be your dog Before I be your dog I get you way'd out here, and let you walk alone
Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado's song Baby Please Don't Go is a classic blues tune that tells a story of someone pleading with their lover not to go to New Orleans, because they love them so much. The repetition of "Baby, please don't go" throughout the song emphasizes the desperation of the singer. They would rather die than lose their love, but they also don't want to be treated like a dog or be shackled on a country farm. The line "You brought me way down here, 'bout to Rolling Forks, you treat me like a dog" speaks to the idea of being dragged down by love to a place where you feel abandoned and mistreated by your partner.
The chorus, "Before I be your dog, I get you way'd out here, and let you walk alone" suggests a sense of pride and dignity, that the singer would rather walk alone than be treated poorly by their lover. The plea to "Turn your lamp down low" in the second verse can be interpreted as the singer asking for intimacy and quiet reflection, hoping to persuade their partner to stay. Overall, the song expresses themes of love, desperation, dignity, and autonomy.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, please don't go
The singer is pleading with their lover to not leave them.
Down to New Orleans
You know I love you so
The singer is begging their lover to stay with them instead of going to New Orleans.
Before I be your dog
The singer would rather be alone than be treated like a subordinate or pet by their lover.
I get you way'd out here, and let you walk alone
The artist would rather let their lover leave and be on their own than stay in a relationship where they are not treated as an equal.
You know your man down gone
To the country farm, with all the shackles on
The artist is warning their lover that if they leave, they will be left alone in a place where they feel trapped or restrained.
You brought me way down here
'bout to Rolling Forks, you treat me like a dog
The singer feels mistreated and disrespected by their lover, who brought them to Rolling Forks only to treat them unfairly.
Turn your lamp down low
I beg you all night long, baby, please don't go
The singer is desperate for their lover to stay, begging them all night to not leave by asking them to turn down the lamp and stay with them.
Before I be your dog
I get you way'd out here, and let you walk alone
The artist would rather be alone than be treated like a subordinate or pet by their lover.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joseph Lee Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Florence Rouvillois
Amazing voice !!!
barrylee55
this really kicks!!!,,, great rendition
juan fonseca
Heard it on Aardvark Blues Radio , great rhythm, voice and brass section!
mafal4824
Thorbjørn Risager at the International Festiblues of Montreal, Saturday August 11th, 8:00 PM. If you happen to be in the area, do not miss it. Great artist. I most certainly will not miss it. So Happy to finally see him in concert!!!
Jona's Blues Band
Great music !!!
Ybom C
wow, me encantó!, nunca lo había oído. De mis favoritos de ahora en adelante! =)
janaxel1
The voice!!!!!
Don Bailey
Since Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and many others played it & then the great hard-rock blues band Arrowsmith recorded it more than 10 years ago, I've been hangin' around, hoping for a happy medium. This cool, stylish rendition by the great Danish blues singer makes me hope that he'll catch the next plane to my home state of Texas. If he does, me & my folks will dang sure not miss out on it!
Dilli
Dude, I have just requested that very thing via email. Crossing my fingers. Have you heard "Holllar n' Moan" yet? I live in H-town...but I can go anywhere to see them live.
Taco Gillespie
Yea, if this guy ever makes it to Florida I will damn sure go see him but remember he can't bring this whole band to USA. This is excellent and ole Thorbjorn's gonna keep them rockin in Denmark.His treatment of this old Rhythm and Blues classic is stellar.