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!
In The Back Of My Mind
Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I RUN THROUGH THE DARK
WITH A DEVIL ON MY TRAIL
CAN'T TURN BACK
NO I CAN'T TURN BACK
AFTER 100 MILES OF RUNNING
I CANT FIND MY WAY
CAN'T FIND MY WAY
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
MY HEART BEATS LIKE THUNDER
TIME'S RUNNING LOW
NO ONE HEAR MY CRIES HEAR MY CRIES
I HEARD THAT DEVIL HOWL
SAW THE MOON TURN RED
I GOT NO WHERE TO HIDE
NO WHERE TO HIDE
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
Thorbjørn Risager's song "In the Back of My Mind" is a haunting tale of a runner being pursued by a devil. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a dark, desperate situation. The runner is in the midst of a race, running through the night with a devil on their trail. The runner is unable to turn back, even though they are exhausted and lost. They hear their heart beating like thunder while time is running out. They call out, but no one hears their cries.
The imagery in the song is dark and foreboding, with the repetition of the phrase "down in the back of my mind" adding to the sense of despair. The runner is unable to escape their pursuer, and they know that there is nowhere to hide. The devil howls, and the moon turns red, adding to the sense of menace.
The song can be interpreted in a number of ways, but it seems to touch on the theme of facing our fears and the consequences of our actions. The runner is literally being pursued by a demonic force, but the imagery could also represent the internal struggles we all face. We each have our own demons to contend with, and sometimes we feel like there is nowhere to hide.
Overall, "In the Back of My Mind" is a powerful song that captures the feeling of being pursued and hounded by our fears. The dark, moody music and lyrics create a sense of unease and tension that stays with the listener long after the song has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
I RUN THROUGH THE DARK
I am facing my darkest fears
WITH A DEVIL ON MY TRAIL
I am being pursued by my inner demons
CAN'T TURN BACK
I am committed to facing my fears
NO I CAN'T TURN BACK
I refuse to give in to my fears
AFTER 100 MILES OF RUNNING
After facing my fears for a long time
FEET COLD AND BARE
I am emotionally drained and vulnerable
I CANT FIND MY WAY
I am lost and directionless
CAN'T FIND MY WAY
I am struggling to find meaning in my life
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
My deepest fears and anxieties
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
My most private thoughts and emotions
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
My innermost struggles
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
My subconscious fears and anxieties
MY HEART BEATS LIKE THUNDER
I am consumed by anxiety and fear
TIME'S RUNNING LOW
I am running out of time to face my fears
NO ONE HEAR MY CRIES HEAR MY CRIES
I am alone in my struggles
I HEARD THAT DEVIL HOWL
My inner demons are getting stronger
SAW THE MOON TURN RED
I am experiencing a moment of intense fear and anxiety
I GOT NO WHERE TO HIDE
I can no longer avoid facing my fears
NO WHERE TO HIDE
I have to confront my inner demons
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
My deepest fears and anxieties
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
My most private thoughts and emotions
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
My innermost struggles
DOWN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
My subconscious fears and anxieties
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: EMIL OLIVER BALSGAARD, KASPER MICHAEL WAGNER, MARTIN SEIDELIN, PETER J SKJERNING, PETER WEIENDORP KEHL, SOREN BOJGAARD, THORBJORN RISAGER
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