In 2014, something unusual happened. On the strength of their breakthrough … Read Full Bio ↴In 2014, something unusual happened. On the strength of their breakthrough album Too Many Roads, Denmark’s Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado went global.

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!

Maybe It's Alright
Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

MAYBE IT'S ALRIGHT

15 YEARS OF TROUBLE
15 YEARS OF JOY
15 YEARS GONE BY
AT THE WINK OF AN EYE

ONCE THERE WAS A FIRE

NOW THERE'S ONLY SMOKE
BUT DOWN BELOW THE ASHES
THERE'S STILL A SPARK THAT BURNS MY SOUL

BUT MAYBE IT'S ALRIGHT
MAYBE THERE'S LOVE ENOUGH
IF WE HOLD ON
SAVE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT LOVING STUFF

WHEN EVER I COME KNOCKING
YOU ALWAYS LET ME IN
YOU LIFT ME UP AND PUT ME BACK DOWN
ON SOLID GROUND AGAIN

IF I EVER LET YOU DOWN
AND CAUSED YOUR TEARS TO FALL
DARLING PLEASE FORGIVE ME
HAVE MERCY ON MY SOUL

BUT MAYBE IT'S ALRIGHT
MAYBE THERE'S LOVE ENOUGH

IF WE HOLD ON
SAVE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT LOVING STUFF

Overall Meaning

The Black Tornado's song "Maybe It's Alright" explores the complexities of a long-term relationship. The lyrics speak to the idea that 15 years of love can bring both joy and trouble, along with the realization that time passes by in a wink of an eye. The metaphor of fire and smoke is used to describe the fading passion in the relationship, but the singer acknowledges that there is still a spark burning in his soul, despite the ashes below.

The chorus of the song, "Maybe it's alright, maybe there's love enough, if we hold on, save a little bit of that loving stuff" suggests that although the relationship has had ups and downs, there may be enough love to keep it going. Even though the singer admits to causing tears to fall in the past, he asks for forgiveness and mercy, indicating a willingness to work on the relationship.

Overall, the song is a reflection on the complexities of love and the importance of holding on to the good parts, even during difficult times.

Line by Line Meaning

15 YEARS OF TROUBLE
I've had difficult times for 15 years

15 YEARS OF JOY
I've had happy times for 15 years

15 YEARS GONE BY
These 15 years have passed so quickly

AT THE WINK OF AN EYE
Time has flown by in the blink of an eye

ONCE THERE WAS A FIRE
There was passion and excitement in the past

NOW THERE'S ONLY SMOKE
But now that passion has faded

BUT DOWN BELOW THE ASHES
Despite the loss of passion

THERE'S STILL A SPARK THAT BURNS MY SOUL
I still have a deep emotional connection to what we had

MAYBE IT'S ALRIGHT
Maybe it's okay to still feel this way

MAYBE THERE'S LOVE ENOUGH
Maybe love is strong enough to sustain us