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!
Nobody but the Moon
Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
HOLDING 100 LIVES
WITH FEARFUL EYES
THEY STARE AT THE ROARING SEA
LEFT THEIR HOMES AND FAMILIES
SEEKING OUT A BETTER SHORE
PRAYING THIS SHIP
NOBODY HEARD THE SCREAMING
NOBODY HEARD THEIR CRIES
NOBODY BUT THE MOON
NOBODY BUT THE MOON
AND AS THE WATER KEPT RISING HIGHER
AIN'T NOBODY THERE TO HEED THEIR CALL
NOBODY BUT THE MOON
NOBODY BUT THE MOON
A CHILD ALONE IN THE CITY
CURLED UP IN THE COLD
WITH TIRED EYES
AND A HEART THAT'S TURNED TO STONE
HE'S GOT NO DREAMS
HE'S GOT NO HOPE
HE AIN'T GOT NOWHERE TO SLEEP
SITS THERE ALL ALONE AS NIGHTTIME FALLS
NOBODY HEARD HIM CRYING
NOBODY SAW HIS TEARS
NOBODY BUT THE MOON
NOBODY BUT THE MOON
AND AS HIS STONE HEART STOPPED BEATING
AIN'T NOBODY THERE TO HOLD HIS HAND
NOBODY BUT THE MOON
NOBODY BUT THE MOON
IT'S TIME TO BRING ABOUT CHANGES
IT'S TIME TO REARRANGE
THROW SOME LOVE IN THE WORLD
THROW SOME LOVE IN THE WORLD
TELL ME WHO'S GONNA LEAD THE BATTLE
WHO'S GONNA TURN US AROUND
THROW SOME LOVE IN THE WORLD
RAIN DOWN SOME LOVE IN THE WORLD
THROW A HELPING HAND TO SOMEBODY IN NEED
STAND HEART TO HEART
NOBODY HEARD THE SCREAMING
NOBODY HEARD THEIR CRIES
NOBODY BUT THE MOON
NOBODY BUT THE MOON
The song "Nobody but the Moon" by Thorbjørn Risager tells the story of two different individuals who are facing their own personal struggles in life. The first verse describes a boat holding 100 lives, all of whom are seeking a better life and are scared of the tumultuous sea that surrounds them. The lyrics highlight the desperation and fear that these individuals face as they left their homes and families behind, hoping to find a safe haven in a new land. However, nobody hears their screams or their cries, nobody but the moon, as the ship begins to sink and the people aboard are left to fend for themselves.
The second verse tells the story of a child who is alone in the city, cold and without any hope or dreams. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a lost child, curled up in the streets with nowhere to go. Again, nobody hears his cries or sees his tears, nobody but the moon as he ultimately passes away alone.
The song ultimately calls for change and love in the world. The lyrics implore listeners to "throw some love in the world" and to "throw a helping hand to somebody in need." Overall, "Nobody but the Moon" is a powerful song that highlights the struggles faced by individuals in society, while holding onto the hope of kindness and compassion.
Line by Line Meaning
A BOAT DRIFTS CROSS THE OCEAN
A boat carrying 100 people is sailing across the ocean.
HOLDING 100 LIVES
The boat is carrying 100 people who are risking their lives on this journey.
WITH FEARFUL EYES
The passengers are scared and anxious about what lies ahead.
THEY STARE AT THE ROARING SEA
The passengers are looking at the sea which is dangerous and turbulent.
LEFT THEIR HOMES AND FAMILIES
The passengers have left behind their homes and loved ones in search of a better future.
SEEKING OUT A BETTER SHORE
They are trying to find a better, safer place to live.
PRAYING THIS SHIP
The passengers are hoping that this boat will
GONNA SAIL THEM TO THE PROMISED LAND
take them to the place they hope to settle in and start anew.
NOBODY HEARD THE SCREAMING
No one was there to hear the cries and screams of the passengers in distress.
NOBODY HEARD THEIR CRIES
The passengers' cries for help went unheard.
NOBODY BUT THE MOON
The only witness to their pain and suffering was the moon in the night sky.
AND AS THE WATER KEPT RISING HIGHER
With the water level rising, the danger continues to increase.
AIN'T NOBODY THERE TO HEED THEIR CALL
No one is available to respond to their cries for help.
A CHILD ALONE IN THE CITY
A child is by himself in a desolate urban area.
CURLED UP IN THE COLD
The child is huddled together trying to stay warm in the cold city.
WITH TIRED EYES
The child's eyes are droopy and exhausted.
AND A HEART THAT'S TURNED TO STONE
The child's heart has hardened due to the harsh conditions he has faced.
HE'S GOT NO DREAMS
The child has lost hope and doesn't dream of a better future for himself.
HE'S GOT NO HOPE
The child has given up hope of finding any relief from his struggles.
HE AIN'T GOT NOWHERE TO SLEEP
The child is homeless and has no place to sleep.
SITS THERE ALL ALONE AS NIGHTTIME FALLS
The child remains sitting alone as the night begins to set in.
NOBODY HEARD HIM CRYING
The child's cries for help went unheard.
NOBODY SAW HIS TEARS
The child's tears went unnoticed.
AND AS HIS STONE HEART STOPPED BEATING
As the child's heart stopped beating and he passed away.
AIN'T NOBODY THERE TO HOLD HIS HAND
There was no one there to offer comfort or support as the child passed away.
IT'S TIME TO BRING ABOUT CHANGES
It is time to make changes in society to address these problems.
IT'S TIME TO REARRANGE
We need to reorder our priorities to focus on helping those in need.
THROW SOME LOVE IN THE WORLD
We need to spread love so that people can experience kindness and understanding.
TELL ME WHO'S GONNA LEAD THE BATTLE
We need someone to take charge and fight for change.
WHO'S GONNA TURN US AROUND
Who will lead the way and guide us towards progress?
RAIN DOWN SOME LOVE IN THE WORLD
Let love shine through and help us find common ground.
THROW A HELPING HAND TO SOMEBODY IN NEED
Offer your assistance to those who are struggling.
STAND HEART TO HEART
Let us stand together with empathy and compassion.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: EMIL OLIVER BALSGAARD, HANS NYBO JORGENSEN, JOACHIM SVENSMARK, KASPER MICHAEL WAGNER, MARTIN SEIDELIN SORENSEN, PETER WEIENDORP KEHL, SOREN BOJGAARD, THORBJORN RISAGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind