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!
Over The Hill
Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
THERE'S A CHANGE IN ME
SOMEBODY DONE CHASED
ALL THEM CLOUDS FAR AWAY FROM HERE
AND I FEEL LIKE I'M GONNA LEAVE
GONNA RIDE STRAIGHT OUT OF THIS TOWN
I'M GOING OVER THE HILL
I GOT GOOD TIMES COMING MY WAY
THIS OLD TOWN'S GETTING TO CROWDY
THIS HERE CITY'S WEARING ME DOWN
I CAN'T WAIT TO GET GET BACK
BACK OUT ON THE OPEN ROAD
SOMEBODY HAND ME DOWN MY WALKING CANE
SOMEBODY LEND ME A HELPING HAND
I'M GOING OVER THE HILL
I GOT GOOD TIMES COMING MY WAY
THERE AIN'T ONE THING IN THIS HERE WORLD THAT I WON'T DO
AIN'T ONE THING THAT I WON'T SAY
TO KEEP THOSE LONELY TEARS FROM FALLING
BRING THAT SMILE BACK ON YOUR PRETTY LITTLE FACE
TAKE ONE STEP CLOSER, HOLD MY HAND
WALK ON OVER TO THE PROMISED LAND
I'M GOING OVER THE HILL
I GOT GOOD TIMES COMING MY WAY
Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado's song "Over the Hill" presents a person who wants to leave their current place and start anew. The lyrics suggest that the person has come to a turning point in their life, where they have finally mustered the confidence and determination to make a big move. The first two lines set the tone for the entire song, highlighting the shift in the weather and the person's own change. They sing about a transformation in their inner self which is pushing them to leave behind their current residence and explore the world.
The person is tired of the current city or town where they live, and wants to move to a new place, which is refreshingly free from the crowded streets and the monotony of daily life. The imagery of clouds being chased away from the place and the desire to leave their town are metaphors for the person's desire to push themselves out of the familiar and explore something entirely new. They want to move towards the open road, holding their walking cane, and taking one step closer to the promised land of good times.
In conclusion, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado's song "Over the Hill" presents a person's transformation, their desire for change, and their willingness to take control of their life. The song is a tribute to people who decide to travel into the unknown and explore new horizons, leaving their past behind.
Line by Line Meaning
THERE'S A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER
There's a noticeable shift in the atmospheric condition.
THERE'S A CHANGE IN ME
I'm experiencing a transformation within myself.
SOMEBODY DONE CHASED
ALL THEM CLOUDS FAR AWAY FROM HERE
Someone or something has caused the clouds to disperse and reveal sunshine.
AND I FEEL LIKE I'M GONNA LEAVE
GONNA RIDE STRAIGHT OUT OF THIS TOWN
I'M GOING OVER THE HILL
I GOT GOOD TIMES COMING MY WAY
I have a strong urge to depart this town and go on an adventure. I believe better days await me.
THIS OLD TOWN'S GETTING TO CROWDY
THIS HERE CITY'S WEARING ME DOWN
This town is becoming too populated and the city is exhausting me.
I CAN'T WAIT TO GET GET BACK
BACK OUT ON THE OPEN ROAD
I'm eager to once again travel on the open road.
SOMEBODY HAND ME DOWN MY WALKING CANE
SOMEBODY LEND ME A HELPING HAND
I'M GOING OVER THE HILL
I GOT GOOD TIMES COMING MY WAY
I need a walking aid and assistance to begin my journey. I'm optimistic that my future is filled with happiness and positivity.
THERE AIN'T ONE THING IN THIS HERE WORLD THAT I WON'T DO
AIN'T ONE THING THAT I WON'T SAY
TO KEEP THOSE LONELY TEARS FROM FALLING
BRING THAT SMILE BACK ON YOUR PRETTY LITTLE FACE
I'm willing to do and say anything to prevent you from crying and make you happy again.
TAKE ONE STEP CLOSER, HOLD MY HAND
WALK ON OVER TO THE PROMISED LAND
I'M GOING OVER THE HILL
I GOT GOOD TIMES COMING MY WAY
Come closer and take my hand, let's journey together to a better place. I'm certain that better days are ahead.
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
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