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!
Too Many Roads
Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
WELL I KEEP ON ROLLING
BUT MY TIME AIN'T LONG
TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
THERE'S A RAINBOW ANGEL
AND SHE'S CALLING ME
SHE SAID SOON ENOUGH
TIME WILL TELL
SOON ENOUGH YOUR TEARS GONNA DRY
AND THAT CLOUDED SKY
AIN'T GONNA BE WORRYING ME
BUT I GOT TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
TOO MANY ROADS
TOO MANY ROADS
I GOT TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
AND THAT FAT OLD SUN
BEEN GONE TOO LONG
AND I GOT TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
The lyrics of "Too Many Roads" by Thorbjørn Risager tell the story of a man who keeps moving forward but is aware that his time is running out. He has too many roads to ride, too many things to do, and too many places to go. The "rainbow angel" is probably a metaphor for the things that he wants in life but cannot have because he is too busy. The angel is calling for him, but he cannot respond because he has too many things to do.
The second verse suggests that the man is aware that he needs to slow down and take stock of his life. The angel tells him that time will heal his wounds, and he will be able to rise above the clouded sky. However, the man is preoccupied with the roads that he has to ride, and he cannot take the time to listen to the angel's advice.
The chorus repeats the phrase "too many roads" to emphasize that the man has spread his energies too thin. He is chasing after too many things, and he is missing out on the simple pleasures of life. The last line suggests that the sun has been missing for too long, which could be a metaphor for the man's inability to find fulfillment in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
WELL I KEEP ON ROLLING
I keep moving forward in life
BUT MY TIME AIN'T LONG
But I know my time is limited
TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
There are many paths I could take in life
THERE'S A RAINBOW ANGEL
There's a figure in my life that represents hope and happiness
AND SHE'S CALLING ME
And that figure is trying to guide me towards a better path
BUT I GOT TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
But I have many options to choose from and I am unsure which one to follow
SHE SAID SOON ENOUGH
That figure I mentioned earlier told me that eventually
TIME WILL TELL
The true outcome will reveal itself
SOON ENOUGH YOUR TEARS GONNA DRY
Eventually, my sorrow and troubles will pass
AND THAT CLOUDED SKY
The stormy and difficult times
AIN'T GONNA BE WORRYING ME
Won't have a negative effect on me
BUT I GOT TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
However, my indecisiveness is still present because I have multiple paths to choose from
TOO MANY ROADS
There are too many options for me to choose from
TOO MANY ROADS
I am overwhelmed by the many paths I could take
I GOT TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
I am stuck in my indecisiveness because of my many choices
AND THAT FAT OLD SUN
The time for me to take action has been long overdue
BEEN GONE TOO LONG
I have let too much time pass by without making a choice
AND I GOT TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
Thus, I remain stuck in my indecisiveness with too many paths to choose from
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: EMIL OLIVER BALSGAARD, HANS NYBO, KASPER MICHAEL WAGNER, MARTIN SEIDELIN, PETER J SKJERNING, PETER WEIENDORP KEHL, SOREN BOJGAARD, THORBJORN RISAGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RisagerBlackTornado
TOO MANY ROADS
WELL I KEEP ON ROLLING
BUT MY TIME AIN'T LONG
TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
THERE'S A RAINBOW ANGEL
AND SHE'S CALLING ME
BUT I GOT TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
SHE SAID SOON ENOUGH
TIME WILL TELL
SOON ENOUGH YOUR TEARS GONNA DRY
AND THAT CLOUDED SKY
AIN'T GONNA BE WORRYING ME
BUT I GOT TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
TOO MANY ROADS
TOO MANY ROADS
I GOT TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
AND THAT FAT OLD SUN
BEEN GONE TOO LONG
AND I GOT TOO MANY ROADS TO RIDE
@kristintyler3410
DANG!!!!! Hopefully I'll be able to catch y'all when you come to US next summer!!!! ✌️❤️🤘
@JacobNascar
It's a beautiful Mississippi sunday morning and you are listening to The Blues Brunch segment on 98.1 The Max Memphis and you hear this band for the first time. Windows come down on their own. Not a worry in the world. Great music. You've earned a new fan here
@Tommy.461
It's amazing that so few people hear these great musicians.
@stephenchota6396
Dude has got it down with this music. These guys are good. Come on over to the US and let's get this party started.
@olesrensen9441
Love this sound and hes voice - Finally got the album. Love it!...👌🎵🎸🎷
@AidanDK
Really gritty vocals, fuzzed slide guitar, powerful rythmn section, tasty horns! What's not to like?!I've just ordered this CD/DVD on the strength of what I've seen on YouTube. Hope to catch them LIVE soon!
@maciekmakowski2168
one of my favorite song!
@kazorikumo9765
Awesome video,
and I hope to hear this song in Dortmund.
Love your music.
@Michael_05573
Wonderfully!
@olesrensen9441
Wow!