Nicolai Dunger somehow posesses the same sense of class, artistry, and timeless style of some of the great entertainers of our time. Imagining him still in his 70’s, sporting a grey hairdo, singing to the velvet rooms of Las Vegas is not such a far fetched idea, should this somewhat odd Swedish crooner fit into the regular mold of household entertainment. But like a shark that can’t stand still, Nicolai Dunger’s artistery over his 16 album career (yes!) has included albums done with string quartets, in Swedish, with Jazz trios as well as together with pop/rock noteriety such as Will ”Bonnie ’Prince’ Billy” Oldham, Mercury Rev, Calexico, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, as well as a few releases under a strange pseudonym.
His latest album ”Play” however is quite possibly Nicolai’s most focused effort to date. Having taken a bit of a break from the pop cirkus after the release of 2004’s Mercury Rev produced album ”Here’s My Song…” also coinciding with the untimely death of his mother, Nicolai is back on track with a very infectious and down home recording, speaking directly to your senses in the manner that has come to be Nicolai’s trademark over the years. Because on stage, Nicolai Dunger is beside himself. He convinces you, pulls you along, twitches you, sings you to tears and explodes in euforia like any pastoral rock-icon. Nicolai Dunger’s intense carisma, energy and sheer genious has brought him much attention all over the world over countless tours and collaborations. Throughout his career, Having been compared to the likes of Van Morrison, Tim Buckley, Damien Rice, Jeff Buckley and Nick Cave to satisfy some peoples need for pigeon-holing artists, but his audience have come to love Nicolai Dunger because he always held his own and does what he want.
”Play” is a return to the more rootsy, swinging, honest and simple foundation of Nicolai’s music. Co-produced together with multi-instrumentalist and session master Staffan Andersson (Lars Winnerbäck, Gloria, Olle Ljungström) and with guest vocal on the ballad Tears in a Childs Eye from Nina Persson (The Cardigans, A Camp), ”Play” has a very natural feel to it. Record over just a few days in the Arctic circle summer house of Mats Schubert (Bo Kaspers Orkerster) simplicity and groove was on the agenda, and the heartfelt result is brings you in and moves you along.
Play is out October 14 on Flesh Boat Recordings/Bonnier Amigo in Scandinavia
Heart and Soul
External Link to Heart and Soul
Crazy Train
External Link to Crazy Train
