TOM HANSEN – A Taste Of California (2016) Out Of Print
”A TASTE OF CALIFORNIA” is a music project based in Tønsberg, Norway, created by songwriter Tom Hansen. Hansen is a Music Teacher who in his free time compose songs inspired by the timeless American West Coast AOR style from the early ’80s. “A Taste Of California”, the album, it’s a ‘dream come true’ for Hansen where some of his idols agreed to arrange & record his songs.
The album’s title says it all: “A Taste Of California” is all about classic US West Coast AOR with that classy FM sound blended with smooth melodies and some soul at heart. It’s not a surprise that this genre – born in America – is currently is cultivated almost exclusively by Scandinavian musicians. Take as example State Cows, Ole Borud or Peter Friestedt.
And indeed super-talented Peter Friestedt collaborates in “A Taste Of California”, alongside American West Coast legends like Larry Williams (David Foster, Al Jarreau) or John “JR” Robinson (all) and the cream of Norway’s session musicians.
“A Taste Of California” smell and taste classy from the very first note. Opener ‘My Lady’ perfectly sets the tone for what’s to come; fluid vocals by Kenneth Eriksen (co-producer as well), super groovy drums courtesy of master John ‘JR’ Robinson, and, as the icing on the cake, a stratospheric guitar solo by Peter Friestedt.
Wow… this is good. Really Good.
From here we have 18 delicious tracks (some short cool instrumentals) with all the magic of that era, as the velvet ballad ‘Stay With Me’ with the splendid voice of Rheanne Lindeberg, the dynamic ‘A Dream Come True’, the delightful ‘Vis A Vis’ and ‘Falling Leaves’, or the emotional ‘Standing Tall’.
‘Special Friend’ is perhaps my favorite, a classy song in true sense of ‘ 80s West Coast AOR, with the smooth vocals of Victor Brooks and that delicate instrumental atmospheres that made this genre so popular back in time.
And what you can expect from a song titled ‘Mr. WestCoast’? Well, a pure LA Session sound, a Tom Hansen tribute to the genre he loves so much.
Tom Hansen should be really proud by the results of “A Taste Of California”: the sounds of classic US West Coast music transported to Norway 2016. He’s assisted by top class musicians, and production is dedicated, extremely clean. This is the physical CD, including an extra track.
Fans of the genre, this is a must.
01. My Lady
Drums – John “JR” Robinson
Grand Piano, Electric Piano – Magne Arnesen
Guitar – Peter Friestedt
Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Producer – Kenneth Eriksen
02. Song For Hansson
Bass, Acoustic Guitar – Halstein Larsen
Drum Programming – Pål Johnsen
Electric Piano – Haavard Flaaten
Tenor Saxophone, Keyboards – Larry Williams
03. Brazilian Night
Arranged By Tom Hansen
Bass – Espen Hauge
Electric Guitar, Keyboards – Halstein Larsen
Keyboards – Nils Mathiesen
Piano, Drum Programming, – Magne Arnesen
Vocals – Line Knudsen, Victor Brooks
04. Stay With Me
Bass, Electric Guitar – Halstein Larsen
Drums – Anders Viken
Vocals – Rheanne Lindeberg
05. A Dream Come True
Bass – Espen Hauge
Drums – Anders Viken
Guitar – Halstein Larsen, Pål Johnsen
Piano – Magne Arnesen
Tenor Saxophone, Keyboards – Larry Williams
06. Vis A Vis
Guitar – Halstein Larsen
Programmed By, Keyboards – Oliver Tangen
Tenor Saxophone – Kjell Håkon Andersen
07. Falling Leaves
Keyboards, Guitar, Backing Vocals – Kenneth Eriksen
Saxophone – Olav Tornes
Vocals – Hugo Lande
08. Standing Tall (A Tribute To Whitney Houston)
Bass – Espen Hauge
Drums – Anders Viken
Electric Guitar – Pål Johnsen
Vocals – Trine Charlotte Askjem
09. T-Party
Guitar, Bass – Halstein Larsen
Keyboards – Magne Arnesen
10. Special Friend
Bass – Espen Hauge
Drums – Jon Rosslund
Electric Guitar – Pål Johnsen
Keyboards – Magne Arnesen
Vocals – Victor Brooks
11. Mr. Westcoast
Bass, Electric Guitar – Halstein Larsen
Piano, Keyboards – Magne Arnesen
Tenor Saxophone – Kjell Håkon Andersen
12. Enter 2000
Backing Vocals – Betania Gospelsingers
Bass – Espen Hauge
Drums, Percussion – Per Hillestad
Electric Guitar – Halstein Larsen
Grand Piano, Strings – Nils Mathisen
Horns – Dag Einar Eilertsen, Terje Johannesen
Vocals – Astrid Tveitan, Line Knudsen, Svein Finstad
13. Wessel Song
Keyboards, Bass, Guitar, Percussion – Kenneth Eriksen
Tenor Saxophone – Kjell Håkon Andersen
14. Magic Moments
Keyboards, Programmed By – Halstein Larsen
15. Stay With Me
Guitar – Halstein Larsen
Piano, Keyboards, Programmed By – Magne Arnesen
16. Fate
Grand Piano, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Violin, Viola – Nils Mathisen
Tenor Saxophone – Øystein Trollsås
17. Time To Say Goodbye
Bass, Acoustic Guitar – Halstein Larsen
Piano, Keyboards, Drum Programming – Truls Gran
Vocals – Jan Ronander
18. My Lady (Disco Remix / Radio Edit)
Guitar – Peter Friestedt
Vocals – Kenneth Eriksen
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