Category: TOM HANSEN

”Matters Of The Heart” is the new album from Norwegian songwriter TOM HANSEN who has been involved into many AOR projects in the last decade. In fact, Hansen is Music Teacher who in his free time compose songs inspired by the genre he love; American West Coast AOR from the early ’80s.
Hansen is joined by multi-instrumentalist & arranger Kenneth Eriksen, al so inspired by the classic sound of David Foster, Michael McDonald, Chicago, David Pack, and others in the same style.
One they got around forty songs ready, Tom contacted American musicians. They say “send me the song” and got quick answers from the likes of Nathan East, Larry Williams, John JR Robinson, Jeff Pescetto and more, all legends from the genre.
Also renowned Scandinavian musicians play on ”Matters Of The Heart”, such as talented Peter Friestedt dropping some exquisite solos, Stefan Gunnarsson, William Sikström, etc.
With song titles such as ‘The Westcoast Planet’, ‘Summer Wind’, ‘Stay Tonight’, ‘Sunrise’ you know what to expect: classic West Coast AOR / FM soft-rock with quality performances and pristine production..

”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…