Norwegian of Nigerian descent singer/songwriter Olav Larsen was raised on blues staples from his father’s collection like John Lee Hooker and Howlin’ Wolf before discovering the country-rock vibes of Springsteen, Neil Young, The Byrds, and Bob Dylan all of which shine through in his music. Larsen may not be a familiar name especially the U.S. Americana scene but the musician has been writing his own country songs for several years to quiet acclaim in Europe. Olav Larsen and the Alabama Rodeo Stars’ latest release is Stream of Consciousness – a collection of nine melancholic, poignant country duets that are heavily influenced by Larsen’s penchant for American 60’s and 70’s country. You can hear touches of Tom Waits, Gram Parsons, John Prine and Neil Young and others throughout the album. For each duet, Larson enlisted eight incredible female vocalists from the Norwegian Americana scene: Emilie Eie, Benedicte Brænden, Ingfrid Straumstøyl, Mona Krogh, Camilla Rosenlund, Stina Kjelstad, Marte Aarseth, and Tine Steen. While Larsen’s own gravelly, contemplative, earnest vocals underscore each song, it’s the female’s vocals that make each song sparkle. Album highlights include: the quiet laidback opening track “Hang Your Head Low”; the stunning “Give Up on Me”; the gorgeous heartbreaker “Nobody Know”; the darkly forbidding number “The Bottom”; and the bittersweet ode to a fragile relationship “Friendship.” Olav Larsen and the Alabama Rodeo Stars’ Stream of Consciousness is a superb album that is heartbreaking, raw, and honest. I look forward to seeing where Larsen takes things on his next outing. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | The Byrds , Bob Dylan, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, John Prine,