Knut Reiersrud & Iver Kleive // Nåde Over Nåde // CD

This CD, a visionary and exalted recording, is the outcome of the third musical visit the duo Knut Reiersrud and Iver Kleive paid to St. Knud Cathedral in the Danish city of Odense. Their first visit gave us Blå Koral (Blue Choral) in 1991. Then came Himmelskip (Nave) in 1996, and now, another ten years down the road, they come with the third part of their trilogy: Nåde over nåde (Mercy Mercy). 

When Blå Koral was released it came as something of a revelation, featuring a church organ in duets with a blues guitar was certainly different. The fact that this odd combination could be so powerful and so varied surprised many, as did the fantastic resonant sound from recording in the church. This was explored further on Himmelskip, and the duo has continued to play many concerts over the last 15 years. Both Blå Koral and Himmelskip sold very well, 34.000 and 21.000 copies respectively! 

On Nåde over nåde folk music continues to be the point of departure, but this time Reiersrud and Kleive have decided to maximize the dynamics of the three-dimensional soundscape. In part the boldness of contrasts has been amplified, and in part the expert recording by Alf Christian Hvidsteen has enhanced the sound in the vast space inside the Odense Cathedral. 

The powerful and rich dynamics combined with the fragile beauty of the folk tones are moulded into a lyrical and meditative whole by Reiersrud and Kleive. Eight guitars are used on the record, and the rich sounds of the Marcussen organ are used to the full. Erik Hillestad has produced the record.

Track list:

1. Da høsten kom (When autumn came)                                                               

     by Knut Reiersrud 

2. Nåde over nåde (Mercy Mercy)

     Melody by Sigurd Lunde 

3. Sorgen og gleden de vandrer til hope (Sorrow and Joy, Wandering Twins)

     Melody by LM Lindeman 

4. What a Wonderful World 

     Melody: George Douglas 

5. Når mitt øye trett av møye (My Tired Eye)

     Folk tune from Heddal, after Inger Laurine Flood 

6. Hestleitaren (The horse seeker)

    Folk tune, after Sjugurd Garmo, Gudbrandsdalen 

7. For Guds folk er hvilen tilbake (For God's Folk Peace Is Back)/Grandma’s hands 

    Folk tune from Setesdal/Bill Withers 

8. Den store, hvite flokk å se (The Great White Flock)

     Folk tune from Heddal 

9. Jesus din søte forening å smake (Jesus Your Sweet Union)

     Folk tunes from Ryfylke and Gudbrandsdalen 

10.Lamslåtten (Dumbstruck)

     by Knut Reiersrud 

11.Så ta da mine hender (O Take My Hand)

     Melody by Friedrich Silcher 

12.Jeg vet meg en søvn i Jesu navn (I Know of a Sleep)

      Folk tune from Selje