Ole Paus // Den Velsignede // CD

With Cuba, himself and the acrid reality of life as a backdrop, Ole Paus has created a visionary and daring album. This is Paus poetry at its best. Bold musical solutions and a sharp eye. Faith and doubt, openness and humility. In Ole Paus’ distinctive and very personal style.

Ole went south – with some key words and notes in his suitcase, and with a strong need to get away. To do something else, create something different. He went to Cuba, and then to Moscow, to make a CD. And a CD was certainly made. But different to what he had planned.

The text fragments that Ole Paus brought in his suitcase stayed in his suitcase. In a country where life is a lot more risky than back home, and where passion is the basic strategy for survival, a North European’s life is put into a different perspective. In the poor quarters of Havannah new songs were written – among a people that exposes all of life’s extremities.

Ole Paus is direct. He touches on basic questions – he is close, honest and open. And he hits home. With his sharply formulated texts he calls on laughter one moment, thoughtfulness the next. He takes us on a journey through this landscape of insight, warmth and humour. Paus has a wide register, and he generously shares it all with us.

Paus’ musical solutions are both original and distinctive. This time he and producer Erik Hillestad  have gathered 15 Cuban musicians and blended their intense latino groove with Russian orthodox church music. Voskresenije is one of Russia’s best church choirs and adds a beautiful musical relief to the Cuban sound. In the centre of this we find Ole Paus’ voice and well formulated lyrics.

With this CD Ole Paus has put his signature on another strong and genuine recording that is refreshingly full of surprises and challenges.

In addition to the Cuban musicians is also Norwegian Sven Ohrvik (keyboards/arranger).

Track list:

1. Den velsignede I

2. Støvet som glir over jorden

3. Øynene

4. Hvis du tror at jeg har glemt deg

5. Hva skal man gjøre med mennesker som meg

6. Den siste reise

7. Livet og jeg

8. Vi skal mose dem, elskede

9. Gratulerer med dagen

10. Brevet til Evert

11. Den velsignede II