Blue Magic (Denmark)

Backstage at Notodden's Blues Festival in Norway
Photo © Blue Magic
Album
Magic Fantasy

Press release written by Christer Fridhammar at the issue on Last Buzz Record Co., November 2004 of
Blue Magic - Magic Fantasy
BUZZ-8040

After a three years' wait - now the magical blues CD from Denmark is here - finally

Five years ago these young guys from Denmark received a prize from the hands of blues harp legend Charlie Musselwhite from USA. Three years ago they played at BB King’s night club in Los Angeles, also recording an album in the same year. Now it is here.

Charlie Musselwhite has done it all, seen it all, heard it all in the world of blues. He lived side by side with Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Little and Big Walter in Chicago and he has himself become one of the revered names. Charlie has not only attained admiration and respect, he has won a large number of prizes too: 15 W C Handy Awards, 6 Grammy nominations and a lot else.

But in October 1999 he got the opportunity to hand out a prize himself. The place was Copenhagen in Denmark, the prize was the yearly ”Blues Alive” and the name of the band was Blue Magic. Charlie is probably not too easy to impress, but he certainly warmed to the subject:

"This band - Blue Magic - is definitely a group to be watched. The players have brought youth to the blues and the result is dynamic!
They play with not only feeling, but attitude, creating a timeless sound equally great to party behind or listen to in the privacy and safety of your own home.
All accomplished professionals, the band's sound is created by each musician playing to "the whole" - no showboating or ego-tripping to be found in this group.
Great vocals, driving rhythm and a fine harp and guitar work blend well with the talent, experience and influence each member brings to the band.
I am proud to be associated with such a fine group of young musicians and plan to follow them and interact with them as opportunity allows ... check them out, you won't be disappointed."

Charlie produced their demo too. And then Blue Magic toured successfully in 2000 and 2001 in the company of American blues & soul singer Earl Thomas: Scandinavia, Italy, Switzerland. And across the Atlantic to San Diego and to BB King's night club in L.A. And then a recording was made named ”Magic Fantasy”. A band pulling like a locomotive, a powerful vocalist with soul vibes and a string of strong songs by blues heroes like Jimmy Reed, Lowell Fulson, Junior Wells, Muddy Waters and Freddie King (actually Don Nix). Raw, blue and magical.

Thorbjørn Risager, the vocalist, received the prize ”Blues Alive” himself in 1997 already from the hands of US super guitarist Robben Ford. And also got the opportunity to play with Robben at two S.R.O. gigs at the Mojo Blues Bar in Copenhagen. Harp player Jarno Varsted has won the ”Blues Alive” prize too. He played the blues in Austin Texas and Nashville in 2001 - but also played the same year at the Eurovision Song Contest with the duo Rollo & King. Versatile guy. Heine Andersen on guitar has opened for Junior Wells and Canned Heat, and the drummer Asmus Jensen providing the merciless groove together with Søren Bøjgaard on bass has lived in Austin Texas playing with the A Team at the legendary Antones.

Circumstances made ”Magic Fantasy” being shelved unissued since 2001, and Thorbjørn Risager has a new band, Blue 7. But the recordings have matured as fine wines do and the successes in Sweden of Danish bands like Lightnin’ Moe have meanwhile opened the ears of many Swedish blues enthusiasts. Lightnin’ Moe's CD “Undercover Lover” on Last Buzz is a case in point. So here comes Blue Magic's “Magic Fantasy” on the same label. Finally. Pure magic..
Länk: Thorbjørn Risager Homepage