Monday, June 13, 2016

Under Age 3

Some years ago I wrote two posts about getting asked for an ID when I bought wine in the UK  (Under AgeUnder Age 2). I thought it probably wouldn't happen again for another 500 years. But then, when you least expect it, the world has something unforeseen up its sleeve for you!

I was at the shop buying some essentials—plus a can of excellent Swedish pear cider. The lady behind the counter asked "can I see your ID, please?" Let's just halt there for a moment shall we?

So, my beard have started to get some gray patches (I know, me and Clooney). I had bent my head down to pick something up and she repeated the question as I came back up.

Me (sticking my chin forward and pointing with the index-finger):
"See? My beard has gray patches!"
Her: "Yes, but I'd like to see your ID please."
Me: "For the soap or the cider?"
Fredrik: (Starts laughing!)
Her (a little bewildered): "That!" (points to the cider.)

I showed her the ID.

Really, I'm up for a good compliment any day, but in reality's highborn name! Some other day perhaps? -when I have a clean shave and a colourful base-ball cap? Mom thought it was hilarious though, so at least the story came to serve some form of higher purpose! :-)

Friday, January 1, 2016

Natalie Cole




Rewind the clock back with me to the summer of 1991 or 92, and a raging torrent of sound came out of the little radio in my granddad’s dusty workshop in Northern Norway. It would play-and-play-and-play inside my head until I finally got the record. The track was ‘Paper Moon.’

The first full price CD I bought as was ‘Unforgettable,’ I played and sung along to it constantly! Natalie Cole has made her way through R'n B, Pop, Jazz and Classical Crossover and she was instrumental in shaping the direction my early love for Jazz took. I love her work with José Carreras, Plácido Domingo and orchestra; and the the fantastic duets with her late father, through wonders of technology. Over the last decade my strongest memory of her is her swinging away with Diana Krall to a lush big-band. Her distinct voice has throughout her career been employed with the greatest possible versatility!
25 years after its release, ‘Unforgettable’ still stands as one of the most complete and memorable jazz-albums I have ever bought. I sang her music and tried to follow her amazing phrases; the sound of the big-band played relentlessly in my head, with or without my consent—day and night, and sometimes kept me from sleeping; and needless to say, I was 12 and had a crush on her!

I sometimes thought of telling her the story of my granddad’s workshop if I ever got to meet her. Sadly, I have run out of time! The beautiful Natalie Cole has left us at age 65 — early, like her father. I’ve attached a picture of the album-cover so you too can get a crush on her!

I hope I get to tell her that story one day.