Search - Silje Nergaard :: Nightwatch

Snappy jazz from Norway

Maria | Hong Kong | 05/23/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Among Norwegian jazz singer Silje Nergaard's numerous claims to fame are that Morten Harket from A-HA (remember them?) is an ardent supporter of her music and that Canto-pop idol Cass Phang covered her Norwegian song, Brevet. Dubious musical connections aside, Nergaard actually has an effervescent, brandy snap of a voice and on Nightwatch, her eighth album, she lends her distinctive vocals to pop and folk-infused compositions like the whimsical fluff of You Send Me Flowers and the extremely catchy Take A Long, Long Walk. Apart from an almost unrecognisably languid arrangement of David Bowie and Pat Metheny's This Is Not America, Nergaard composed all the music herself, but while the music fits her beguiling, wide-eyed intonation perfectly, collaborator Tim McGurk's English lyrics are less successful. Although there are occasional glimpses of brilliance, in general the barren phrases and overwrought verses show nowhere near the same level of precision or flair as the music. This deficiency, combined with the quiet intensity and tidy lyrics of the Nergaard-penned closer (sans McGurk), On And On, may induce you to seek out Nergaard's more experimental (and self-produced) Norwegian language releases. Nergaard may be regarded as being at the forefront of the contemporary European jazz scene but on Nightwatch, she seems just as comfortable lounging around with more conventional pieces like In A Sentence.It's the innovative blend of exuberant jazz plus a liberal pinch of this and that which really sets the mood of Nightwatch."

Outstanding CDs appear so rarely in the Philippines

JLF | Manila, Philippines | 08/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Currently, the style adopted by Philippine CD stores to attract buyers is to compare the singer to Norah Jones and Michael Buble. So, it was really a GREAT travesty to see this kind of marketing being applied go Silje Nergaard's CD, NIGHTWATCH. I have been one of the fortunate buyers in the Philippines to take a chance to buy one of her CDs, PORT OF CALL (during the time when Norah Jones is not yet around, commercially that is). And was I indeed satisfied.



With this CD, Silje proves that not only does she have the sensitivity, she also has the INTELLECT to create her OWN music. the arrangements are so simple but effective. Not obstrusive. Almost all tracks are outstanding (like How Am I Supposed to see the stars, Be Gone, You send me flowers).



For jazz affecionados who are not familiar with silje, PLEASE take a chance on this one. you wont regret it."

Beautiful voice.

Kristin Eriksen | Trondheim, Norway | 03/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Silje's smooth and childish voice is just captivating. I've listened to it a lot since I bought it, and I like it more and more. Being a Norwegian, I'm obviously proud of our jazz-diva. My favorite songs are "I Don't Wanna See You Cry", "You Send Me Flowers", Unbreakable Heart" and "Dance Me Love". I highly recommend this CD. I saw her in concert last year, and I can describe the experience with one word: AWESOME! Keep up the great work, Silje!!!!"