Real Ones (Norway) – Nusrat (lead track from the album So says all of us) + video

I genuinely do not know what to make of this one, and I rarely say that.

I was aware of Bergen’s Real Ones, they’ve been with us a couple of times before,but I was oblivious to the fact that they’ve been going for 31 years and started when they were 14 as five childhood friends, that they’ve released four EPs and 14 albums with this one (‘So says all of us’ – 26^th September), acquired two Spellemann (Norwegian Grammy) Awards and played over 1000 concerts in 15 countries on three continents.

Starting out as a traditional folk music band their style has evolved into something unique as a mix of folk, pop, rock, and world music. But that isn’t all. There is outright originality in what they do, as showcased by this lead album track, ‘Nusrat’, which is named after the late Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a singer the band has always loved, and who inspired the melody to the song.

I have seen a performance by a Pakistani artist, in my case Abida Parveen, regarded as the world’s greatest spiritual singer, back in 2019, and I’ll tell you it is something to behold, especially when the audience starts head banging while she gyrates on a magic flying carpet and someone squats next to her, pumping a hurdy gurdy. (I’ll leave that to your imagination).

And that might go some way to explaining the frivolous gusto with which they attack ‘Nusrat’. You can’t really ‘do’ Pakistan-themed music any other way.

It’s a little in the habit of Men at Work and their ‘Down Under’ in its silliness and the lyrics do no more than procrastinate on the future after you’ve quit your job, drunk yourself stupid, and gone on holiday to Marseille.

And then what?

University, find another job, get a wife, and die.

And then what?

Is there much more to it I wonder? Is this just a jolly little ditty honouring their favourite singer or is it a 2020’s Norwegian take on existentialism and absurdity? Discuss.

The full album is about hope, friendship, and the good things in the world, says the band, adding, “We can sure need a reminder these days.”

I’ll drink to that.

Real Ones are: David Chelsom Vogt – violin, vocals, keyboards, Ivar Chelsom Vogt – guitar, vocals, dulcimer, Jørgen Sandvik – guitar, vocals, charango, Øystein Skjælaaen – bass, backing vocals, Kåre Opheim – drums, percussion, backing vocals.

Find them on:

Website: https://www.realones.no/