photo by Lina Winge; photo courtesy of Erik Harstad Band

Single Reviews of Erik Harstad Band: “She’s My Baby” and “Dark Season Moods”

Top Norwegian bluesman Erik Harstad has, with his band, recently released a pair of singles, “She’s My Baby” and “Dark Season Moods.” In the Erik Harstad Band, guitarist Harstad is joined by Rune Endal (bass), Anders Lillebo (Hammond organ, piano and harmonica), and Vetle Larsen (drums).

cover photo by Lina Winge; image courtesy of Erik Harstad Band

The first single, “She’s My Baby,” starts off cool and smooth with light instrumentation behind the vocals. Two verses concluding with the primary lyric, “She’s my baby; that’s the way it is,” cycle through before slightly more substantial instrumentation begins to filter in. First, though, let’s talk about that lyric. Once you get to know the song’s cadence and rhythm, it’s one you’ll want to sing along with. In any case, about a third of the way through the song, there’s a solo where the guitar chatters, talks, and wails a little before it’s joined by the organ in a little back and forth dance, providing a nice musical transition to the next verse. The rest of the way, the pace remains modest, but the instruments join the vocals in creating a moving groove that, accompanied by vocals that gain a hint more edge as the song goes on, carries this track to its satisfying conclusion.

cover photo by Lina Winge; image courtesy of Erik Harstad Band

“Dark Season Moods” starts out completely differently, with sadness, kicking off with 30+ seconds of guitar that paints a picture of soft, easy blues on a rainy day. The music on this song is so powerful, rising and falling, swaying with sad emotion and melancholy, with the baton being passed back and forth between the guitar and the organ taking the lead, that it’s hard to focus on the lyrics, though they move in unison with the instrumentation. “Dark Season Moods” is an ideal song to spin for wallowing in sorrow or even just a good soundtrack to accompany a day of ennui.

Stylistically, the Erik Harstad Band’s sound seems well-suited to either an intimate bar setting or that of a bigger music theater stage. Certainly, the caliber of musicians would support shows suitable for either of those venue types. But if you can’t get out to a performance, be sure to check out these singles. Personally, I tend to favor the more energetic number “She’s My Baby,” but if I wanted to sit by the window and feel sad on a rainy day, I can’t imagine a better soundtrack than “Dark Season Moods.”