The members of Midnight Choir were Al DeLoner (Atle Bystrøm 'Olsen'), Paal Flaata, and Ron 'Bystrøm' Olsen. (Atle and Ron are brothers)
The band played a kind of Americana music and was named after the opening of Leonard Cohen's song "Bird on a Wire": "Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir."
Honors
1998: Spellemannprisen in the category best Rock band, for the album Amsterdam Stranded
Discography (albums)
1994: Midnight Choir
1996: Olsen's Lost
1998: Amsterdam Stranded
2000: Unsung Heroine
2002: Selected (compilation)
2003: Waiting for the Bricks to Fall
2005: All Tomorrows Tears: The Best of Midnight Choir (compilation)
Amsterdam is a 1998 novel by British writer Ian McEwan, for which he was awarded the 1998 Booker Prize.
Summary
Amsterdam is the story of a euthanasia pact between two friends, a composer and a newspaper editor, whose relationship spins into disaster.
Plot
The book begins with the funeral of artist Molly Lane. Guests at the funeral include British Foreign Secretary Julian Garmony, newspaper editor Vernon Halliday, and composer Clive Linley. The three share certain attributes: each has a very high opinion of himself, each was at some time Molly's lover, and each regards the dead woman's husband, George, with a mixture of amusement and contempt.
Clive and Vernon muse upon Molly's death. It seems she had some kind of rapid-onset brain disease (not specified) that left her helpless and mad. Neither man can understand her attraction to Julian Garmony, the right-wing Foreign Secretary who is about to challenge his party's leadership.
Clive returns home to continue work on a symphony he has been commissioned to write for the forthcoming millennium. Much of the work is complete, save the crucial signature melody. He resolves to go walking in the Lake District, as this tends to inspire him.
"Amsterdam" is a song by Jacques Brel. It combines a powerful melancholic crescendo with a rich poetic account of the exploits of sailors on shore leave in Amsterdam.
Brel worked on the song at his house overlooking the Mediterranean at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, the house he shared with Sylvie Rivet, a publicist for Philips; a place she had introduced him to in 1960. "It was the ideal place for him to create, and to indulge his passion for boats and planes. One morning at six o'clock he read the words of Amsterdam to Fernand, a restaurateur who was about to set off fishing for scorpion fish and conger eels for the bouillabaisse. Overcome, Fernand broke out in sobs and cut open some sea urchins to help control his emotion."
A somber European trio who plays a decidedly American form of rootsy rock (a kind of Americana music), Midnight Choir has steadily built not only a fervent fan base, but a unique take on Americana as well. The trio of Paal Flaata (vocals/guitar), Ron Olsen (acoustic and electric bass), and Al DeLoner (guitar and various other instruments) began in Norway with the less-serious name of the Hashbrowns - busking and occasionally playing club gigs until they were heard by veteran keyboard player Lasse Hafreager. Perhaps uncertain with the prospects of hinging a possible music career on the name Hashbrowns, the group decided to seek out a new name. Reverent historians of folk and rock - and not afraid to wear their influences on their collective sleeve - Midnight Choir took their new name from L...
published: 02 Sep 2017
Amsterdam Stranded (Take 6)
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Take 6) · Midnight Choir
Dear Friend
℗ 1999 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: 2001-01-22
Producer: Chris Eckman
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 13 Jan 2019
Amsterdam Stranded (Take 3)
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Take 3) · Midnight Choir
Dear Friend
℗ 1999 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: 2001-01-22
Producer: Chris Eckman
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 13 Jan 2019
Amsterdam Stranded (Live)
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Live) · Midnight Choir
Selected Songs (W/6 Bonus Live Tracks)
℗ 2002 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: 2002-07-04
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Midnight Choir @ Rockefeller, Oslo | «Amsterdam Stranded»
Midnight Choir at Rockefeller in Oslo, Norway 07.09.2018.
Video by Marianne Lauritzen
Follow BLEZT:
Web: http://blezt.no
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published: 08 Sep 2018
Midnight Choir - Amsterdam Stranded Magisk versjon Drammen teater 10 November 2017
Magisk versjon av Amsterdam Stranded Drammen teater med midnight Choir Paal Flaata
published: 21 Sep 2018
Midnight Choir live | Rockpalast | 2003
Midnight Choir live | Rockpalast | 2003 | Setlist
1. October 8 00:00
2. Mercy Of Maria 04:18
3. Interview 09:10
4. Amsterdam Stranded 09:43
5. Interview 15:46
6. Calling Land 16:32
7. Motherless Child 19:40
8. Interview 23:11
9. Dear Friend 24:50
10. Mrs. Donald 29:42
11. Jeff Bridges 34:57
Besetzung
Paal Flaata - vocals, guitar
Al Deloner - guitar, piano, harmonica, melodica, vocals
Michael Harves - bass
Lee Harris - drums
Mehr zum Crossroads Festival 2003:
https://www1.wdr.de/fernsehen/rockpalast/events/crossroads-nulldrei-september-uebersicht-100.html
A somber European trio who plays a decidedly American form of rootsy rock (a kind of Americana music), Midnight Choir has steadily built not only a fervent fan ...
A somber European trio who plays a decidedly American form of rootsy rock (a kind of Americana music), Midnight Choir has steadily built not only a fervent fan base, but a unique take on Americana as well. The trio of Paal Flaata (vocals/guitar), Ron Olsen (acoustic and electric bass), and Al DeLoner (guitar and various other instruments) began in Norway with the less-serious name of the Hashbrowns - busking and occasionally playing club gigs until they were heard by veteran keyboard player Lasse Hafreager. Perhaps uncertain with the prospects of hinging a possible music career on the name Hashbrowns, the group decided to seek out a new name. Reverent historians of folk and rock - and not afraid to wear their influences on their collective sleeve - Midnight Choir took their new name from Leonard Cohen's song «Bird on a Wire»: «Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir». The depth of their knowledge and reverence to rock history were confirmed when they traveled to Texas to record their debut under the guidance of guitarist Andrew Hardin. Best-known as the musical partner of singer/songwriter Tom Russell, Hardin is as highly respected as he is obscure.
«The ambition of Midnight Choir grew apace with their third album, the flat-out astonishing Amsterdam Stranded. The close relationship and identification with the Walkabouts continued - not only did Chris Eckman again produce and Mark Nichols once more contribute string arrangements, but Terri Moeller took over drumming from Atle Aamodt, showing the same skills here as on the Walkabouts' own releases. Engineering help from Walkabouts/Talk Talk veteran Phill Brown didn't hurt either, while recording took place in favored Eckman haunt Lisbon. For all the intertwining with Eckman's band, though, Midnight Choir retained its own distinct flavor, with DeLoner once again handling all songs except for a co-write with bassist Olsen on «Bayview (Time Ain't No Friend)» and Flaata turning in more strong, just twangy enough singing. Far from simply redoing Olsen's Lot, though, the band stretched themselves with longer, more involved Americana-inspired compositions like «Muddy River of Loneliness» matched with equally gripping performances, and the end result is a stunner, the difference between a great album and a truly amazing one. In comparison to the overtly produced richness of Olsen's Lot, Amsterdam Stranded - without question thanks to Brown's influence - has more of a live and stripped-down feeling at many points, which still translates into full, evocative efforts. Even though the song styles are widely different, songs like «Harbor Hope»and «Mercy of Maria»and, say, any track off Talk Talk's Laughing Stock share a certain immediate power that really suggests a performance rather than a recording. DeLoner's piano rather than guitar takes the lead throughout the album, specifically giving it a much different character than its predecessor, more darkly beautiful Scott Walker than doom-ridden Chris Isaak. Flaata's singing has the same personal, close sound as Mark Hollis' as well, making performances on «October 8» and the utterly haunting «Death's Threshold Step # 2/The Train» all the more gripping and powerful». (AllMusic Review by Ned Raggett)
Midnight Choir – Amsterdam Stranded [1998] (Full Album)
Tracklist: 1. Harbor Hope - 8:00/2. October 8 - 4:22/3. Mercy Of Maria - 5:36/4. Amsterdam Stranded - 4:08/5. And The Rain Redoubled In Violence - 1:09/6. Muddy River Of Loneliness - 6:59/7. Death's Threshold Step #2 / The Train - 4:15/8. Dear Friend - 5:14 9. Bayview (Time Ain't No Friend) - 5:09/10. Finest Hour (Piano: Ron Olsen, Vocals: Terri Moeller) - 3:39/Bass: Ron Olsen/Drums, Percussion: Terri Moeller/Engineer: Phill Brown/Photography: Marcel Lelienhof/Piano, Organ, Harmonica, Guitar, Instruments [Etc.]: Al DeLoner/Producer: Chris Eckman/ Vocals: Paal Flaata Originally issued:Label: S2 Records – S2CD 003/CD/Norway/Released: 1998/Label: Glitterhouse Records – GRCD 468/CD, Album/Germany/Released: 06 Mar 2000
DISCLAIMER: I do not make any profit from this video. No copyright infringement intended. All rights belong to the respective artists and the record companies. It is uploaded for educational and promotional purposes only. I do not own, nor claim to own anything contained in this video.
A somber European trio who plays a decidedly American form of rootsy rock (a kind of Americana music), Midnight Choir has steadily built not only a fervent fan base, but a unique take on Americana as well. The trio of Paal Flaata (vocals/guitar), Ron Olsen (acoustic and electric bass), and Al DeLoner (guitar and various other instruments) began in Norway with the less-serious name of the Hashbrowns - busking and occasionally playing club gigs until they were heard by veteran keyboard player Lasse Hafreager. Perhaps uncertain with the prospects of hinging a possible music career on the name Hashbrowns, the group decided to seek out a new name. Reverent historians of folk and rock - and not afraid to wear their influences on their collective sleeve - Midnight Choir took their new name from Leonard Cohen's song «Bird on a Wire»: «Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir». The depth of their knowledge and reverence to rock history were confirmed when they traveled to Texas to record their debut under the guidance of guitarist Andrew Hardin. Best-known as the musical partner of singer/songwriter Tom Russell, Hardin is as highly respected as he is obscure.
«The ambition of Midnight Choir grew apace with their third album, the flat-out astonishing Amsterdam Stranded. The close relationship and identification with the Walkabouts continued - not only did Chris Eckman again produce and Mark Nichols once more contribute string arrangements, but Terri Moeller took over drumming from Atle Aamodt, showing the same skills here as on the Walkabouts' own releases. Engineering help from Walkabouts/Talk Talk veteran Phill Brown didn't hurt either, while recording took place in favored Eckman haunt Lisbon. For all the intertwining with Eckman's band, though, Midnight Choir retained its own distinct flavor, with DeLoner once again handling all songs except for a co-write with bassist Olsen on «Bayview (Time Ain't No Friend)» and Flaata turning in more strong, just twangy enough singing. Far from simply redoing Olsen's Lot, though, the band stretched themselves with longer, more involved Americana-inspired compositions like «Muddy River of Loneliness» matched with equally gripping performances, and the end result is a stunner, the difference between a great album and a truly amazing one. In comparison to the overtly produced richness of Olsen's Lot, Amsterdam Stranded - without question thanks to Brown's influence - has more of a live and stripped-down feeling at many points, which still translates into full, evocative efforts. Even though the song styles are widely different, songs like «Harbor Hope»and «Mercy of Maria»and, say, any track off Talk Talk's Laughing Stock share a certain immediate power that really suggests a performance rather than a recording. DeLoner's piano rather than guitar takes the lead throughout the album, specifically giving it a much different character than its predecessor, more darkly beautiful Scott Walker than doom-ridden Chris Isaak. Flaata's singing has the same personal, close sound as Mark Hollis' as well, making performances on «October 8» and the utterly haunting «Death's Threshold Step # 2/The Train» all the more gripping and powerful». (AllMusic Review by Ned Raggett)
Midnight Choir – Amsterdam Stranded [1998] (Full Album)
Tracklist: 1. Harbor Hope - 8:00/2. October 8 - 4:22/3. Mercy Of Maria - 5:36/4. Amsterdam Stranded - 4:08/5. And The Rain Redoubled In Violence - 1:09/6. Muddy River Of Loneliness - 6:59/7. Death's Threshold Step #2 / The Train - 4:15/8. Dear Friend - 5:14 9. Bayview (Time Ain't No Friend) - 5:09/10. Finest Hour (Piano: Ron Olsen, Vocals: Terri Moeller) - 3:39/Bass: Ron Olsen/Drums, Percussion: Terri Moeller/Engineer: Phill Brown/Photography: Marcel Lelienhof/Piano, Organ, Harmonica, Guitar, Instruments [Etc.]: Al DeLoner/Producer: Chris Eckman/ Vocals: Paal Flaata Originally issued:Label: S2 Records – S2CD 003/CD/Norway/Released: 1998/Label: Glitterhouse Records – GRCD 468/CD, Album/Germany/Released: 06 Mar 2000
DISCLAIMER: I do not make any profit from this video. No copyright infringement intended. All rights belong to the respective artists and the record companies. It is uploaded for educational and promotional purposes only. I do not own, nor claim to own anything contained in this video.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Take 6) · Midnight Choir
Dear Friend
℗ 1999 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: ...
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Take 6) · Midnight Choir
Dear Friend
℗ 1999 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: 2001-01-22
Producer: Chris Eckman
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Take 6) · Midnight Choir
Dear Friend
℗ 1999 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: 2001-01-22
Producer: Chris Eckman
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Take 3) · Midnight Choir
Dear Friend
℗ 1999 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: ...
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Take 3) · Midnight Choir
Dear Friend
℗ 1999 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: 2001-01-22
Producer: Chris Eckman
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Take 3) · Midnight Choir
Dear Friend
℗ 1999 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: 2001-01-22
Producer: Chris Eckman
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Live) · Midnight Choir
Selected Songs (W/6 Bonus Live Tracks)
℗ 2002 Playground Music Scan...
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Live) · Midnight Choir
Selected Songs (W/6 Bonus Live Tracks)
℗ 2002 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: 2002-07-04
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Live) · Midnight Choir
Selected Songs (W/6 Bonus Live Tracks)
℗ 2002 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: 2002-07-04
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Midnight Choir at Rockefeller in Oslo, Norway 07.09.2018.
Video by Marianne Lauritzen
Follow BLEZT:
Web: http://blezt.no
Facebook: @blezt.no
Instagram: @blez...
Midnight Choir at Rockefeller in Oslo, Norway 07.09.2018.
Video by Marianne Lauritzen
Follow BLEZT:
Web: http://blezt.no
Facebook: @blezt.no
Instagram: @blezt.no
Midnight Choir at Rockefeller in Oslo, Norway 07.09.2018.
Video by Marianne Lauritzen
Follow BLEZT:
Web: http://blezt.no
Facebook: @blezt.no
Instagram: @blezt.no
A somber European trio who plays a decidedly American form of rootsy rock (a kind of Americana music), Midnight Choir has steadily built not only a fervent fan base, but a unique take on Americana as well. The trio of Paal Flaata (vocals/guitar), Ron Olsen (acoustic and electric bass), and Al DeLoner (guitar and various other instruments) began in Norway with the less-serious name of the Hashbrowns - busking and occasionally playing club gigs until they were heard by veteran keyboard player Lasse Hafreager. Perhaps uncertain with the prospects of hinging a possible music career on the name Hashbrowns, the group decided to seek out a new name. Reverent historians of folk and rock - and not afraid to wear their influences on their collective sleeve - Midnight Choir took their new name from Leonard Cohen's song «Bird on a Wire»: «Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir». The depth of their knowledge and reverence to rock history were confirmed when they traveled to Texas to record their debut under the guidance of guitarist Andrew Hardin. Best-known as the musical partner of singer/songwriter Tom Russell, Hardin is as highly respected as he is obscure.
«The ambition of Midnight Choir grew apace with their third album, the flat-out astonishing Amsterdam Stranded. The close relationship and identification with the Walkabouts continued - not only did Chris Eckman again produce and Mark Nichols once more contribute string arrangements, but Terri Moeller took over drumming from Atle Aamodt, showing the same skills here as on the Walkabouts' own releases. Engineering help from Walkabouts/Talk Talk veteran Phill Brown didn't hurt either, while recording took place in favored Eckman haunt Lisbon. For all the intertwining with Eckman's band, though, Midnight Choir retained its own distinct flavor, with DeLoner once again handling all songs except for a co-write with bassist Olsen on «Bayview (Time Ain't No Friend)» and Flaata turning in more strong, just twangy enough singing. Far from simply redoing Olsen's Lot, though, the band stretched themselves with longer, more involved Americana-inspired compositions like «Muddy River of Loneliness» matched with equally gripping performances, and the end result is a stunner, the difference between a great album and a truly amazing one. In comparison to the overtly produced richness of Olsen's Lot, Amsterdam Stranded - without question thanks to Brown's influence - has more of a live and stripped-down feeling at many points, which still translates into full, evocative efforts. Even though the song styles are widely different, songs like «Harbor Hope»and «Mercy of Maria»and, say, any track off Talk Talk's Laughing Stock share a certain immediate power that really suggests a performance rather than a recording. DeLoner's piano rather than guitar takes the lead throughout the album, specifically giving it a much different character than its predecessor, more darkly beautiful Scott Walker than doom-ridden Chris Isaak. Flaata's singing has the same personal, close sound as Mark Hollis' as well, making performances on «October 8» and the utterly haunting «Death's Threshold Step # 2/The Train» all the more gripping and powerful». (AllMusic Review by Ned Raggett)
Midnight Choir – Amsterdam Stranded [1998] (Full Album)
Tracklist: 1. Harbor Hope - 8:00/2. October 8 - 4:22/3. Mercy Of Maria - 5:36/4. Amsterdam Stranded - 4:08/5. And The Rain Redoubled In Violence - 1:09/6. Muddy River Of Loneliness - 6:59/7. Death's Threshold Step #2 / The Train - 4:15/8. Dear Friend - 5:14 9. Bayview (Time Ain't No Friend) - 5:09/10. Finest Hour (Piano: Ron Olsen, Vocals: Terri Moeller) - 3:39/Bass: Ron Olsen/Drums, Percussion: Terri Moeller/Engineer: Phill Brown/Photography: Marcel Lelienhof/Piano, Organ, Harmonica, Guitar, Instruments [Etc.]: Al DeLoner/Producer: Chris Eckman/ Vocals: Paal Flaata Originally issued:Label: S2 Records – S2CD 003/CD/Norway/Released: 1998/Label: Glitterhouse Records – GRCD 468/CD, Album/Germany/Released: 06 Mar 2000
DISCLAIMER: I do not make any profit from this video. No copyright infringement intended. All rights belong to the respective artists and the record companies. It is uploaded for educational and promotional purposes only. I do not own, nor claim to own anything contained in this video.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Take 6) · Midnight Choir
Dear Friend
℗ 1999 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: 2001-01-22
Producer: Chris Eckman
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Take 3) · Midnight Choir
Dear Friend
℗ 1999 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: 2001-01-22
Producer: Chris Eckman
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Amsterdam Stranded (Live) · Midnight Choir
Selected Songs (W/6 Bonus Live Tracks)
℗ 2002 Playground Music Scandinavia AB
Released on: 2002-07-04
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Midnight Choir at Rockefeller in Oslo, Norway 07.09.2018.
Video by Marianne Lauritzen
Follow BLEZT:
Web: http://blezt.no
Facebook: @blezt.no
Instagram: @blezt.no
The members of Midnight Choir were Al DeLoner (Atle Bystrøm 'Olsen'), Paal Flaata, and Ron 'Bystrøm' Olsen. (Atle and Ron are brothers)
The band played a kind of Americana music and was named after the opening of Leonard Cohen's song "Bird on a Wire": "Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir."
Honors
1998: Spellemannprisen in the category best Rock band, for the album Amsterdam Stranded
Discography (albums)
1994: Midnight Choir
1996: Olsen's Lost
1998: Amsterdam Stranded
2000: Unsung Heroine
2002: Selected (compilation)
2003: Waiting for the Bricks to Fall
2005: All Tomorrows Tears: The Best of Midnight Choir (compilation)
Down by the muddy harbor For many a restless night Have I been walking Down by the muddy harbor For many a restless night Have I found myself talking And much to my surprise I found that 've been wrong for so long now I found that I've been wrong I found that I've been wrong for so long now I've been to New York City I've seen the world at large and it's hurting It took a lot of pain to get me where I am That's for certain I've felt the arms of God And I've felt the Devil's kisses In the Nighttime I thought I'd seen it all Just to watch it fall like curtains Just to watch it come down to this I'm Amsterdam stranded And it's taken for granted that I'm singing But one of these days I will be leaving I've got leaving on my mind Gonna leave it all behind That's for certain I'm tired of waisting time Chasing this high Oh, sweet burden...