The first LPs I bought were Trans and Re-ac-tor, both from Narvesen at Løvebakken in Stortingsgata, Oslo, Norway, before I really started diving into the glories of the 70s.
Since then, each new album has been like a surprise package. There wasn’t much that could beat the feeling of opening a new LP, later CD, and hearing the music for the first time.
The release I remember with the greatest pleasure is perhaps Old Ways — partly because it was a nice period in my youth, partly because the record was so typical Neil “I do what I want” Young. Despite some less fortunate tracks, it also contains some fantastic country songs.
Now you just buy the records to have them on the shelf. Parts or the whole album have long been made available and already reviewed before it arrives in the store. And the music is listened to on Tidal or NYA.
Ranking concerts is difficult, as the man ALWAYS delivers. But the first one is always special. For me it was Brussels, Belgium, 28 May 1987. during the 1987 European Crazy Horse Tour. Often described as the tour from hell, but of course an absolutely incredible concert by a still relatively young Crazy Horse. Otherwise, the Roskilde Festival, 5 July 2008 is perhaps the most complete experience with perfect sound and atmosphere from the Orange stage in the dark.
I secured a limited edition Pono very early. A fantastic music player, but unfortunately a web catalog that ended up in the ditch pretty quickly. Now Pono is also in a drawer. If it had streaming function and Bluetooth, it would have been brought out again, but the consideration for availability and simplicity means that a mobile phone with a decent DAC and good headphones does the job.
Bjorn Arne Smestad at home.
Bjorn Arne Smestad at the Roskilde Festival, 5 July 2008.