When the WOBBLER keyboard virtuoso LARS FREDRIK FRØISLIE released his first solo album “Fire Fortellinger” in 2023, fans of both WOBBLER and classic 70s prog took the album to their hearts, and it became a great success. Now, his follow-up album “Gamle Mester” is set to be released on May 9th.
On his second solo album “Gamle Mester” (Old Master), Lars Fredrik Frøislie pays homage to the greats of the past. Drawing inspiration not only from the pioneers of progressive rock but also from art, literature, and mythology, the album reflects on timeless acts of creativity that still resonate today. The title is derived from the ancient oak tree “Den Gamle Mester,” found at Krødsherad Prestegård, which also inspired a poem of the same name by Jørgen Moe. This symbolic tree serves as a unifying theme throughout the album, representing wisdom, endurance, and the passage of time.
The title track “Gamle Mester” is chosen to be the first single from the album, released on the 14th of March. It can be heard on several streaming services and download services:
https://orcd.co/gamlemester
Lars Fredrik has this to say about the track:
The title of the track is partly derived from the ancient oak tree “Den Gamle Mester”, found at Krødsherad Prestegård, and partly from the somewhat vague art history term “Gamle Mester” (Old Master), which is often used about pre-eminent European artists like Rembrandt, Rubens, Da Vinci, Botticelli, etc. I guess you could call this the pop song on the album. Quite catchy, rather short and perhaps even simple, but with a mixture of the strictly composed and the loosely improvised. I think I captured some spontaneous magic in the organ solo, which I’m happy with.
Here’s a short video where he explains further:
https://youtube.com/shorts/mGJAqBorytg?si=ksSIHOafSjP1KySE
Like on the previous album, Frøislie takes on vocals and drums, as well as a formidable array of instruments including a few tons of old analogue keyboards such as Hammond C3, Mellotron M400, Minimoog Model D, Chamberlin M-1, Yamaha CP70B, William de Blaise Cembalo Traverso, Hohner Clavinet D6, Rhodes MkII and Arp Pro Soloist. Joining him is Nikolai Hængsle (ELEPHANT9, NEEDLEPOINT, BIGBANG, BAND OF GOLD etc.) on Rickenbacker 4003 Bass, and Ketil Einarson (EX-Jaga JAZZIST, WESERBERGLAND, WHITE WILLOW) on flute and recorder.
With “Gamle Mester,” Lars Fredrik Frøislie delivers an album steeped in history, mythology, and musical brilliance. A must-have for progressive rock enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Track listing for “Gamle Mester” is as follows:
1. Demring (Dawn)
2. Jakten På Det Kalydonske Villsvin (The Hunt for the Calydonian Boar)
3. Gamle Mester (Old Master)
4. Medusas Flåte (The Raft of the Medusa)
5. De Tre Gratier (The Three Graces)
6. Skumring (Dusk)
With artwork by Frøislie himself, “Gamle Mester” will be released on CD, Limited Edition Gatefold LP on Green / Transparent Marble Vinyl and digital formats, and is now available to pre-order from the following links:
Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/shop/
Bandcamp: https://larsfredrikfroislie.bandcamp.com/
US shop: https://karismarecords.indiemerch.com/pre-orders
More information about LARS FREDRIK FRØISLIE can be found at https://www.facebook.com/larsfredrikfroislie
