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 nice success. Now, his follow-up album Gamle Mester is set to be released on May 9, 2025 on Karisma Records.
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. 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."
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.