Hanne Boel - Unplugged 2017 (2017)

The Danish singer Hanne Boel first made her breakthrough in the late 1980s, and has since released no fewer than 20 recordings, in addition to winning a slew of prizes and awards. Now, in 2017, she has just stepped down from her positions at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, where she served as Professor and Prorector since 2009. Hanne is once again making waves, as the singer known for her distinctive combination of soul and jazz elaborates:
“I’ve just fallen in love, or perhaps rekindled my love. I’m rejuvenated in doing what I really love, namely singing together with great musicians for an audience that wants a good experience and maybe a little bit to think about.”

In this new live release, Hanne Boel shines in a rare musical setup with her regular acoustic trio - guitarists Jens Runge and Jacob Funch - supplemented here by Anders Bach on keyboard, Jacob Andersen on percussion, and the string quartet LiveStrings.

The material was recorded during concerts at Musikkens Hus in Ålborg and Koncertsalen in Copenhagen, on the 11th and 12th of February 2017, respectively. It has long been a dream of Hanne’s to give her audience this listening opportunity, which features completely new versions of material from her extensive back catalogue, including reinventions of “Don’t Know Much About Love,” “Black Wolf,” “Light in Your Heart,” and “Starting All Over Again.” From the light and airy acoustic trio setup, the music unfolds to a larger, more saturated concert experience, the well-known repertoire reborn in delectable acoustic versions that are given time and space to evolve patiently. Less “pop radio” than in past releases, this is music for the discerning and affectionate ear.

It’s exciting to hear what Hanne Boel has in store for listeners the next time she goes into the recording studio (said to be Spring 2018). In the meantime, we can enjoy this exceptionally beautiful live recording as we wait in eager anticipation.