Lars Fredrik Frøislie, the keyboardist of the prog band Wobbler, is out with his second solo album, Gamle Mester; which in Norwegian means “Old Master”. The album was released on May 9th, by Karisma Records.
Lars Fredrik Frøislie’s main instruments are keyboards and drums. Lars plays, Mellotron M400, Chamberlin M-1, Mini Moog Model D, Hammond C3, Rhodes MkII, Hohner Clavinet D6, Arp synthesizers, Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, Roland VP-330, Solina String Ensemble, Korg VC-10, Spinet, Upright piano, Marxophone, and Tremoloa.
Lars is also a music producer and shares ownership to Termo Records with fellow bandmate in White Willow and Opium Cartel, Jacob Holm-Lupo. Lars is also a member of a wide assortment of Norwegian prog and folk bands.
On his second solo album, Gamle Mester, 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”.
Guest stars on this sophomore solo album for Lars Fredrik Frøislie are: Nikolai Hængsle, on bass guitars (Rickenbacker 4003, Fender Precision Bass, Fender Jazz Bass, Fender Telecaster Bass; and Ketil Einarsen, on flute and recorder.
Gamle Mester, “The Old Master”, begins like the Moody Blues classic Days of Future Passed, with dawn; and the beginning of the day. “Demring”, in Norwegian, is the best song on the album. It is an amazing album opener, that reminds me a little of Wobbler’s, Dwellers Of the Deep, song, “By the Banks”. It opens at full speed, with a whirling sound and feel that will grab you like a Kansas twister. So much keyboard delight, for those like me who love ancient prog keyboards, that you will begin writing this down as one of your potential picks for album of the year; upon first hearing. It is a runaway hit from the starting gun. Everything you could possibly want from ancient prog keyboards and synths, combined with flute. Simply amazing. A perfect example of why Lars Fredrik Frøislie is one of the best modern keyboardists in progressive rock. The pace does slow later, and the soundscape takes on an almost Court of the Crimson King aura to it. Over 5 minutes of keyboard and synths, at maximus.
“Jakten På Det Kalydonske Villsvin (The Hunt for the Calydonian Boar)”, starts off slower with Lars Fredrik Frøislie singing in his native Norwegian, along with keys, drums and flute. A very good song, but it cannot top the last one. An over 10 minute soundscape of haunting keyboards and seminal progressive rock sounds. More time is spent developing the soundscape with heavy drumming, flute, synths, keyboards, and bass. That wonderful whirling sound of his keyboards is a trademark of his music.
“Gamle Mester (Old Master)”, is the title track, and it is another enchanting keyboard journey for Lars. The song opens with drums, and a rhythm which is faster paced an almost jazzy. Lars’s drumming is sensational throughout this album, but especially highlighted here on the title track. An over 7-minute rocker full of keyboards and synths as well. So many memories of early Genesis and a little of Yes roll through your mind as you listen. Good to hear these sounds again. Like welcoming back an old friend after years of separation. The bass playing is also exceptional on this track. Lars even tries some spacey sounds on this track.
“Medusas Flåte (The Raft of the Medusa)”, not a particularly good place to be, if you are a man. Just don’t look into her eyes. Another monster, master class, in how to play seminal keyboards from the best progressive rock era, the 1960’s and 70s. Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, and Tony Banks memories abound. The track opens with big bold drumming and darker, heavier keyboards, befitting the title of the song’s impressions and story. Despite the darker opening, the song bounces along with cool bass, drums and some amazing syths and Hammond organ. An over 9-minute journey sung with Norwegian lyrics by Lars. The track also has those famous early prog heavenly chorus sounds throughout as well, which brought back so many memories of Gabriel Era Genesis. The song has a cool, bluesy moment on it which cascades into some reflective, slow moving keyboards that were an absolute delight.
“De Tre Gratier (The Three Graces)”, is an over 12-minute opus that challenges “Demring”, for the top spot on the album. It opens with warm, tingling harpsichord, like a renaissance dessert offered to all. “The Three Graces”, named after the daughters of Zeus, the story is laid out lyrically by Lars in Norwegian. So many wonderful twists and turns in this story and the story being told by the music. Synths, keyboards, flute, bass and drums, opened at full blast and offered as a powerful reminder of the caliber of keyboard play unfolding. An absolutely mesmerizing culmination of all of this wonderful music shared. The pace slows again, near the middle, for another wonderful harpsichord solo. There is even a little Jethro Tull like flute play near the song’s end. Making the Tull faithful immediate fans.
“Skumring (Dusk)”, opens slow with soft piano creating a wonderful mood. Then, more pronounced piano takes over the soundscape. Another of the best songs on the album. On this album, it seems that the shorter songs may be better songs, which goes against traditional and epic progressive rock narratives. This track is a rich, 3:13, wonder, to close this magnificent album. Now the wait for the next Wobbler album begins.
Track List:
01. Demring (Dawn) – 5:02
02. Jakten På Det Kalydonske Villsvin (The Hunt for the Calydonian Boar) – 10:10
03. Gamle Mester (Old Master) – 7:17
04. Medusas Flåte (The Raft of the Medusa) – 9:08
05. De Tre Gratier (The Three Graces) – 12:27
06. Skumring (Dusk) – 3:13
Lars Fredrik Frøislie’s Gamle Mester, is proof that he remains near the top of the modern keyboardist of progressive rock. He has some real competition coming up from behind him though. As Steve Winwood was told in “40,000 Headman’, “Just look behind”. This year’s music has found a treasure trove of great keyboardists and songs played with keyboards and synths. But, for now, with efforts like this, Lars is safe. This is still one of the best progressive rock albums of the year. It may be in a tie right now with Atomic Time’s epic Subsounds, and the keyboards of Gabriel D’Incao. I only wish Lars had used some pipe organ. With his experience level I am certain he knows how to play. Really though, nothing is missing here if you love keyboards and syths as much as I do. Folky and wonderful music set to stories from the archives of world literature. A warm glance back for everyone who appreciated the Gabriel Era of Genesis. I can only imagine what might happen if Lars got together with Steve Hackett and they made an album. I’d buy that without hearing a note. Until, if or when, that ever happens, please give Lars Fredrik Frøislie’s Gamle Mester, a listen, and the Old Master” will do the rest.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
Bandcamp: https://lffstudios.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/larsfredrikfroislie
Facebook: https://facebook.com/larsfredrikfroislie
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fredfroi
Label: https://karismarecords.no
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/user/fredfroi
A short video where he talks a bit about the album:
https://youtube.com/shorts/mGJAqBorytg?si=ksSIHOafSjP1KySE