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Midnight Choir - Midnight Choir (1994)
Midnight Choir – Midnight Choir (1994): Album Review, Tracklist, Credits & Trivia
Introduction to Midnight Choir
Midnight Choir is the debut studio album by Norwegian alternative rock and Americana band Midnight Choir, released in 1994 on the Fjording label. This first album introduced the band’s blend of Americana, roots rock, and melancholic alternative sounds to the Scandinavian music scene, recorded and mixed at Loma Ranch Studio in Fredericksburg, Texas during June–July 1994.
The record showcased a unique mix of original compositions and thoughtful covers, driven by expressive vocals, atmospheric instrumentation, and heartfelt songwriting. It laid the foundation for Midnight Choir’s later success and critical acclaim throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
Background and Recording
After forming in 1992 in Norway, Midnight Choir traveled to Texas to record their first album, capturing influences from American roots music, country rock, and indie rock. The sessions were produced by Andrew Hardin, whose experience with Americana artists helped shape the album’s warm, organic feel.
The band built a reputation in their homeland through this release, which also helped them break into the Norwegian charts, staying on the VG‑lista for five weeks and peaking at No. 19 in 1995.
Musical Style and Themes
Midnight Choir blends elements of:
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Alternative rock
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Americana
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Roots and country rock
The songs feature acoustic guitars, horn arrangements, expressive vocals, and traditional songwriting structures that evoke road‑weary landscapes, emotional introspection, and melodic storytelling. Themes range from love and longing to self‑reflection and the human condition.
Midnight Choir (1994) Tracklist
The debut album consists of 10 tracks:
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Talk to Me
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Don’t Turn Out the Light
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Gypsy Rider
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What Am I Worth to You?
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Turning of the Tide
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Hearts Gone Wild
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Mercy on the Street
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Rock Bottom
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Lonesome Drifter
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Lift Me Up
Several of these songs were also released as singles, including Talk to Me, Gypsy Rider, Mercy on the Street and What Am I Worth to You? which helped elevate the band’s profile.
Album Credits
Band Members
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Paal Flaata – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
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Atle Byström – acoustic and electric guitar, twelve‑string guitar
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Ron Olsen – bass guitar, double bass
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Tore Wildhauer – drums, percussion
Additional Musicians
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Andrew Hardin – electric and acoustic guitar, backing vocals, castanets, strings
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Richard Dee Purkeypile – Hammond organ
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Allison Young, Denice Franke, Leigh Harris, Mickey Merkens – backing vocals
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Paul Pearcy – congas, percussion
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John Mills – tenor saxophone
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Kent Winking – trombone
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Keith Winking – trumpet
Production
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Produced by Andrew Hardin
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Executive producers: Lars Ulseth, Tom Skjeklesæther
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Engineering and mixing by John Hill
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Mastered by Jerry Tubb
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Horn arrangements by John Mills
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Cover photography by Raymond Mosken; design by Bulldog
Reception and Legacy
The self‑titled debut helped Midnight Choir gain early recognition in Norway and secure a place on the national charts. Its blend of Americana and alternative rock stood out at a time when such cross‑genre blends were less common in Scandinavian music.
The album’s success created momentum for the band’s subsequent releases — such as Olsen’s Lot (1996) and Amsterdam Stranded (1998) — and established their reputation for emotive songwriting and atmospheric arrangements.
Fun Facts About Midnight Choir
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The album was recorded in Texas, drawing on the band’s love for American roots music.
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It features a cover of Gene Clark’s “Gypsy Rider”, linking Midnight Choir’s sound with classic American country rock.
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Some tracks from the album became fan favorites and staples of early Midnight Choir live sets.
Trivia
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Midnight Choir was the band’s only album before producer Chris Eckman (of The Walkabouts) joined their recording process on later records.
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The album blended original compositions with carefully chosen covers, showcasing the band’s songwriting as well as their influences.
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Even though it charted in Norway, the album initially remained relatively underground outside Scandinavia, gaining wider attention only after later releases.
Did You Know?
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The band’s name was inspired by a line in Leonard Cohen’s “Bird on a Wire” — “like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir,” capturing their emotive and reflective musical tone.
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Midnight Choir’s debut laid the groundwork for their distinctive blend of American‑influenced roots rock and atmospheric alternative music.
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