HENNING KVITNES OG KORET PÅ BOTSEN (Henning Kvitnes and the Botsen Prison Choir)

"Bortkomne julestjerner" (Lost Christmas Stars)

Inmates from Oslo prison sing Christmas carols with Henning Kvitnes and a country rock band of elite musicians from the US, Sweden and Norway.

The CD "Bortkomne julestjerner" with the Botsen (the name stems from the Norwegian term for penitence) Prison Choir and Henning Kvitnes has ten well-loved Norwegian Christmas carols and two American songs of freedom. The idea behind the project is to give a different expression of the Christmas message without the usual tinsel, and to show the relevance of the story of the child in the manger for people from all walks of life. We also want to show that Norwegian prisons have strong resources, people with the same longings, dreams, hopes and faith as any of us. 

”Koret på Botsen” is conducted by Charlotte Fongen, and Henning Kvitnes is the soloist on almost all the 12 songs, including Silent Night, Beautiful Saviour, "Det hev ei rosa sprunge" (A Spotless Rose is Growing), "Det lyser i stille grender" (Rise Up Shepherd) and Mary’s Boy Child. 

The band consists of Larry Campbell: electric guitar, pedal steel, rhythm guitar, mandolin, violin and banjo, "Bebe" Risenfors: harmonium, piano, accordion, saxophone, clarinet and washboard, Brady Blade: drums and percussion and Jørun Bøgeberg: bass. 

Release date 22 November

Track list:

1. Stille natt (Silent Night)

2. Harde tider (Hard Times)

3. Deilig er den himmel blå (Beautiful the Azure Sky)

4. Mary's Boy Child 

5. Her kommer dine arme små (Thy Little Ones, Dear Lord, Are We) 

6. Peace call 

7. Mitt hjerte alltid vanker (My Heart is Always with Jesus) 

8. Veien som går inn til Betlehem (Road to Bethlehem)

9. Jeg er så glad hver julekveld (I am so glad each Christmas Eve) 

10. Det lyser i stille grender (Rise Up Shepherd)

11. Det hev ei rose sprunge (A Spotless Rose is Growing)

12. Deilig er jorden (Beautiful Saviour)