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Part one: Bjørn Berge
With his ‘hardcore/heavy metal’ appearance, this Norwegian with a wrestler’s physique plays an unexpectedly and joyously wacky, funky blues. And on top of that, he has a great sense of humour. Bjorn Berge takes total control of the stage as soon as he swaggers upon it and then proceeds to set fire to it with his slide guitar, his mega-powerful voice and his amplified plank of wood which he vigorously stamps on, thus providing a unique rhythm section. His music is clearly rooted in the Delta blues but you can’t keep Mr. Berge in a cage. No, no, no. His cover versions of “Give it away” (Red Hot Chilli Peppers), “Ace of Spades” (Motorhead) or “Keep it Greasy” (Zappa) need to be heard to be believed. The audience who have had the good fortune of seeing this man in Patrimonio in the past are probably still wondering how one man and a guitar is able to make such a thundering impact. Such colossal stage presence in one individual seems rather unfair. It seems that on his third visit to Patrimonio, the set list will apparently be even more varied than in the past. If you’ve not come across this phenomenon before, now’s your chance. If you have, it’s excusable to be greedy when it’s this tempting and get yourself another earful.
Official website
Part two: Tracy Chapman
 Does this lady really need any introduction? OK, just for the form, Tracy Chapman was born in Cleveland in 1964 and this queen of folk has sold around 18 million albums in a career spanning 20 years. In 1988 she released a first eponymously titled album which was carried to success through the hits “Talkin’ Bout A Revolution" and “Baby Can I Hold You”. However, it was on 11th June that same year, during a concert in South Africa in support of Nelson Mandela, that the whole World took notice. Bare-foot on stage, she set about singing with emotion and sincerity on the themes of poverty, of racism and on gender inequality, armed with only her voice and her guitar. The very next day she sold 75,000 albums in one day in the UK alone. Altogether, that record was to shift five million copies around the world and got her voted the top female singer by the US public. Since this explosive career launch, Tracy’s popularity remains intact, as demonstrated by the success of her latest album “Our Bright Future”, the quality of which shows that this folk-rock singer still has plenty of inspiration left in her. Her entrancing ballads, carried by her distinctive, deep, warm vibrato will certainly leave their mark on this year’s Guitar Nights.
Official website
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