Prudence -

Prudence was a Norwegian folk-rock/psych band that emerged with the 1972 album Tomorrow May Be Vanished, followed by Drunk and Happy, No. 3, and Takk te dokk on Polydor.

Members: Åge Aleksandersen (guitar, vocals), Per Erik Wallum (vocals, flute, harmonica), Terje Tysland (accordion, guitar, piano, vocals), Johan Tangen (mandolin, guitar), Kjell Ove Riseth (bass), Kaare Skevik Jr. (drums), Jan Devik (bass, guitar, vocals)

Background

Prudence developed from Whoopee Choop, a Namsos group formed in 1968 by guitarist–singer Åge Aleksandersen with drummer Kaare Skevik Jr., bassist Kjell Ove Riseth, and singer–flutist Per Erik Wallum. They adopted the Prudence name for their 1970 debut single, “Into the Fire” (b/w “Kom bli med til København”), released on Experience Records.

In 1971, they welcomed accordionist–guitarist Terje Tysland and mandolinist Johan Tangen. Prudence cut two further Experience singles — “Small Things in Life” (b/w “Hairy Fairies”) and “My New Day” (b/w “The Sky Gets Blue”) — and secured a deal with Polydor.

Tomorrow May Be Vanished

Prudence released their debut album, Tomorrow May Be Vanished, in 1972 through Polydor Records.

The full sleeve title reads Tomorrow May Be Vanished Victoria “Så Bærre Pass Dæ!” — the last part translates as “So You Better Watch Out!” Guitarists and singers Aleksandersen and Tysland work with singer–flutist Wallum, mandolinist–conguero Tangen, bassist Riseth, and drummer Skevik. Aleksandersen composed seven selections; Wallum contributed the remaining three, including the title song.

“Mild Grey Fog” darkens as guitar figures intensify with a dry, sardonic edge. “What Man Has Made of Man” skips through jaunty accordion phrases and comic turns. “14 Pages” drifts through pensive acoustic passages. “Going Through This Life” shuffles through fuzzy guitar figures and an earthy drive. “Lost in the Forest” tightens around an unexpected strain of tension.

A1. “North in the Country” (4:15) – Wallum
A2. “Mild Grey Fog” (3:26) – Aleksandersen
A3. “Tomorrow May Be Vanished” (4:26) – Wallum
A4. “What Man Has Made of Man” (2:03) – Aleksandersen, William Wordsworth
A5. “14 Pages” (4:22) – Aleksandersen

B1. “Going Through This Life” (4:00) – Aleksandersen
B2. “Oh, Grandpa” (3:39) – Wallum
B3. “Lost in the Forest” (2:16) – Aleksandersen
B4. “Kerre Volin” (4:38) – Aleksandersen
B5. “Daida” (4:11) – Aleksandersen

Prudence recorded the album in August 1972 at Rosenborg Studios in Oslo with producer Johnny Sareussen and engineer Inge Holst Jacobsen. Sareussen previously played bass in The Vanguards and moved between Prudence and the contemporary albums Loaded by Aunt Mary and Fordums Frukter, Friske Frø by Tobben & Ero. Jacobsen followed the Prudence sessions with the October 1972 recording of Loaded at Rosenborg.

The front sleeve presents the six musicians across the porch of a wooden house, with Tysland holding an accordion and Tangen seated with a mandolin. The reverse replaces the group portrait with a monochrome lake scene and a rowboat illustration.

Polydor lifted “What Man Has Made of Man” (b/w “North in the Country”). The album spent fifteen weeks on the Norwegian chart and reached No. 14.

Drunk and Happy

Prudence released their second album, Drunk and Happy, in 1973 through Polydor Records.

The album retains Aleksandersen, Wallum, Tysland, Tangen, Riseth, and Skevik. Wallum contributes “Elsie Olivia” and “Poor Annabelle,” while Tysland supplies the title song and “Bandwagon.” Aleksandersen accounts for the remaining six selections.

“Drunk and Happy” barrels through a rowdy, merry chorus. “Stones” grinds through heavy riffs.

A1. “Elsie Olivia” (4:22) – Wallum
A2. “Sitting Bull” (3:51) – Aleksandersen
A3. “Stones” (4:58) – Aleksandersen
A4. “Poor Annabelle” (2:35) – Wallum
A5. “Drunk and Happy” (3:12) – Tysland

B1. “Sawmill” (3:18) – Aleksandersen
B2. “Undeveloped Country Rag” (2:13) – Aleksandersen
B3. “Bandwagon” (3:53) – Tysland
B4. “Days Before” (3:24) – Aleksandersen
B5. “I Hope We Never Get Too Serious About the Music So This Is Just a Joke” (5:50) – Aleksandersen

Prudence recorded Drunk and Happy in May 1973 at Rosenborg Studios with returning producer Johnny Sareussen and engineer Inge Holst Jacobsen. The repeated studio team linked the album directly with the recording arrangement established for the debut.

Photographer Annie van Baalen built the front sleeve around a close view of Jan Bulling’s made-up eye. Blue-and-white title lettering crosses the upper edge, while the rear sleeve places Bulling’s distorted eye above a monochrome group photograph.

Polydor lifted “Drunk and Happy” as a 1973 single (b/w “Sitting Bull”). The album reached No. 5 on the Norwegian chart.

No. 3

Prudence released their third album, No. 3, in 1974 through Polydor Records.

The album marks the final studio appearance by the original six-piece lineup. Aleksandersen contributes five compositions and shares “Gandalf” with Tysland. Wallum supplies “Sailor Song” and “Sleepy City.”

“Freezing” mourns through a sorrowful lead as mandolin quickens across closing bars.

A1. “Delbert” (6:25) – Aleksandersen, Burns
A2. “Sailor Song” (4:03) – Wallum
A3. “Gandalf” (1:37) – Aleksandersen, Tysland
A4. “Freezing” (6:52) – Aleksandersen

B1. “Rock & Rouge” (3:46) – Aleksandersen
B2. “Sleepy City” (5:18) – Wallum
B3. “Bugcrusher” (4:58) – Aleksandersen, Burns
B4. “Bells Ringing” (5:36) – Aleksandersen

Prudence recorded No. 3 from July 3 through July 10, 1974, at Arctic Studios in Trondheim. The group produced the sessions, while Johnny Sareussen co-produced and mixed the album. Arctic engineer Rune Nordal handled recording; his contemporary work at the same studio included the 1974 self-titled album by Difference.

O. J. Todnem designed the color cover around weathered wooden boards, pinned concert photographs, and a metal-framed Prudence logo. Black-and-white photographs by Todnem, Terje Bringedal, and Kjell A. Olsen also appeared across the package and foldout poster.

Polydor issued “Bells Ringing” as a 1974 single (b/w “Bilbo and Frodo”).

1975 Lineup Change

Kjell Ove Riseth left the performing lineup after a table-saw accident cost him several fingers. Manager and former Beatniks bassist Tore Syvertsen covered the vacant role briefly. Frode Viken then played bass for approximately three weeks before Jan Devik joined for the final album and farewell tour.

Takk te dokk

Prudence released their fourth and final studio album, Takk te dokk, in 1975 through Polydor Records.

Prudence switched from English to Trøndelag-dialect lyrics for the nine-song album. Bassist–guitarist Jan Devik joins Aleksandersen, Wallum, Tysland, Tangen, and Skevik. Vibraphonist Terje Adde appears on “Instrumental.” Aleksandersen contributes five selections; Wallum supplies four songs.

“Æ e trønder æ” taunts through a sarcastic chorus. “Takk te dokk” lingers over a mournful guitar solo.

A1. “Kom igjæn kara” [Come On, Boys] (4:44) – Aleksandersen
A2. “Sommern på landet” [Summer in the Country] (4:21) – Wallum
A3. “Instrumental” [Instrumental] (5:22) – Aleksandersen
A4. “Sokkevise” [Sock Song] (0:31) – Wallum
A5. “Drømmen om grisen” [The Dream About the Pig] (3:46) – Aleksandersen

B1. “På botne e vi ganske lik” [Deep Down, We’re Quite Alike] (3:22) – Wallum
B2. “Æ e trønder æ” [I’m a Trønder, I Am] (4:43) – Aleksandersen
B3. “Ingen trur” [No One Believes] (4:20) – Wallum
B4. “Takk te dokk” [Thanks to You All] (5:51) – Aleksandersen

Prudence recorded the album in August 1975 and handled production themselves with engineer Rune Nordal. Nordal came from the prior Prudence and Difference sessions at Arctic Studios and also engineered Aleksandersen’s concurrent solo album 7800 Namsos.

Returning photographer O. J. Todnem supplied the cover image, which places a spray of pink roses against a dark blue field beneath a white script logo. The restrained flower photograph replaces the documentary group imagery used on No. 3.

Polydor issued “Takk te dokk” as the band’s final single (b/w “Æ e trønder æ”). “Æ e trønder æ” entered the Norsktoppen survey and became one of the central songs associated with the group.

Takk te dokk won the 1975 Spellemannprisen in the pop category. Prudence reconvened for the televised presentation and performed “Æ e trønder æ” for the ceremony.

Prudence embarked on their final tour, concluding on December 11, 1975, with a recorded show at the Trondheim Studentersamfundet.

11/12-75

In 1976, Arctic Records released the Prudence double live album 11/12-75.

The album preserves the farewell performance by Aleksandersen, Wallum, Tysland, Tangen, Devik, and Skevik. Across four sides, the program draws from all four studio albums and adds “Can’t Fail Blues,” The Band song “The Shape I’m In,” and “Det e langt igjæn te Royal Albert Hall” from the 1975 Aleksandersen solo album 7800 Namsos.

A1. “Intro” (1:32)
A2. “Instrumental” (4:40) – Aleksandersen
A3. “Kom igjæn kara” (4:12) – Aleksandersen
A4. “What Man Has Made of Man” (3:18) – Aleksandersen
A5. “Sailor Song” (4:54) – Wallum
A6. “Can’t Fail Blues” (3:49) – Adrian Henri

B1. “Æ e trønder æ” (4:48) – Aleksandersen
B2. “Det e langt igjæn te Royal Albert Hall” (4:46) – Aleksandersen, Elton John
B3. “Drømmen om grisen” (4:10) – Aleksandersen
B4. “På botne e vi ganske lik” (3:21) – Wallum
B5. “Drunk and Happy” (3:25) – Tysland

C1. “The Shape I’m In” (7:02) – Robbie Robertson
C2. “Lost in the Forest” (5:47) – Aleksandersen
C3. “Bilbo & Frodo” (6:59)
C4. “Under Paris’ Himmel” / “Mild Grey Fog” (5:40) – Vincent, Scotto / Aleksandersen

D1. “I Hope We Never Get Too Serious About the Music” (8:14) – Aleksandersen
D2. “I’m Freezing” (9:37) – Aleksandersen
D3. “Takk te dokk” (5:35) – Aleksandersen

Jahn Teigen produced the concert recording during his tenure as singer for Popol Ace, whose contemporary album Stolen from Time supplied part of his own stage repertoire. Aleksandersen and Skevik shared co-production duties, while Rune Nordal engineered the performance.

O. J. Todnem photographed the gatefold package. The front image captures two Prudence members sharing microphones under red stage light, framed by white title lettering and a pale outer field.

Postlude

Åge Aleksandersen began his solo catalog with the 1975 album 7800 Namsos. He formed Sambandet after the Prudence breakup and developed an extensive Norwegian-language catalog that included Mot i brystet, mord i blikket, Bomben und Granaten, Ramp, and Levva livet!.

Terje Tysland started his solo sequence with the 1977/78 albums Stakkars klovn and Mytji arti. Per Erik Wallum later formed Rollaug, which released albums between 1981 and 1983.

Prudence reunited for concerts in 1980 and 1996, then returned again for a 2011 performance in Namsos. Per Erik Wallum died in 1990; Jan Devik died in 2019. An archival concert recording, Live Sveriges Radio 17.11.1973, appeared in 2018.

Discography: