Flying Norwegians

★★★ Wounded Bird APOLLON. CD/DL/LP

The return of Norway’s country rock touchstone.

Despite its hideous deadbird-on-a-plate cover image, Bergen’s Flying Norwegians’ second album Wounded Bird is a sought-after country rock winner. Their handle was borrowed from the Burritos, and genre templates define the 1976 release. Chris Hillman courses through Taste Of The Money and Let’s Walk To The River is a bluegrass-based treat. Evening Prayer adroitly conjures CSNY. Although Norway’s market for a homegrown Americana was small, the band found its niche as members were known from high-profile outfits Oriental Sunshine and Saft. But when Flying Norwegians supported Ozark Mountain Daredevils in Norway in 1976, the visitors poached guitarist Rune Wall. Three days later he was in America, leaving Flying Norwegians without their linchpin. Wounded Bird’s welcome reissue is accompanied by the return of the less-assured debut album

New Day. Each comes with a disappointingly brief liner note. Kieron Tyler