Claudia Scott – The Queen of Norwegian Americana

The award-winning singer and songwriter Claudia Scott has been a major force in Norwegian music for decades. Let me introduce you to Claudia’s musical universe. 

By Michael Hartmann. January 6, 2022. Last updated on June 12, 2023.

(Photo: Annette Larsen. Used with permission).

Meet Claudia Scott, a Norwegian/British singer, songwriter, and producer specializing in americana and folk music. She was born in Newcastle and spent her first few years in London, before moving at the age of 6 with her family to Bergen, Norway.

Have you heard Claudia’s music before? Her album Restless Souls is a good place to start.

(Photo via Facebook/Claudia Scott. Used with permission/Claudia Scott).

Claudia: -The title track Restless Souls reflects the people I have met on the road throughout the years. We are fortunate to meet a lot of interesting people on our travels and some of them have become my dear friends.

-Writing songs, recording albums, and touring is a natural process in my work as a songwriter and musician, and when I have recorded an album, I always think about the follow-up.

Here’s the title track:

I think of all the times we pushed on throughNot knowing where we’d endAnd I think of all the people we once knewWhatever happened to them…

Claudia is a seasoned artist who has contributed to the music scene for decades. Her first Norwegian Grammy was in the roots and country category in 1985, and her second was in the country category in 2014.

Claudia traveled to the US this summer. In Memphis, Tennessee, she visited Overton Park Shell, an open-air amphitheater in Overton Park.

-I have only been to Overton Park Shell a few times before the picture was taken, and have no specific association with OPS,  but it was quite special to stand on the same stage Elvis Presley made one of his first performances.

ON HISTORIC GROUND: Claudia at The Shell in Memphis. (Photo via Facebook/Claudia Scott. Used with permission).

This is a live performance from “Allsang på Grensen”, a televised concert series held at Fredriksten Fortress in Norway every summer.

When Love’s on Your Side is an uplifting and catchy song. As a result of hearing Claudia perform it live, it became one of my favorites.

When love’s on your sideWhen love’s on your sideYou can do anythingFeel like a queenWhen love’s on your sideWe’re so much betterWhen we touch the soul of anotherIt doesn’t take a lifetime to discover…

How do we define Americana as a genre? This question seems to have many answers. One of them is this, taken from Wikipedia:

Americana, as defined by the Americana Music Association (AMA), is…

…contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B, and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw. While acoustic instruments are often present and vital, Americana also often uses a full electric band.

This is Changes:

A picture of my dad and I …is a hauntingly beautiful song…

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES: Claudia with her father, Clive Scott. (Photo by Claudia Scott. Used with permission).

We’d take the bus to the big, wide fjord

Have the best times we ever had…

It’s funny what sticks in the mind of a child

It’s the little things that make me smile

I can still see in my mind’s eye

A picture of my dad and I…

Claudia has collaborated with many great artists over the years. Casino Steel is one of her closest friends.

Steel is a Norwegian rock, punk, and country musician who has played in several bands in The UK and Norway. He tours all over the world with The Boys, a punk band he formed with Matt Dangerfield in the 70s.

SUMMER: Claudia, enjoying the summer in Oslo. (Photo via Instagram/claudiascottofficial. Used with permission).
Claudia met Casino and Ottar Johansen in 1983 when they formed the trio Claudia- Big Hand – Casino. The trio lasted until 1986 and Casino and Claudia then became part of the band CCCP together with Carlene Carter ( The Carter family) and John Payne ( Asia).
Carmelita.
In 1984, Claudia and Casino recorded the album  Scott & Steel which they also toured with. Today, they have their own solo careers, though Casino and Claudia often work on projects together.
-He has a great sense of humor and is sympathetic, knowledgeable, and uncompromising when it comes to music. We had a great evening and celebration with good friends on stage and in the audience. 
Claudia and Casino Steel collaborated on this song. Step back in time, to 2013:

Carmelita, hold me tighter

I think I’m sinking down

And I’m all strung out on heroin

On the outskirts of town…

All My Life.

This is All My Life, another song Claudia recorded with Casino Steel. It is a translation of Heile Livet, a song by Norwegian singer Terje Tysland.

In silence, side by side
We sense the night come alive
In silence we catch the dawn’s first light
In silence I hear the sound of our thoughts rage in fear
What can I do when all I am is here?

 The Ferryman is a hauntingly beautiful song…

You are not aloneAfter dark comes lightI’ll be by your sideHold you through the nightI will stay with you

Where Did You Go? (1991)

Are you a longtime fan of Claudia or have you just discovered her? Hopefully, you will find your favorite songs by exploring Claudia’s music…

MEETING CLAUDIA SCOTT: I had a lovely conversation with Claudia after one of her concerts. And yes, the photobombing was hilarious! (Photo: Michael Hartmann).

Below are Restless Souls (the complete album), and This is Claudia Scott. Enjoy!

Follow Claudia for news and updates:

Facebook (Norwegian).

Instagram (Norwegian and English).

claudiascott.com

Follow coverstory.no on…

Facebook.

Instagram.

… and Michael Hartmann on Instagram.