Album Review: Ompa Nesehorn Musa I Hönsehuset by Johannes Eckhoff
Alright, let’s talk about this quirky little gem from way back in 1955. Ompa Nesehorn Musa I Hönsehuset is a children's album that feels like it was plucked straight out of some Norwegian grandma’s record collection. And honestly? It’s kind of charming. Released on Philips with backing from Arne Bendiksens Eventyr-ensemble (try saying THAT three times fast), this thing has got a vibe that screams “old-school storytelling meets sing-along fun.”
First up, the track Musa I Hönsehuset. Oh man, this one sticks with you. It’s got this bouncy rhythm that makes you wanna grab a spoon and pretend it’s a microphone. The lyrics are simple but oddly captivating—like, who wouldn’t want to imagine living in a house full of animals? I mean, come on, kids love that stuff. Plus, Johannes Eckhoff’s vocals have this warm, friendly tone that just pulls you in. You can tell he’s not trying too hard; he’s just having a blast singing about whatever "Musa" and her animal pals are getting into. Feels like a cozy Saturday morning cartoon before cartoons were even a thing.
Then there’s Ompa Nesehorn. This tune is pure gold for anyone who digs nonsense rhymes and silly imagery. Like… what IS an “Ompa Nesehorn” anyway? Doesn’t matter—it sounds hilarious, and so does the song. The melody is catchy as heck, and those horn bits sprinkled throughout give it a playful edge. You can practically picture a bunch of Norwegian kiddos bouncing around their living rooms while this plays in the background. Honestly, if I heard this at a party today, I’d probably start dancing. No shame.
What really stands out here is how unpretentious the whole thing feels. Böyesen and Mackenzie wrote these tracks clearly with kids in mind, but they didn’t dumb ‘em down either. There’s heart in every note, and you can tell everyone involved had fun making it. Even though it came out nearly 70 years ago, it still holds up as something special.
So yeah, Ompa Nesehorn Musa I Hönsehuset might not change your life or anything, but it’ll definitely put a smile on your face. Weird title aside, it’s a reminder that sometimes music doesn’t need to be super deep or polished to leave an impression. Fun fact: listening to this made me wonder if Johannes Eckhoff ever tried his hand at stand-up comedy. Something tells me he’d crush it.
