 |  | A tour de force of Scandinavian music, both new and old! |  |
Lively, mysterious, fascinating, funky and pleasantly unusual--these are just some of the words that come to mind for this widely-varied collection of Nordic Music. Pop and folk artists from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Samiland, Greenland and Iceland are showcased, and most of their numbers feature traditional instruments such as nyckelharpa, kantele and hardanger fiddle. The first half of the album is a rich, stirring sequence of folk-influenced numbers heavily colored by modern instrumentations and sensibilities. These selections then give way to more unapologetically traditional offerings. My favorite songs have to be Sorten Muld's "2 Sostre" (a spooky, funky take on the dark ballad of "The Two Sisters") and "Tramp" (a great neo-traditional composition by guitarist Knut Reiersrud and organist Iver Kleive that is reminiscent of the work of the Paul Winter Consort). If you enjoy this "Rough Guide" CD, you'll also like the nicely-priced "Nordic Roots" series of samplers put out by NorthSide, featuring some of the same artists.
May 25, 2003| | | A Swede Disk from Start to Finnish | |
Punning aside, this truly is a superb compilation highlighting the best of current folk music from Northern Europe. Because their music scenes are the most vibrant, Sweden, Norway, and Finland get the primary emphases (with one tune each for Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, and Lapland).
The Scandies don't insist on roots purity, so you get electronic, Celtic, and even African overtones and intertwinings on various tracks. All of the music is captivating; much is danceable. Unless you've got relatives from these parts, live there currently, or are yourself an expatriot, it's improbable that you'll be able to imagine the zest, the drive, or the diversity of this CD. My grandfather was a Copenhagen lad, and I loved the Danish track; but I also loved the whole album, chosen once again with care by the Rough Guide folks (no longer just Phil Stanton) so that you'll want to listen repeatedly. This emphatically is NOT a Smithsonian field recording: this is living, bopping, transcendent stuff with a beat, a poignance, and a soul-stirring beauty. Explore: buy it, listen, and seek out those groups whose grooves impress you most. It's a Brave New World! July 30, 2000
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