The Whole Music Experience

Elin Furubotn New Path Ozella When I hear the term Norwegian folk music, I usually think of traditional Norwegian music heavy on the hardanger fiddle and medieval folk ballads.   However, Norwegian folk can also refer to singer-songwriters such as Kari Bremnes, a Norwegian musical star, or so many others ranging from 20-years-of-age to well beyond that.   Elin Furubotn follows in the tradition of folk-fusion.   She composes more subtle tunes that range from jazz to folk to rock (the title track) on her album New Path .   She possesses a good ear for melodies that she sings in a near-whisper.     However, don’t be fooled by the softer timbre of Furubotn’s vocals, since she appears passionate about the themes that appear in each of her songs. I admit that it took me a few listens before New Path grew on me.   While I have heard many recordings graced with Norwegian vocals over the years, for some reason, I was having a difficult time ...

Anita Skorgan Pågyllen Grunn Kirkelig Kulturverksted The Norwegian label Kirkelig Kulturverksted has over several decades brought its audiences innovative projects.   These recording projects build bridges, exchange cultures, or bring Scandinavian folk songs into a contemporary environment.   Anita Skorgan’s Pågyllen Grunn brings together diverse musicians including the early music lute player Rolf Lislevand, a young trumpet player versed in Arabic music, Arve Henriksen, a global percussionist Helge Norbakken and electric guitarist Eivind Aarseth.   And you might wonder what the musicians could do with that eclectic set of instruments. From what I can tell from the press notes, (the liner notes and lyrics are all in Norwegian with no English translation), the ensemble of talented musicians recorded ten arranged folk songs (lyrics by KKV Founder Erik Hillestad) in the mausoleum of the late artist Emanuel Vigeland.   A large painting featuring the c...

Sondre Bratland and Annbjorg Lien Everywhere Kirkelig Kultureverksted Two of Norway’s biggest musical talent, singer/balladeer Sondre Bratland and hardanger fiddler Annbjorg Lien combine their talents on Everywhere . The throaty laments of the fiddle frame Bratland’s baritone voice on this wintry album. “For a number of years the duo of Sondre Bratland and Annbjorg Lien has been performing concerts in Norwegian churches. This CD Everywhere presents their fully ripened versions of Norwegian religious folk songs.” (Liner notes). The recording features lively and somber songs. The Norwegian folk elements are most evident on the lilting melodies sung in Norwegian and the folk fiddling that rivals American bluegrass with its twang and twists. Both Bratland and Lien have produced several critically-acclaimed albums over the decades, though Lien is decades younger than Bratland who is a true veteran of Norwegian folk and sacred music. Lien performed with her own band for sever...

Norwegian Brass: Conversation with Mathias Eick While I was hosting a community radio show, Global Heartthrob, I came across Norwegian multi-instrumentalist Mathias Eick. This occurred around the time when my consciousness towards trumpeters was growing. I had been listening to Miles Davis, Terence Blanchard and other players. ECM Records and Kirgelig Kulturverksted had both sent me recordings featuring Eick's clear tones. Since I received several recordings around the same time with Eick's contributions, I told myself that at some point I would interview the musician. And actually, had I kept hosting my radio show, he would have been a featured artist. Similar to Blanchard's work, especially on A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina), Eick also pulls colors from an emotional palette. But these emotions feel more like mood changes or perhaps light changes over the course of a day. The musician has in a short time, 29 years, has developed quite ...