Customer Reviews

Felefeber: Norwegian Fiddle Music

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Felefeber, which means Fiddle Fever, plays better compositions than her later album, Prisme, by focusing more on making music and less on showing her proficiency on the hardingfele or Hardanger fiddle. Most of the songs are called traditionals which is to say that they were played mainly by 18th and early 19th century fiddlers including Jon Rosenlid, Ola Hildalen, Ola Kjellstad, Haldor Melland, Ola Mosafinn and Kristiane Lund. She not only uses the late Lund's song, but apparently borrows her fiddle to play it. As one of the most significant of the Norwegians who bring a pre-twentieth century folk medium into the 21st century, each placing their own stamp of influence, she takes relatively few liberties with the folk medium in this 54-minute, 14-cut album. The first cut, The Water Lily, introduces the classic style of the album which tunes were mostly arranged by co-producer (with Lien) guitarist Roger Tallroth who plays with the Swedish group, Vaasen. On The Plucked Halling her hardingfele is utilized at times as a percussion instrument on the spirited number. 3 songs have religious roots although with no vocals anywhere on the album the evangelism-averse need not fear. The title cut, one of only two self-compositions, was written after a jam session with musicians of other genres. A need not to be too far from home or her roots is suggested. The album ends with The Miller Boy's Bridal March (also on The Wizard Women of The North collection), a haunting drone of unrequited love. This a very different album from either Prisme or Baba Yaga, one with a pleasant, gentle sound which is not easy to achieve with the Hardanger fiddle.

Hardanger fiddler Annbjorg Lien offers an appealing fusion of traditional and contemporary Norwegian music. The folk tunes have a gentle, lilting quality about them despite their unusual, challenging rhythms. The arrangements, most of which are by guitarist Roger Tallroth, are engagingly quaint but with a whisper of contemporary-classical. Most tracks feature either solo hardanger fiddle, or fiddle with organ or guitar accompaniment. The fiddle and the organ actually blend together very well in tone and technique; with so many chords and drone notes worked into the playing, solo hardanger fiddling can sound like closely voiced keyboard playing. And it's nice to hear a church organ used in "popular" music; so often overlooked, it's such a versatile instrument-- the original "synthesizer," if you will! It works very well here. These sweet, charming tunes will cheer you up with their bright timbre and folksy feel! Other albums by Annbjorg Lien include the more contemporary "Baba Yaga" on the Northside label. Try also the work of Vasen, "Can We Have Christmas Now?" by Sari and Mari Kaasinen of Varttina, and the Northside compilation "Wizard Women of the North."

I had enjoyed some of the fiddle music in the film Fargo. So after a bit of research, I found this performer and cd. If you like fiddle music, you'll like this. Tradtional Norwegian folk music, all instrumental. It may be tradtional in Norway, but for me it sounds new and I enjoy the different type of sounds. Really an interesting cd. I'm going to get the other cd by this artist.

While this album of tunes might be more traditional than Lien's Prisme recording, it lacks the vitality that makes the other so satisfying a listen. The pacing of her playing on Felefeber is somewhat stead and becomes a bit monotonous after the first few tracks. The selections seem to be in closely related keys, which only adds to this lamentable affect. Her playing is competent thoughout, even masterful, but uninspired.