Customer Reviews

Gling-Glo

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have had this album since its initial release (x yrs ago) and it's definitely been one of my favourites and still is and always will be. I also know a little about it and how it came to be. It was a collaboration between Iceland's most loved jazz musicians, Gudmundur Ingolfsson (piano) and Gudmundur Steingrimsson (percussion), veterans in their field, and young Bjork, who enjoyed a mixed fame in the home country - famous for being creative in her own right and infamous for shocking people with sensitive tastes. (FYI, neither of them is her dad.) While Bjork was in the Sugarcubes, she and Ingolfsson started hitting it off together and playing live whenever she had the time. They then recorded a collection of songs that were all chosen by Bjork with the aid of some friends. What I remember most is that at the time the album was released it had become common knowledge that Ingolfsson had cancer (news spread fast in a small country). A year later he was dead. That Gling-glo should turn out to be such a hit was such a great thing because it turned out to be last recordings he ever made. It should be noted that Gling-glo is considered as much Ingolfsson's album as it is Björk's, and that he is sorely missed by all.

Having said all that, I must add that the whole album is such a delight, that I wish they could have made more. It's easy on the ear, it swings in a modest way and it always, always picks up my spirits if I'm feeling blue.

And I always sing along at the top of my voice... everytime :-)

Who cares that this album is almost entirely in Bjork Gudmundsdottir's native tounge. Save for the last two songs, Gling Glo(means "tic toc) is completely in Icelandic. This album is a welcome change from Bjork's punk style with Kukl and her stint with the Sugarcubes. She is showcased on this cc and we can hear the full power and majesty of her voice.

This album is the most beautiful thing I own.Regardless of mood,event or atmosphere,this album will make you grin!

It is THE most frequently borrowed album in my little collection.My favourite song is bella simmaer(the telephone operator)and pabbi man but i could easily love them all equally.I bought it from amazon ions ago with no knowledge of it whatsoever other than that it was by bjork,but id be truly lost without it.I wish she'd make another!

Lyrics perhaps a little hard to understand, unless you come from iceland !(except the 2 last songs on the album). But REALLY, this is the most incredible CD I've ever heard, mixing : Jazz, Nordic popular songs, and ... BJORK !

As it turns out I ended up paying 34 dollars for this album which is by far the most I've payed for any album (I had to pay extra because I live abroad). But I'm no Bill Gates to go out spending that ammount of money on just one album unless it's worth every single dollar.

And, do I have any regrets? None whatsoever. The album is fantastic. I must confess that although I've always liked Jazz I'm no expert on the subject but I know what I like and this album is superb. The songs are excellent and, as always, Björk's voice is spectacular. The production of the album is great as well. It was quite a surprise when I found out that the album was recorded live in 2 days. No second takes or anything of the sort which again confirms just how good an artist is Björk.

However you cant help but feel a bit frustrated about not understanding a sinlgle word from 14 of the 16 songs . But if that doesn't bother you too much I suggest you buy it.

Before hearing this particular cd, I had heard Bjork's songs before, and I thought they were pretty good. Then I heard this one and I was floored. It's jazzy, some songs have a musical type quality, overall I'd say it's one of the best cd's I've heard lately, and I can't even understand a word (except the two songs in english)! :) I highly recommend this cd.

This album is stunning in EVERY WAY. Bjork's voice sounds like she was MEANT to sing jazz. She adds a flair that only she can. Everyone should have this album!

This is one of my favorite CD's. I love the way Bjork sings all these Icelandic songs with her own voice and gives them a new life. Even though you don't understand Icelandic you will still enjoy this CD. Bjorks magic and the marvelous jazz band makes this a different jazz CD and very special.

I'm a huge Bjork fan and I've got most of her other CDs. After downloading a few songs and reading reviews for Gling-Glo I decided to give it a shot. Any other singer and this CD would be average at best, but the Bjork factor makes it awesome. Nobody sings with the same conviction and feeling in their voice as Bjork. The instrumentalists are pretty good as well. Overall, decent music + Bjork = excellent album.

The jazz is soothing, relaxing and mellow. Louis Armstrong would be proud of those funky Icelandics. This CD is proof that Bjork is the real queen of soul. She really lets go here, wailing, growling, screaming. Her voice sends shivers down my spine every time. This CD will turn a jazz fan into a Bjork fan and vice versa. The fact that most of the songs are in Icelandic only adds to the CD. I don't speak a word of Icelandic and I don't understand a word they're saying, but that's the beauty of it. You appreciate Bjork's voice as an instrument, you appreciate the music, the foreign tongue. To cut a long story short, buy the CD!