Grimborg

Gjallarhorn | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 12, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Northside Records
• ASIN: B00006RAK3
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,259 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes!, January 12, 2003

By 

Jim Allan (Toronto, ON Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grimborg (Audio CD)

I moderately liked this group's previous album Sjofn.

This one blows it away.

All but two tracks are based on traditonal Swedish folk tunes and folk lyrics, presented in sophisticated but folk-rooted world fusion arrangements

Jenny Wilhelms vocals are excellent, with wonderful microtonal ornamentation, but are far surpassed by the amazing background instrumentals and the all-instrumental tracks.

The instruments include Australian didgeridoo for drone, fiddle, viola, and an eclectic mixture of other instruments.

The sound is firmly stated, but never soaring because it doesn't need to soar. Instead we hear rocking and rolling waves of sound in different rhythms, often overlapping.

It is like a mixture of Yo Yo Ma with Mark O'Connor, some of Loreena McKennitt, Kronos Quartet, some of Shiela Chandra, Mychael Danna's romantic mimimalism, Sigur Rós, some of Bulgarian voices, some of Huun-Huur-Tu, some ambient music.

On the second-last track, "Kuling - Cow-calling", Wilhelm uses her voice purely as in instrument with shrill, keening, wordless cries playing against and around muttering and thrumming strings in an astounding, untethered, free composition.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spare and elegant, November 2, 2003

By 

Ken Irwin (Springfield, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grimborg (Audio CD)

This disc continues to demonstrate Gjallarhorn's fine musicianship and their ability to play traditional Nordic music with flair and a bit of a twist. This disc may be a bit more traditional than their previous releases, and a bit more spare than I'd prefer. Those seeking exciting music might look to their first release, Sjofn. This one is more minimalist, which may appeal to many fans of Nordic music, but it's not quite what I was hoping for.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good album - but not their best, April 7, 2010

By 

Kai Virihaur "Amateur Gardener" (Northern Europe) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Grimborg (Audio CD)

I have been a fan of Gjallarhorn for years, ever since I bought their album "Sjofn".
So recently I managed to find a copy of "Grimborg" through an Amazon store, and expected it to be equal to "Sjofn".

Well, it is good - but it does show some influences from classical chamber music which I feel is a bit misplaced here. Also, there is sometimes a bit too many instruments playing at the same time, IMHO. I prefer the more "raw" ancient feeling.

Still, it has as always the gorgeous voice of the band leader -- Jenny Wilhelms.

Besides "Sjofn" I also very strongly recommend their earlier album "Ranarop".