Customer Reviews

May Monday

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Nice stuff! Accordion master Karen Tweed, of the Nordic group Swap, continues her fascinating career as a Celtic/world crossover artists with this richly understated set of accordion-based instrumentals. Teamed up with the pianist of JPP and Troka, Tweed spins out melodic yet moody ballads and airs. The Celtic influence is undeniable, although moderated with a wealth of other styles, including just a hint of Astor Piazolla-influenced tango. Only a couple of tunes become cloying (note to Tweed: drop the flugelhorn), on the whole, though, this is a delightful album, and something quite nice to have on for a quiet moment at home. Recommended!

A collection of mostly new compositions in the Irish and Swedish folk traditions. The pieces are centered around Karen Tweed's piano accordian and Timo Alakotila's classically-influenced piano playing, but around half of the tracks also feature a chamber group made up of a second accordian, guitar, flugelhorn and strings. The accordian playing is intricate but relaxed, the seamless long melodic lines superb. Although it's using a different musical tradition, the approach reminds me of Gideon Kramer's chamber renditions of Piazzolla's tangos on Hommage a Piazzolla. Highly recommended, even for those (like me) not normally attracted to folk music.