Customer Reviews

Nordic Roots 3

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a huge fan of this series. Not only are these some of the most affordable samplers, but they are some of the most enjoyable. Number 3 in the series is as strong as the first two, with some familiar names and some new folks, too !!

Normally samplers are a bit of a hit-and-miss. You like some of the songs, but grimace a little at others. Not this series. Nordic Roots have a consistency and logic to the order in which the songs are presented that make them a very coherent and pleasant listen from start to finish. Even the Hoven Droven song fits in !

There's a joy to scandanavian music that is reminiscent of the most upbeat Celtic tunes, with which they also share a certain mournfulness. Imagine dancing around the may-pole with fiddle and/or accordian accompaniment or visualize the slow-swirling fog of the moors, and you'll have the right idea.

Nordic Roots 3 starts off strongly, and you'll get a good sample by listening to the first two tracks !!

Nordic Roots 3: another wish come true! The rainbow colors on the cover, a setting sun reflected in a stream is an apt representation of the mysterious and intriguing music within! Sparkling streams, lush, verdant landscapes viewed from a mountain top, and fields of wildflowers are as hypnotic and magnitizing as Nordic music itself!! Headliner musical artists: Hedningarna, Swap, Gamarana, Vasen, Varttina, Ranarim, Wimme, and Maria Kalaniemi, just to name a few, play their best and most shining examples of Nordic style music. The nyckelharpa, keyed violin, hardanger fiddle, violas, percussion, flutes, guitar, and even a didgeridoo add more mysterious sounds to the already haunting oom-laut accented Swedish and Norwegian female vocalists. Accordion music never sounded so magical and sweet as when played by Maria Kalaniemi. "The Greenist Branch" sung in Latin and accompanied by Swedish instruments played by Gamarna adds a whole new dimension to the meditative Latin words of one of the most famous German female mystics. Ranarim, one of my favorites, provides an extraordinairy rendition of "High Mountains, Low Valleys", which was recorded live. The music on the whole CD, has a Celtic lilt, with some Eastern European mystery, along with the American Appalachian fiddle sound, a cross-over mixture that is indeed indescribable but every bit as

powerful and captivating! The "joik" chanting by Wimme (Finland) has a Native American sound and feel, which is tremendously moving combined with the modern techno sounds. It actually has some Buddhist-like meditative undertones that are intriguing beyond description. Nordic Music is indeed a natural wonder and is worth exploring by anyone who loves traditional and roots music. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

The Nordic Roots samplers are a bargin, no lie, so go ahead and pick up the whole set, but while this one is fine, it's not the greatest sampler they've done, and if you are only curious about Nordic music, grab the second one instead.

This is the best of the Nordic Roots yet!! Wonderful sounds,
beats, and beautifully done! Great to read by, listen
while painting, or just plain relaxing.

To a degree samplers are samplers - a mixture of appealing and unappealing material to sample, to explore and as the production company hopes, to purchase. I've been hooked on the Nordic Roots samplers since the first was issued in 1998. Why? Because this is music I otherwise never hear; it seems to be underplayed in the world music arena.

Every Nordic Roots has introduced me to some group I wish to explore further. Here it is the first track, Gjallarthorn's "Suvetar, Goddess of Spring" perform by fiddle, didgeridoo, percussion, mandola and voice. The sound is initially similar to "ambient music" but as the piece progresses it demands your attention.

Wimme's "Bamboo Honey" has a distinctive Finnish vocal style mixed with electronic music. While I have mixed reactions to the accompaniment, the vocals are excellent.

I'll admit to being a Varttina fan since the Selenko album; blame my Finnish roots. Varttina is not for the folk music purist but the sound is entrancing and accessible even though I know nothing of the language and the words are not translated.

The group Garmarna offers "Viridissima Virga" by Hildegard von Bingen. The contemporary arrangement is very good and well performed, but I'd still opt for the original.

Swap is an intriguing group - Nordic and Celtic musicians merging their traditions.

For those of you more interested in danceable pieces, listen to the tracks by Vasen, Aly Bain & Ale Moller, or Nyckelharpa Orchestra.

With this breadth of musical styles, most listeners should find some music to their liking. For most of us, the music we like will also introduce us to a new artist and tradition.

The NorthSide label carries several bands and musicians who are doing modern variations on traditional Scandinavian folk styles. This is the third sampler of their artists, billed as "cheaper than food". And so it is--each CD has cost me [very little]. Much of the music sounds like moodier Celtic music, with fiddles the predominant instrument. While this CD starts strong, with great cuts from Gjallarhorn (who've introduced the Australian didjeridoo to Nordic music) and Maria Kalaniemi & Aldargaz, and the most listenable track I've heard yet from postmodern shaman Wimme, the album isn't as strong overall as the previous two compilations. There are four tracks that were recorded live at the Nordic Roots Festival, but strangely enough, they have less intensity than most of the studio tracks (though the Ranarim track is lovely).

I have all three of the Nordic Roots, so far, this is by far the best one. The music is enticing and exciting, with various rythms and mixes of music that comes out smoothly and very interestingly. There is a jazz feel in some songs, a native sound that resonates of old Viking roots, and the combination is refreshing. It's great when the albums keep getting better as this series of Roots has! It has been a great exploration of my own nordic roots, talent, originality, ingenuity all describe this one! Thanks to the talented artists!

Combining traditional tunes and instruments from Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Sami people with modern electronics and sensibilities, this is Nordic neo-folk music promoted with grace, zeal and consummate professionalism. Overall, "Nordic Roots 3" is the mellowest of the three "Nordic Roots" samplers, with more gentle, reflective numbers than the others releases, but still a few lively ones as well. Many of the artists featured on "Nordic Roots" 1 and 2 return, as well as some new faces, such as Gjallarhorn, Maria Kalaniemi and Aldargaz, Harv, Ranarim and the Nyckelharpa Orchestra. If you like the "Nordic Roots" series, check out the many releases of NorthSide's individual artists, as well as World Music Network's survey album, "Rough Guide to the Music of Scandinavia".

What can I say about this CD. Certainly, it is one of my favorite CD's. The various artists who perform on this CD are wonderful. My first exposure to the Nordic Music scene occured while watching World Link TV. As I watched it, Garmarna began playing Gamen. Soon after this I had my first Nordic CD (Garmana-- Vengence).

As I began searching for other artists from this area of the world, I came across Nordic Roots 3. So I figured what the heck, it was cheap and offered a number of different artists so I could discover my particular tastes. I quickly fell in love with songs such as: Suvetar, Goddess of Spring (Gjallarhorn), Greenest Branch (Garmarna), High Mountains, Low Valleys (Ranarim), to name a few.

For someone who thinks they may be interested in learning about the Nordic Music scene, this is a great sampler. Since buying this CD, I have purchased Nordic Roots 2 (which I love). I highly recommend this CD.

I LOVE this cd! The music takes you to another world. I hope a vol. 4 is coming out soon. *Crosses fingers and toes*