Ranarop: Call Of The Sea Witch

Gjallarhorn (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 27, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Finlandia
• ASIN: B00000DD2O
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #408,283 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Intro

2. Konungen och trollkvinnan (The king and the enchantress)

3. Herr Olof (Master Olof)

4. I fjol sa (Last year)

5. Solbon/Askan (Prayer for sun/Thunder)

6. O-vals (Non-Waltz)

7. I riden sa... (Ye ride so carefully)

8. Sjojungfrun och konungadottern (The mermaid and the princess)

9. Folkesongen (Folk song)

10. Elviras vals/Oravais menuett (Elvira's waltz/Oravais minuet)

11. Eldgjald (Galder song)

12. Ramunder

13. Kulning (Calling)

14. Epilogue

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Gjallarhorn hail from Ostrobothnia, a culturally Swedish region of Finland. The most immediately evident instrument on this recording is a decidedly non-Nordic didgeridoo. Gjallarhorn are primarily an acoustic group, but they have a large, highly produced sound that sweeps the listener away. They sing old ballads and ancient stories, and do it in a stridently contemporary style. Yet this band of contradictions has produced an album of remarkable cohesiveness and creativity. Gjallarhorn are singer and fiddler Jenny Wilhelms; Christopher Öhman on viola, fiddle, mandola, and supporting vocals; percussionist David Lillkvist; and Jacob Frankenhaeuser on didgeridoo. (Frankenhaeuser plays on the recording but was replaced soon after it was made by didg-ist Tommi Mansikka-Aho.) It is the didgeridoo that creates the group's distinctive dark, growling sound. The instrument plays a strong counterpoint to Wilhelms ethereal vocal delivery and supplies a harsh rhythmic element to drive along the strings. Percussionist Lillkvist gives the Swedish rhythms a lot of worldly space. Gjallarhorn's success lies in their ability to take this unique sound and make it serve a marvelous group of mostly traditional songs, letting the ballads breathe and giving the dance tunes fire. Ranarop is a remarkable first recording, from a band that seems set to produce even better. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Let the Didgeridoo Throw You, April 30, 2003

By 

Thengling (La Grange, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ranarop: Call Of The Sea Witch (Audio CD)

If you are in search of truly authentic Scandinavian fiddle styles, look no further. Impeccable bowing and double-stop technique and vocal chanting. An interesting texture is achieved with the odd addition of the didgeridoo, which does not in the least detract from the purity of the well-researched folklore. This album has escaped the sugar-coating of California-New-Age layers that plagues so many other bands in the World Music category. A first-rate work of artistry! By the way, I'd choose this album over the more recent Sjofn.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hypnotic and compelling, August 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ranarop: Call Of The Sea Witch (Audio CD)

I bought this CD several months ago, have been playing it constantly ever since, and have yet to tire of Gjallarhorn's music. The didgeridoo and percussion complement the Scandinavian fiddles and Wilhelms's lovely voice as though they were made for each other. This album somehow unites the more hard-edged sensibility of progressive groups like Hedningarna with a sweeter traditional sound without ever losing its edge. Plus it's got a beat you can dance to. Highly recommended.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Etheral, April 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ranarop: Call Of The Sea Witch (Audio CD)

I must say that I personally don't own this CD, but I have friends that do. I think it is a beautiful collection of original music. I met this group at WOMAD, and the music is even better live. Songs I particulary enjoyed are "Konugen och trollkvinnen" and "I fjol sa" because of Jenny and Christophers stunning duets and the primal drumming and didgeridoo. This is a wonderfully crafted album, and a must for your CD rack!