Customer Reviews

Ranarop: Call Of The Sea Witch

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

If the aborigines of the Australian outback were to show up at a barn dance in Valhalla, this is probably what it would sound like. Didgeridoo and all kinds of percussion combine with Nordic folk tunes sung by an even-toned soprano and energetically rendered by a few fiddlers with mad skills. It's a surprisingly effective combination; the sound is extremely unique yet accessible enough to not be exotic, not exhausting. The CD's insert is fun--explaining that these are the folk tunes and ancient ballads of the Swedish-speaking Finns and that the "shamanistic pulsation and ancient borduna style" of this music has much in common with the Australian didgeridoo tradition. This music is an exciting blend of "acoustic sound world" that reassures me concerning the merits of fusion music.

Based on traditional folk music of Swedish-speaking Finns. Definite modern style folk-rock fusion using a mixture of vocals, fiddle playing, didgeridoo, and other instruments. If you like Hedningarna and Garmarna, you'll certainly like this CD. A couple of the tracks are a little too new-age for my taste.

One of the most beautiful CD's I have ever heard.

I am a writer of books- and when I play this CD I am taken to deep innerspaces Divine!
Come to my site www.patricekarst.com and read a blog I wrote called The Call of The Sea Witch to get an idea where I go and where you just might too-- when you give yourself the gift of this music.

Spirit was pleased with this creation!!

Bravo Gjallarhorn!!! I will spread the word and answer the call--

just love!

Patrice Karst
www.patricekarst.com

Hi there everybody! I'm very glad that you all purchased this cd,as I'm a good friend of theirs and really like the band!If you ever have the opportunity I highly recommend to see them live!Obviously I have their first cd and I'm looking forward to their second wich is to be released in june!Don't miss that one!