Customer Reviews

From Senegal to Setesdal

5 star:		(4)
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I heard a review of this CD on NPR's "All Things Considered," where there was a short interview with Kirsten Braten Berg and a few seconds of three or four selections from the CD were played. I immediately wrote down the title and artist's names in order to begin my search for it. I finally bought it two months later, and I am so thrilled by this purchase. The music is so beautifully rich and colorful, and displays distinctly diverse cultural styles while making obvious their shared nuances... and somehow, their sounds are similar in many ways. The melodies are contagious, and though I can't speak either language which is sung, the lyrics are catchy and fun, and I sing along anyway. I get the impression, too, that the musicians really shared a great learning experience while working on this project, each learning about the others' culture. This really is wonderful, mostly uplifting music. Adding to my fondness for it is the fact that I bought it upon hearing a review. Go figure!

The concept of a meeting of Norwegian and African musicians sounds unlikely on paper. Surprise, surprise! This CD is beautiful and entirely unique! Kirsten Braten Berg has one of the most lovely, pure voices on the planet and boy does it sound good framed by the superb kora and African percussion provided by her collaborators. Stands right up there with the Buena Vista Social Club as a charming, fun beautiful listening experience that proves that music really is the universal language.

I first heard Kirsten Braten-Berg's voice in "Nordisk Sang", a totally Scandinavian CD, which is nothing like American music at all. Her voice is pure & strong whether accompanied by instruments or not. I found another CD, "Kelpie", in which she mixes Celtic & Scandinavian music, & I liked that one too. So when I saw her album, "From Senegal to Setesdal" I jumped on it. People who like world music will probably like this too. Although I can't understand the language, her voice & music mixed with African voices & music, is fascinating & I find it bouncing around in my mind at odd times during the day. I like the music from Senegal, such as Orchestra Baobab, so I knew I would enjoy this CD.

this cd exemplifies world music and the synergy of two seemingly exclusive cultures. the mouth harp brings a vibrational stage which is beautifully adorned by singing voices, high and low.this music is pure delight.