Customer Reviews

Spirit

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Väsen is from Sweden, and features the traditional Swedish folk instrument Nyckelharpa. They play largely traditional music, but with a modern flair all their own.

This is the first US release of any Väsen material. It covers the first 3 CDs (2 on Drone and 1 on Auvidis) plus some previously unreleased cuts. It has a few cuts that feature percussionist André Ferrari, but he plays trap set here rather than the small percussion he plays on later CDs. An early experiment with louder electrified versions of Väsen? I'm glad they chose not to pursue that vein much further.

Väsen is a great band and if you're interested in hearing them, you could buy this CD and get a feel for their early work. Then go buy their first 3 CDs, "Väsen", "Vilda Väsen" and "Essence".

Bart Brashers, American Nyckelharpa Association, nyckelharpa.org.

I came to this CD from fiddler friends already familiar with Scandi folk music. The tunes are halfway between classical and folk, often with A and B parts like common fiddle tunes. You could say it is chamber folk music. OK, the overall mood of the CD is dark and very evocative, ideal music for turning your imagination loose. There are moments where the ensemble playing is so "tight" that you can't pick out one instrument. The sound of the nyckelharpa always out front, alternately beautiful (like an oboe) or brash and farty sounding. The waltzes are stunning. The guitar accompaniment is brilliant, always moving, always harmonizing. The viola is always supporting. The music has lots of ornaments and twists. If you want to take a trip, but not leave the house, I recommend this CD.