Customer Reviews

Stone Chair

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If you are a Celtophile and you want to listen to other ethereal otherworldly music, give "Bukkene Bruse" a try. They play Nordic music, on a mix of ancient and modern instruments - fiddles, nyckelharpa, flutes ...

Some of the tunes are similar to Celtic tunes - lamenting and soulful, and at other times merry and playful. Arve Moen Bergset's voice is beautiful - it brings the air of Gregorian chant into the Nordic tunes. My favourite track in this album is Runarvisa (6). This album is a treasure.

Bukkene Bruse has created a 21st Century masterpiece of traditional Norwegian music. Evocative, transcendental and captivating this quartet combines fiddle, flute, electronics and percussion with. Free and diminishing rhythms accent melodies as key changes progress through each track. "Ein annan halling" is perhaps the signature track and includes a jews harp, not often used so effectively. "Fanitullen" opens with fiddle mastery, bowing and pizzicato. "Kjellstadhallingen" uses the softest flute to underlay the energy of fiddle and percussion. "Springar i dur" is almost a Celtic jig in its enthusiasm. "Numedalshalling" combines percussion, electronic keyboard, flute and vocals in a melodic progression.

Anyone who appreciates traditional, Celtic or medieval music should add this to their collection.

This is just a wonderful album from start to finish, not traditional strictly speaking, but also not veering off into any folk/fusion. It contains just that perfect balance of ambiance and engaging virtuosity to keep just about everyone happy.

The hardanger fiddle, played by Annbjorg Lien, is clearly the dominant solo instrument on a great number of the pieces on this album, but this should not overshadow some great flute work and moving vocals. The CD insert helpfully includes the vocals and an english translation, much to my satisfaction.

I find it hard to imagine that the listener will grow tired of this album.

After buying the Nordic Roots collection, I took a chance and purchased this CD buy these Northside Records artists. It was like opening a melodic treasure. The vocals and instrumental are powerful and tender at the same time. There is no adequate way to describe this recording. A must have for those who have been fans of Celtic Music and want to shake things up a bit.