Customer Reviews

Sweet Sunny North 2

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3 star:		(1)
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After introducing the Western world to Madagascar music with the "World Out of Time" compilations, guitarists Kaiser and Lindley decided to do the same thing for Norway. They flew to Norway with a digital recorder and spent three weeks recorded several of the best musicians in the country, often playing along with them. This second CD also includes several tracks recorded while a few of the performers were touring America in support of the first CD. While much Scandinavian music sounds like a moodier variation on Celtic music, with plenty of fiddles, Norwegian music has a different feel, often using scales and intonations that we usually associate with Middle and Near Eastern music. My favorite tracks are Tone Hulbaekmo's "The Beautiful Maid on a Mountain High", big band Chateau Neuf Spelemannslag's "Polska from Elvedalen" (don't miss their "Stolen Goods" CD), and the Brazz Brothers' "Bridal March". There's less upbeat music this time around than on the first CD, and the extent to which you enjoy this album is going to depend on how much you like fiddle music. If you do, then you will find this a solid, enjoyable album, though I prefer Volume 1.

This album is a wonderful representation of Norwegian folk music by a large variety of Norwegian folk musicians. Not as upbeat and melodic as Irish music, Norwegian folk music is hauntingly beautiful, creating images of cold, dark winter nights.

People inclined to ethnic music in general (like celtic, cajun, etc)should find this album delightful. The variety of instuments and singers are authentic examples of the best in Norwegian ethnic music!