Karelia Visa

Hedningarna

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: February 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Northside Records
• ASIN: B00000I5DP
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #243,007 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Hedningarna return to their full Finnish-Swedish lineup with Karelia Visa, bringing back the Finnish voices of Sanna Kurki-Suonio and Anita Lehtola. For much of their career they have explored the runesongs of ancient Finland, particularly in the area called Karelia that straddles the Russian border. This album goes into the oldest Karelian traditions by collecting tunes and lyrics in the old Russian villages that still speak the old language and sing the old songs. Not that this is a traditional album in any way. In typical "heathen" style, the band reinterprets freely and inventively, pulling instruments from many Nordic and northern European countries, adding technology carefully but conspicuously, crafting an electric folk music that stays carefully out of the rock realm and holds true to the folk process. This album follows closely the powerful path created on Kaksi!, the first Hedningarna album to explore the deeper Finno-Ugric roots of the eastern border regions. It is less violent and aggressive, but also darker and more contemplative. The brief historical notes are sufficient, and all the songs are well translated, an important element for a recording that relies heavily on content that very few people (even modern Finns) could understand on their own. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hedningarna's best, July 11, 2000

By	"dzintars" (Riga, Latvia) - See all my reviews

It took me a while to warm up to it, since it was a bit slower and less edgy than other Hedingarna albums. But then after a few listens, I could not take it out of the player. This truly is marvelous music, with just the appropriate mix of folk and contemporary music. It gets even better when you sit down and read the words to the song. They are so touching in their simplicity, and at the same time quite funny or sad in places. I was glad to hear "the girls" back on this album, since their voices mix so melodiously, and complement "the boys'" music quite well. This is a great work of ethnomusicology, as well as of contemporary rock. I consider this to be one of my best buys of 1999. I highly recommend it.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Karelia Visa" Your Ticket To Ecstasy, August 29, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Hilliard, Ohio) - See all my reviews

Hedningarna is a superb act of unparalleled talent. In "Karelia Visa" Sanna Kurki-Suonio and Anita Lehtola present hyptnotic vocal performances that bring the richness, depth, and beauty of Karelian runosongs to the hungry ears of American listeners. "Karelia Visa" is a work that belongs in the collection of anyone who truly loves music. The songs "Mita Mina", "Ukkonen", and "Veli" are particularly noteworthy. Hedningarna proves that the wealth of one culture is best conveyed through the enriching process of cultural cooperation (Finnish + Swedish).

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Finnish feel, playful and spritely, October 7, 2003

By	Ulven (australia) - See all my reviews

As a child, Finland was an enigma to me.The little impression I did have, suggested it to be quite bland, and the people reserved.As I grew older, the icey lands of our planet's north built in me a sub-conscious awe.Now, its well and truly in my awareness -the cold, the isolation, the constant wind, and the vast intact wilderness.This band introduced me to the people and culture of Finland (And on other albums, Sweden).The playfulness of spirit lives well in rural Finland, and this album shows it up well.
Hedningarna are usually quite aggressive, using 'scratchy' and 'drone-like' instruments.The females of the band usually sing like witches (but with perfect pitch).On this album though, all is sweet and pristine.The (acoustic)instruments are clear, and spaced apart.The female singers are playful and child-like.The melodies are quite subtle, but aluring.Hedningarna's other albums feel very Swedish, even in the presence of the Finnish elements.But this one feels like Finland.Apart from the quality of creation, and some tell-tale Hedningarna traits, this album is totally different to anything they've done before.
"Beautiful culture plays here."