VA - Wizard Women Of The North [1999]

FOLK

VA - Wizard Women Of The North [1999]

In the Land of the Midnight Sun, when a woman needs to gather a scattered herd, she resorts to singing in the distinctive and far-reaching vocal style known as "kulning." It is that beckoning that starts Wizard Women of the North, a collection of leading Nordic women. Sylvan spirits and fjord-filling fog populate this ancient land in the mind. The distinctively talented and exotically styled female vocalists and instrumentalists on this album make that magical realm a reality. As for instruments, many of these musicians choose the violin, as do Hege Rimestad, Annbjorg Lien, Mari Eggen and Helene Hoye, and Susanne Lundeng. Their attraction to the bottom strings and droning double-stops is an exquisite contrast to the siren cries and cheerful, folk chorales that populate this album. Wizard Women of the North is an enchanting and unforgettable travelogue to this remote land of mystery. It is also fascinating to meet such familiar sounds as the Celtic musings of Rimestad's "Krishnas Kusine (Krishna's Cousin)." This potpourri is also an introduction to the rich and varied universe of Scandinavian recordings. Each track comes off another album, and the notes provide source information. The notes also include the fairy tale of the Wizard Woman of the North and the despair induced by long, hard winters. This goes a long way to putting into context a vibrant and varied assembly of folk music that so often veers to the sad and melancholy. (AllMusic review by Tom Schulte)

==========================================================

OR

===========================================================

Track lists

01 Susanne Rosenberg - Vallåtar Från Gammelboning (Herding Calls) 3:46

02 Tone Hulbækmo - Svevende Jord (Floating Earth) 5:33

03 Tallari - Miksi Ne Neijot (Why Do The Maidens...) 3:59

04 Susanne Lundeng - Havella (Old Squaw) 3:59

05 Hege Rimestad - Krishnas Kusine (Krishna's Cousin) 3:19

06 Tellu - Tuulet (The Winds) 3:04

07 Mari Eggen And Helene Høye - Ferdavals (Voyage Waltz) 2:37

08 Susanne Rosenberg - Anna Och Wilhelm (Sad Love Song) 3:11

09 Aurora Borealis - Ei Gåmol Vise (The Harp) 4:25

10 Åsne Sunniva Søreide - Huldrelokk (Wood Nymph Call) 3:11

11 Helene Høye - Gjetarhuving - Springleik (Shepherd's Call - Helene's Springar Dance) 2:57

12 Annbjørg Lien - Fønix (Phoenix) 4:15

13 Sinikka Langeland - Brudesang Fra Solør (Bridal Song From Solør , Norway) 2:59

14 Kirsten Bråten Berg - Heiemo Og Nykkjen (Heiemo And The Water Sprite) 5:03

15 Tellu - Manaus (Manaus: Word Of Incantation) 3:55

16 Hege Rimestad - Myrullmorgen (Rolling Mist) 1:49

17 Tone Hulbækmo - Hildring (Illusion) 3:14

18 Pernille Anker - Gjendines Bånlåt (Gjendine's Lullaby) 2:46

19 Annbjørg Lien - Myllargutens Brureslått (The Miller Boy's Bridal Tune) 2:46

=============================================================

=============================================================

VA - Arctic Paradise, Contemporary Finnish Folk Music [2001]

FOLK

VA - Arctic Paradise, Contemporary Finnish Folk Music [2001]

This is an addendum to the 1999 compilation Arctic Paradise, which featured 18 tracks by a variety of Finnish recording artists. While a few artists appear on both samplers like Wimme, Gjallarhorn, and Värttinä, Arctic Paradise: Finnish Folk Music 2001 introduces a predominantly new roster of performers. Prusikoukku, an exciting fiddle-driven, electric guitar, and pulsating rhythm folk-rock band from Kaustinen, provides the most rocking track in "Goblin," and Maija Karhinen's "Lemmen Käki" is a modern acoustic pop number with country leanings. The exotic sound of Gjallarhorn boasts a mesmerizing combination of tribal and contemporary elements. Accordionist Markku Lepisto's "Le Reve" is a French-derived tune with Celtic undertones. So obviously this collection not only accentuates the Scandinavian roots of Finnish music it also showcases the many ways in which outside influences are creatively woven into the fabric of Finland's music. (AllMusic review by Dave Sleger)

==========================================================

OR

===========================================================

Track list

01 Gjallarhorn - Dejelill och Lagerman 3:25

02 Markku Lepistö - Le Rêve 4:08

03 Wimme - Eallima Bárut / Waves of Life 4:09

04 Pekka Lehti With Timo Alakotila - Vainajalan Tango 3:07

05 Virpi Forsberg & Arja Kastinen - Pulsatilla 4:29

06 Värttinä - Äijö 4:22

07 Mr. Mäläskä - Maanitusta 2:41

08 Maija Karhinen - Lemmen Käki 3:16

09 Prusikoukku - Goblin 3:38

10 Arto Järvelä - Taklax Gee 2:03

11 Kimmo Pohjonen - Kalmukki 3:06

12 Pohjannaula - Kirjanpainaja 4:00

13 Me Naiset - Mieli Miehelle 4:51

14 Ramunder - Andersson och Holmström 3:19

15 Hannu Saha - Popotus 2:47

16 Slobo Horo - Džingo 2:57

17 Petri Hakala & Markku Lepistö - Kaukana Lännessä 5:37

18 Vilddas - Biegga 3:45

=============================================================

=============================================================

VA - Soundscape Of Finland [1997]

FOLK

VA - Soundscape Of Finland [1997]

Delve into the rich tapestry of Finnish folklore with this exclusive CD produced in limited editions, serving both as a promotional piece and an educational resource, from the Finnish Institute of Folk Music. Spanning a century, from 1920 to today, this collection is a treasure trove of auditory heritage from various corners of Finland. It features the haunting melodies of Karelian runic singing, a rare art form once widespread in regional hamlets, alongside lively polkas and ceremonial wedding marches. This anthology celebrates the diverse traditions and cultural expressions of Finland’s regions and communities.

 The audio quality reflects the authentic character of the recordings, ranging from historical archives to contemporary sessions. This compilation bridges the old with the new, showcasing the full spectrum of Finnish musical traditions with an array of styles, instruments, and unique sounds. It’s a collector’s item, offering a glimpse into the seldom-heard and hard-to-find gems of Finnish music. It is a remarkable collection, especially for someone who appreciates the convergence of history and melody. (B)

==========================================================

OR

===========================================================

Track list

01 Konsta Jylhä & Veli Valo - Hoppatahti 1:29

02 Pirnales - Häämarssi Akaasta 2:51

03 Yrjö Saarikoski - Iisakki Myllymäki°-°Polska 0:50

04 Loituma - Ievan polkka 2:46

05 Eino Tulikari - Hääpolska 2:19

06 Tallari - Polska efter Hultkläppen 2:43

07 Kustaa Järvinen & Siffer Kivisilta - Katrillin 2. kappale 0:42

08 MeNaiset - Emo neuvoi 4:53

09 Aapeli Hautanen - Riihipolkka 0:47

10 Pohjantahti - Haldi 3:07

11 Teppo Repo - Kevättunnelma 2:06

12 Salamakannel - Korpin marssi 4:02

13 Ampron prunni - Halsualainen alotus 2:13

14 Kaisu Försti - Rukkimestarin polska 1:10

15 Martti Pokela - Polun varrella 2:53

16 Erkki Metsäpelto & Aukusti Viitaniemi - Polska 1:15

17 Arthur Kylander - Kulkuri 3:42

18 Kiperä - Dallas 2:42

19 Mia Kalaniemi - Ellin polkka 3:04

20 Niekku - Yläsävelpolska 3:15

21 Marus Baltzar - Kesäiltana myöhään saavuin 1:47

22 Oskari Lumppio - Lyytin polkka 1:30

23 Helsinki Mandoliners - Mandoliners polkka 3:28

24 Aarnion sisarukset - Hämeen polkka 1:07

25 Tapani Varis - Metsäpelto d 3:18

26 Helsingin 2-rivisnaiset - Tsuiluikka 2:56

27 Optatus Raatikainen - Nyt alotan minä lauluain 1:21

28 Erkki Rankaviita & PinninPojat - Haravasta katkes pii 1:19

29 Väinö Kielinen - Syrjälän Kaappoon polska 1:06

30 Tellu - Tuulet 3:07

31 Tuulenkantajat - Arvon 2:09

=============================================================

=============================================================

VA - Nordic Roots 3, Northside Sampler [2001]

FOLK

VA - Nordic Roots 3, Northside Sampler [2001]

This is excellent music from a surprising direction: Scandinavia. Who would have thought that Scandinavians, those cool, collected, post-modern Northerners, would produce such vibrant and exciting sounds? Fans of "the Blues", Bluegrass, and Celtic music will enjoy this Nordic "root" music, which comes from the same cultural impetus, the desire to connect with a simpler and more satisfying past. This nostalgic search is of course impossible of success - "you can't step into the same river twice", as Hericleitus says - but it produces great music.

The mix of the traditional with the modern varies from group to group, but all are very talented musicians, all are worth listening to. My favorites are Vartinna, Gjallerhorn, Vasen, Ranarim, Hoven Droven, Hedningarna, and Sorten Muld. The sound engineering is superb, as would be expected from Scandinavian sound engineers. (Amazon)

==========================================================

ALL 

OR

ALL 

===========================================================

Track lists

01 Gjallarhorn - Suvetar (Goddess Of Spring) 5:14

02 Maria Kalaniemi & Aldargaz - Ahma 4:05

03 Wimme Saari - Bambumiehta (Bamboo Honey) 4:14

04 Väsen (With Harv) - Polska After Mats Berglund / Sold Or Sale  [Live] 5:05

05 Harv - Spaken (The Lever) 3:05

06 Aly Bain & Ale Möller - The Full Rigged Ship / The New Rigged Ship 3:07

07 Maria Kalaniemi & Sven Ahlbäck - Polska After Johan Erik Taklax 3:30

08 Hedningarna - Knarklåten (Bulldog)[Live] 5:01

09 Värttinä - Laiksa 4:04

10 Swåp - Seagull (Live) 4:01

11 Ranarim - Höga Berg Och Djupa Dalar (High Mountains And Low Valleys) [Live] 4:28

12 Nyckelharpa Orchestra - Storpolskan (The Big Polska) 3:31

13 Karen Tweed And Timo Alakotila - Riverside Aby 5:18

14 Garmarna - Viridissima Virga (Greenest Branch) 4:41

15 Hoven Droven - Malört 3:34

=============================================================

=============================================================

VA - Nordic Roots 2, Northside Sampler [1999]

FOLK

VA - Nordic Roots 2, Northside Sampler [1999]

This gorgeous CD has material both familiar and novel for lovers of contemporary folk music. The Finnish pieces are reminiscent of Native American chanting and Bulgarian choral music. Lovely melodies, transporting harmonies, eerie and powerful invocations.

Music from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland has magical qualities that are beyond word descriptions, as beautiful as the fjords and the night-time clear skies with falling stars, an Impressionistic painting as hard to describe as the Northern Lights. The female vocalists are enchanting like the Celts and Hungarians (& just as hard to describe, ancient languages with equally mysterious origins). There is violin music played on the hardanger fiddle which has sympathetic vibrating strings, that provide a drone, amazingly hypnotic and trance-like. The music is slightly familiar if you are acquainted with Appalachian fiddle music or bluegrass, add to it some Austrian waltzes, and an occasional Polish mazurka: then once-in-awhile give it a soft velvet feeling. The fact that much of it is over 100 years old, makes it true roots music, occasionally it is up-dated with an electrified sound amplifying the intensity and magical qualities ... sometimes flutes, other times a viola, the nyckelharpa, and other ancient Scandinavian instruments provide the intrigue and enchantment. Having heard "Nordic Roots" Volume 1 (& bought it), I looked forward to Volume 2. The best and most talented musical artists provide extraordinairy examples of this genre for an unbelievable price. Undoubtedly, the captivating musical sounds by these artists will hypnotize you into wanting a full CD by one or more of these musicians. Northside is truly providing us "food for the soul" and with gratitude!  (Amazon)

==========================================================

ALL 

OR

ALL 

===========================================================

Track lists

01 Boot - Vildhonung 2:52

02 Hedningarna - Mettsan Tytto 3:10

03 Swap - Schankheden-Terry Crehan's 3:03

04 Jpp - Antin Mikko 3:28

05 Rosenberg 7 - Min Brollopsdag 3:14

06 Troka - Kesaillan Tvist 2:21

07 Ale Moller - Jord Och Himmel 2:16

08 Vasen - Ploska 5:00

09 Garmarna - Vedergallningen 4:51

10 Sorten Muld - 2 Sostre 4:24

11 Annbjorg Lien - Loki 4:31

12 Sanna Kurki - Suonio 3:07

13 Wimme - Gierran 4:20

14 Loituma - Salaisia Kyyneleita 3:22

15 Varttina - Kyla Vuotti Uutta Kuuta 5:06

16 Bask - Polonaise From Sexdrega 2:25

17 Frifot - Jarven 3:50

18 Anon Egeland - Treskarens Vals 2:35

19 Sari & Mari Kaasinen - Me Kaymme Joulun Viettohon 3:07

20 Bukkene Bruse - Wedding March From Osterdalen 3:11

21 Groupa - Lavalek 4:11

22 Hoven Droven - Brekken 2:49

=============================================================

=============================================================

VA - Nordic Roots, A Northside Collection [1998]

FOLK

VA - Nordic Roots, A Northside Collection [1998]

In recent years, Northside Records has carved a unique niche as the American home of some of Scandinavia's finest folk and folk-rock artists. This compilation gives you 20 tracks by 15 of the brightest Northern Lights, including the Gothic, almost grind core rock of Hedningarna, winners of a Swedish Grammy for previous efforts, virtuosic fiddling and world percussion from Väsen, culture-clashing Celtic music from Swåp, a British-Swedish quartet, mutant swamp funk from Hoven Droven and the strangely compelling music of Tapani Varis's jews harp. As might be expected from people who spend half the year in frozen darkness, some of the tracks have a deeply melancholy feel, but the playing is always energetic enough to cast off a few rays of sunshine. --j. poet (Amazon)

What a fine introduction to Scandinavian folk and rock music this turned out to be. 

==========================================================

ALL 

OR

ALL 

===========================================================

Track lists

01 Väsen - 30-Års Jiggen (Thirty-Year Jig) 2:16

02 Hedningarna - Grodan / Widergrenen (Toadeater) 4:53

03 Groupa - Imeland 3:57

04 Chateau Neuf - Den Store Paipolsen (The Great Pie Pols) 3:46

05 Swåp - Red Jacket 4:50

06 Loituma - Eriskummainen Kantele (My Kantele) 3:41

07 Garmarna - En Gång Ska Han Gråta (One Day He'll Cry) 2:57

08 Väsen - Brudmarsch... / Roddare I Bärsärk (Wedding March / Rowers Go Berserk) 3:51

09 Hege Rimestad - Skinfakse (Delivering The Light) 3:52

10 Hedningarna - Räven (Foxwoman) 4:43

11 Wimme - Bieggajorri (Weathervane) 3:59

12 Tapani Varis - Fanitullen 2:10

13 Olov Johansson - Sjöankans Vals (Sea Duck's Waltz) 3:54

14 Hoven Droven - Skvadern (The Skvader) 2:57

15 Hedningarna - Bierdna (The Bear) 5:04

16 Wimme - Texas 3:12

17 Den Fule - Den Blå Slåtten / Ormslå (The Blue Tune / The Legless Lizard) 4:58

18 Troka - Klockar Aleksanteri 3:09

19 Triakel - Alla Gossar (All The Young Men) 3:09

20 Väsen - Långt Ner I Småland / Slängpolska (Way Down In Småland / Swingpolska) 6:19

=============================================================

=============================================================