Faroe Islands Leading Record Label exists
25 years
A review of a few cd's from their folk cd catalogue
Not more than 45.000 people live on the Faroe islands. These islands can be found on the map in the triangle Scotland, Norway Iceland. This year the Faroe islands own label Tutl exists 25 years. It was started in 1977 and still has the same ideology as 25 years ago. Tutl is owned entirely by the musicians, composers and other people who are involved in releasing music on the Faroe islands. The label focuses on Folk, Jazz, ethnic and rock but also other styles of music can be found in their catalogue. In this article/review you will get a short look into their catalogue. Especially into their folk and ethnic cd's of course.
The
main folk-bands from these islands were the different Spælimennir (folk-musicians)
groups. Already in 1977 the first Spælimennir group recorded their first album.
The group was called Spælimennir i Hoydølum and this first album contained music
from the Faroe islands but also from Sweden and Denmark and a few dances from
Scotland. On their second album Umafter which was published in 1978, they brightened
their horizon and included music from Iceland, Norway and Ireland. Their final
album was recorded live in 1983 and was called A ferd. Besides the name Spælimennir
i Hoydølum. Many members of this group also recorded albums under the name Spælimennir.
Same style and music from the same area but also self-written material. This
group still excists and will be performing at some festivals this summer. (as
soon as I know more I will let you know on the folkworld news-page)Their latest
cd Flõd & Fjøra dates from 1996. The group still has the same style but the
sound got much better. The traditional music is brought in a gentle way and
has a positive feeling. It has influence from different Nordic countries but
also from different music styles like jazz and classical music. You'll find
energetic dances next to sober piano music. Traditionals next to new traditionals
like the fantastic tune Konvulsionslat which is written by Hedningarna's Anders
Stake. Although Spælimennir's version is very different from the original, they
show that they have the fantasy to bring this tune in a total different atmosphere.
In the past there has been one other Spælimennir group which has different members
than the previous named groups. This Glatadu Spælimennir recorded one album
in 1982 called Gluggamynd. This album doesn't contain traditionals but new material
with folk influences. This record is a bit more adventures than the ones by
the other Spælimennir groups. A psycho touch, female vocals and interesting
musical arrangements. With all three the Spælimennir groups, the Faroe islands
prove that their folk scene has been very much alive during past and present.
For
most readers it will be more interesting to know what's happening in the present.
I already mentioned the last Spælimennir cd earlier but there is much more going
on. If we look at the last few years one name impresses me most; Eivør Pálsdóttir.
Her solo cd from 2000 (no title) is impressive. She recorded a few traditionals
but most songs on this cd are original.
Accompanied by guitar, contrabass and percussion only, Eivør impresses with
her clear and powerful voice. The cd has (like almost all folk cd's from the
Faroe islands) a soft jazz touch but most of all has a very own sound. Her name
also turns up on the cd of pianist/composer Kristian Blak & Ygdrassil called
Ygdrassil. This beautiful cd contains ice cold Nordic jazz music highly inspired
by the Nordic landscape. Most songs are traditionals with musical arrangements
of the band. It's a totally different approach of traditional music than I'm
used to and I enjoy this very much. The music is small but very intense. Eivør
Pálsdóttir sings like a ice-goddess straight to my heart. I'm far from a jazz
person but this kind of music I simply can't resist.
The third cd on which Eivør Pálsdóttir does the vocals is a six song EP by the
group Clickhaze. Very different music than the traditional style on the cd's
mentioned above. On this EP it's like the group wants to try a few different
styles. The first song Daylight has such a catchy, pop melody that this could
be a top ten hit if it was promoted the right way. Great is the song sorrig
og glæde which could be a Garmarna song. This traditional song is brought in
a dark and heavy way. Although not as balanced as Garmarna, this song shows
the potential of this group.
The
Tutl label also publishes co-operations between Faeroe musicians and musicians
from other countries. The cd Piniartut, for example, has Tellu Virkkalla from
Finland on vocal and other musicians from Finland and Greenland along. The cd
is a mixture of Nordic folk, throat singing and some experimental music. I love
the vocals by Tellu and this album has many strong moments although it's not
always easy to follow the composers ideas. Another co-operation is the group
Enekk. With their cd Fýra nætur fyri jól they bring original and traditional
music with a poppy sound. Besides the musicians from the Faroe Islands there
also play two Bulgarian folk musicians on this cd. Somehow the music doesn't
get to me. I hear some nice melodies but the vocals lack the essential touch
which makes music more than just nice music. The songs all have the same atmosphere,
I miss variation and a bit more depth into the music.
One of the best albums I heard on this label contains musicians such as Karen
Tweed, Ian Carr, Nanne Luders, Eskil Romme and Peter Uhrbrand. These international
companions just recently released a beautiful cd called Faerd. The cd contains
mostly Danish heroic ballads with Faroese melodies. It has fresh and modern
musical arrangements and listening to this cd is like reading an old travel
book. Strong vocals, smooth tunes from skilled musicians. This cd is essential
and should be in any serious folk collection.
If
you want to get an impression of the albums released on the Tutl label please
order the cd Tutl 2000 folk/ethnic. This cd contains 16 songs from even as much
artists. It gives a nice overview on the music published on the Faroe Islands
until 2000.
For people interested in Ethnic music the cd Alfagurt ljódar min tunga would
be more interesting. This cd contains examples of traditional vocal traditions
like the Kvædi, Skjaldur, Visa, Tattur and Kirkjussangur. In total 26 songs
of Ethnic music.
Tutl also released one of the first folk records ever from the Faroe Islands:
Harkalidid. This record was originally released in 1971 and shows the wonderful
vocal tradition which is very close to Scottish music. On this album you will
also hear Ian McCalman play.
Besides all the folk or folk influenced cd's mentioned in this article. People
who like jazz music should check their big jazz catalogue which contains some
nice works from composer/pianist Kristian Blak and other artists. Tutl also
released some rock music, check their webpage to buy cd's and get more information.
On www.tutl.com all above mentioned cd's can be ordered. It also contains more information about artists and music styles.
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