FolkWorld #49 11/2012

CD & DVD Reviews

Ralph Stövesandt "Die singende Säge"
GLM, 2012

www.singendesaege.de

This is a very interesting album by the German musician Ralph Stövesandt. He plays on the singing-saw, not the most common instrument or an instrument that sounds interesting enough to fill a solo album with. Stövesandt proves the opposite. With twelve tracks he amazes me with a variety of music and the most unexpected sounds and melodies. He plays the singing-saw for almost fifteen now, after many years of playing guitar and trombone. On this album he is backed by a fine collection of guest musicians including Quadro Nuevo. Playing original and classical theme’s beside a King crimson and Leonard Cohen composition. Each track has its own atmosphere and shows another aspect of the saw. From melancholy to mystic sounds, from sharp to pure softness. A wonderful project and a real ambassador for this rare instrument.
© Eelco Schilder


Ljodahått "Eg stend eg seddu"
Own label, 2012

www.ljodahatt.com

Ljodahått is a project formed by the Norwegian actor Magne Håvard Brekke. Together with an international group of musicians he recorded thirteen Norwegian poems, mainly from the 20th century, including work by Hauge and Ibsen. They are put on music by members of the project and together they form an amazing journey through music and poetry. Brekke has a fantastic, low voice and understands the art of putting the soul of a poem into his singing. It might remind you a bit of Cohen, although Brekke is easier to understand and has a deeper sound. His vocals form a nice contrast with the more airy other male vocals or the fragileness of the female vocalist. This is such an album that catches me from the first time I hear it and stays in my head for ever. Intriguing to hear how each song has its own character, from chanson, folk, acoustic-metal-a-like to jazzy pop and eighties keyboard sound. From theatrical to soberness and from a dark edge to bright sunshine. All different and it all matches perfectly. Each song has its own atmosphere and not only the lyrics, but also the instruments seem to tell a unique story. All of this in a wonderful hard cover booklet with drawings, lyrics in Norwegian, English, German and French. A wonderful project which I would love to see live on stage and will get a special place in my music collection.
© Eelco Schilder


Folke, Emma & Josefina "Kontakt"
Nutrad, 2011

Goodland Trio "Goodland Trio"
Kakafon records, 2011

www.folkeemmajosefina.se
www.goodlandtrio.com

Two debut albums by two young promising Swedish acoustic folk trios. First Folke, Emma & Josefina. Their first album is called Contact and contains fifteen traditional tunes, arranged by the band. On Nyckelharpa, violin, guitar, Swedish bagpipe and Härjedalsflute, they bring music from Västmansland. A nice debut with the beauty of the melodic music of this mid-Swedish region. Somehow that’s how I keep thinking about the album, even after the fifth time I listen to it. Well done, but also a bit predictable and the arrangements are kept simple which is nice, because it keeps this traditional atmosphere, but the music is also repeating it selves a bit towards the end of the album. I personally think a more adventures approach would have given the music a more outspoken sound and with that the trio a more own, unique identity. A nice, promising debut, but they also leave me with the feeling that they are capable of so much more.
The second debut album comes from the Goodland Trio. On saxophone, accordion and guitar the three musicians play nine original and one traditional tune. The band only started to play three years ago and impressed with a fresh album full of well played and beautiful tunes. They kept the soul of Swedish traditional music very well in their self composed pieces and added a nice own sound to it. Three fantastic musicians who know how to play their instruments and, most important, are capable of creating a well balanced band-sound together. They bring a haunting kind of tension in their music that, as often with folk music, exist of a small melodic pattern that keeps returning. By adding well placed differences in rhythms and instrumental works, they easily keep my attention for the whole album and slowly it’s turning into one of my favorite albums of the year.
© Eelco Schilder


Klaus Falschlunger "Indian Air"
Own label, 2012

www.sitarmusic.at

Falschunger is an Innsbruck born musician who studied Indian classical music in India. He is part of the Eurasia project, recorded with several other (world) musicians and this is his second solo album. Almost all tracks on this new album are original and together with Andreas Gilgenberg on clarinet and flute and Sani Kuncheu on percussion, Falschlunger recorded nine very nice compositions. He easily mixes influences from Indian music with jazz, Arabic, Asian and other world styles. Uncomplicated music that is very accessible and is best described as a kind of acoustic world-pop of good quality. Sometimes moody and dreamy, but also slightly rocking at moments. A very nice album that shows the sitar in a more Western orientated style and there for accessible for a wide audience worldwide.
© Eelco Schilder


Sigurd Brokke "Munnharpe"
Etnisk musikklubb, 2012

Sigurd Brokke is a much awarded Norwegian Munnharpe (Jew’s harp) player. This instrument is actually played more often in the Nordic countries and for lovers of the instrument this is a fantastic release. With information in both Norwegian and English, Brokke shows on this album the richness of the Norwegian tradition. With 39 tunes on two cd’s maybe a bit much to listen to in one turn, but be amazed about the possibilities this instrument has both rhythmic and melodic. On CD 1 he has invited Hardanger violinist Daniel Sanden-Wang to play a few tunes and that is not only a welcome variation, but also gives us the chance to hear how tunes from (more or less) the same tradition sound on two different instruments. A nice historical document.
© Eelco Schilder


James Alan Shelton "The Copper Creek Sessions"
Own label, 2012

www.jamesalanshelton.com

An album for finckerpicking freaks, this CD with two old albums on one CD by bluegrass guitarist James Alan Shelton. This is a reissue of work recorded in 1997 and 1999 and now available again. Together with a strong group of musicians Shelton shows his master quality on the guitar. Beautifully played, technically at a high level and well-chosen repertoire. It’s easy going acoustic Bluegrass/country/folk music from the US by one of the finest acoustic guitarists in the genre.
© Eelco Schilder


Uxu Kalhus "Extravagante"
Own label, 2012

www.myspace.com/uxukalhus

Uxu kalhus is a dynamic band from Portugal and this is the band new album. With singer Joana Margaça as lead singer and a mixture of traditional (more or less) and modern instruments, the musicians play in an almost traditional folk-rock setting. The songs breeze the atmosphere of Portugal, but also has influences from the rest of the European continent with in some songs a slightly Celtic touch. The band is at its best in the more heavy and progressive songs. At moments it sounds a bit too brave and too much like folk-rock from twenty years ago. It’s a bit like the band is in doubt what to choose, pleasing a big audience who like danceable, recognizable folk-rock, or following a bit more modern an experimental course. I prefer the last one and hope the band develops into a band that dares to break down walls and add a new dimension to Portuguese roots-rock.
© Eelco Schilder


Czeremszyna "Todar"
Own label, 2009

Article: Music from the Border

www.czeremszyna.pl

Available @www.serpent.pl

German CD Review

The band Czeremszyna celebrates its 10th anniversary next year. During these years they became a known folklore band this is their fifth CD release. Not a new project, the recordings are already three years old, but who cares, this is great music! The first three times Listened to the album I would never have guessed this is a Polish band. Most Polish music that I know come from different regions than the Podlasie region this band is coming from. The roots of the band lays in a small village only a few miles from the Belarus border and that can be heard in their music. On guitars, violin, balalaika, mandolin, accordion amongst other instruments and with nice male and female vocals, Czeremszyna brings music from a region where many cultural influences interweave with the Polish tradition. The most obvious influence is the Russian one, especially in the way of singing and melodic arrangements. But a song like Babka sounds more like a Polish mountain traditional and in others you can recognize Baltic, Ukrainian and some slight Balkan influences amongst others. The band creates a nice modern sound with some slight rock influences or even a bit psych touches. Lovely heavy male lead vocals sound great in contrast with the more airy female harmonies. The musicians sound energetic and clearly play with fun and passion. The recordings are of good quality and all of this comes in a beautiful hardboard gimmick cover. Wonderful album, great music!
© Eelco Schilder


Silvério Pessoa & La Talvera "Forroccitània"
Own label, 2012

German CD Review

www.talvera.org
www.silveriopessoa.com.br

This album is a jointed venture by the ambassadors of Occitan music, the band La Talvera and the Brazilian singer Silvério Pessoa. During the past few years I have reviewed a few of the Talvera albums and I like their music a lot. This new one is a live registration of an energetic concert in which the Brazil rhythms and songs mix nicely with the Occitan traditional tunes and songs. Many of the songs are known from earlier albums and the up-tempo and a bit unsubtle live performance must have been great to be part of, but it’s a bit to unsubtle for me at moments. Somehow I think a DVD would do this project more justice. Where some live albums are great to listen even when you were not there, this one is nice but most of all gives me the feeling I missed a great party in a fantastic ambience. But doesn’t always convince me with only the audio part available.
© Eelco Schilder


The Hut People "Picnic"
Fellside, 2012

www.thehutpeople.co.uk

Only two years ago I reviewed the debut album of this duo called The Hut People. They surprised me a lot with their well-played mix of styles, although I think I offended them a bit by writing that a tune they played was Irish, while it actually was a very famous English Morris dance tune (sorry guys).[42] The duo just continues the high quality level of their debut album. With great accordion play and ditto percussion (and a few nice electric bass parts by Alan Jones) they easily bring many traditions to life. A nice, bit introvert, version of Karen Tweed’s composition Horseshoe harbour is followed by the more uptempo traditional tune A travers la vitra in which the percussion is at its best. Very nice are the musicians own compositions, concerning the fact that One for lily is percussionist Gary Hammond’s first ever composition and Sam Pirt’s quality as composer in tracks such as Harry & Mila Set is proven. I wonder what will happen when this duo decides to focus more on composing… it might even get more interesting than their music already is. What can I say, Sam and Gary, known as the Hut People, did a great job again and I do hope they keep making music for many years to come.
© Eelco Schilder


Vardan Grigoryan "In the Shadow of the Song"
Felmay, 2012

www.vardangrigoryan.com

Grigoryan is an Armenian duduk player from a known family of musicians. He is known from his collaboration with the famous Arto Tuncboyacjyan and besides traditional music, loves playing jazz and other styles. I vaguely remember that I have seen him live on stage many years ago on the Music Meeting festival if I remember right. On this third solo album he plays eight new compositions on duduk and zurna. He is backed by a few percussionists on the dhol and daf and by two fellow duduk players. As I wrote in earlier reviews, I love the melancholic sound of the duduk. Grigoryan plays intriguing compositions in a soft, but sometimes complex, way. His music is not always easy and he forces the listener to concentrate and totally undergo his music. Wonderfully played, but absolutely not a beginners guide to duduk music.
© Eelco Schilder


Gundecha Brothers "Night Prayer"
Felmay, 2012

www.dhrupad.org

The Gundecha Brothers are master in the so called Dhrupad singing tradition from Northern India. On this album they sing Raga Malkauns, one of the most popular ragas in Hindustani classical music. These brothers are probably the best known singers of the genre, recorded many albums, awarded and performed worldwide. I’m far from an expert on Indian music, so all information mentioned above is known to the real lovers of this style. The beautiful, airy and fabulous performed vocals do intrigue me a lot. It’s an unknown style to me and I love discovering new traditions. But I also have to admit that I don’t have the discipline to keep listening to the long tracks in which subtle changes make the difference. So for me an intriguing album, but also a difficult one to really understand.
© Eelco Schilder


Warsaw Village Band "Nord"
Jaro, 2012

www.warsawvillageband.net

The Warsaw Village Band is such a band that I’m always curious how a new album would sound. I don’t think anybody hearing their music for the first time will forget that experience very soon. The exploding mixture of vocals, rhythms and instrumental parts are unique and you either like it or hate it. I happen to like it and was very surprised to find a new album by the band between my review CD’s. Their last album Infinity was nice, but somehow a more modest, less outspoken one. With Nord the musicians are back with sparkling music. On the album they build bridges between the Slavic and Nordic musical traditions. The two first songs, with guest appearance of Hedningarna, are a wonderful start with this haunting, typically Hedningarna sound mixed with the powerful voices of the singers. It’s only the start of an energetic album is which the group stays loyal to their typical sound, but also adds new vocal techniques. In the Hemp lullaby the singers show that even without the instrumental firework, they know how to bewitch the listeners. This might become one of my favorite all time Warsaw Village Band tracks, listen to the different vocal styles mixing into a lullaby that somehow gives me the feeling will lead to a nightmare instead of a sweet dream. The Warsaw Village Band shows with this album that they still belong at the top of the worldwide roots artist lists.
© Eelco Schilder


Ensemble Libertango "El Porteño"
Laika, 2012

Pablo Aslan Quintet "Piazzolla in Brooklyn"
Soundbrush, 2011

www.libertango.de
www.pabloaslan.com

Two tango albums in this review. Starting with the German quintet Ensemble libertango and their newest album El porteña. The band was founded sixteen years ago and this is their fourth album with tango music. Played in a more or less conventional line-up including accordion, piano, violin, viola, violoncello and double bass. Mainly Piazzolla compositions besides some from composers/musicians such as Emilio Balgarce and from the pianist/poet/composer Rosita Melo. A nice album that brings the tango like most of us probably know this beautiful style. Well played and brought with passion.
The second album comes from the USA and is recorded by the Pablo Aslan Quintet. Aslan is an awarded bass player who gathers the finest jazz and tango musicians around to bring his very own interpretation of Piazzolla compositions only. Aslan is a New York based, originally from Argentina, musician and with this album he started a very special project. It’s the quintet version of the 1959 Take me dancing album which was Piazzolla’s attempt to play a kind of jazz-tango but never got noticed. Now Pablo Aslan and his quintet take revenge with a well-played and intriguing version of the original compositions. It actually sounds really up to date and might be more interesting for those who like a bit free-jazz style than those who think Tango should be played in a conservative way. I think a great idea which worked out really well.
© Eelco Schilder


Dagefoer "Tender Breeze"
Blue pearls music, 2012

www.dagefoer.com

Recorded in Holland most legendary studios, the German quartet Dagefoer release a beautiful debut album. With Jamina Achour on lead vocals, accompanied by Hinrich Dagefoer on vocals, electric guitars and mandolin, Stefan Wulff (best known as one of the Ougenweide founders) on double bass and Dumisani Mabaso on percussion. Together with a fine group of guest musicians, this quartet brings a moody kind of acoustic folk-jazz. Mostly original material by Hinrich Dagefoer, but also a Brel and Dumont interpretation. Lovely vocals, easy-going instrumental works that are in perfect balance and great a more than pleasant overall sound. I like the way this band keeps the music small, no overload on sounds or ideas. Subtle melodies sound powerful in their simplicity. A recognizable sound, professionally played, perfectly balanced and lovely to listen and dream away.
© Eelco Schilder


Nils Kercher "Ancient Intimations live"
Own label, 2011

www.nilskercher.com

The German multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer Nils Kercher has a big interest in West-African music. He studied several traditional musics during visits to the African continent and since twenty years he performs his own music, deeply rooted in the West-African traditions and culture. On this double disc set he plays songs from his 2009 album Ancient intimations, live on stage. The DVD shows a part of a concert and three music videos and the CD ten live tracks. Together with five fellow musicians on instruments such as harmonium, percussion, balafon, violoncello and much more, Kercher creates a very recognizable African sound. His music is intimate, well played and has a spiritual atmosphere. His dreamy, almost bit romantic, interpretation of the traditions are turned into easy going music very suitable for a non-African audience and for people who do not know much about African music. A perfect album for a first acquaintance with this kind of music.
© Eelco Schilder


Dwayne Côté & Duane Andrews "The Empress"
Own label, 2012

www.dwayneandduane.com

This duo on guitar and violin plays music that is deeply rooted in the traditions of Newfoundland and Cape Breton. But also the gypsy-jazz style is deeply loved by this duo. Sometimes real Celtic tunes, on other moments a jazzy kind of acoustic folk. Played with fire, but a bit too unsubtle at moments to my personal taste. Maybe it’s my lack of experience with the style they play, but I like a more fluent way of playing. So visit the webpage and listen, you might completely disagree with me and love their playing style.
© Eelco Schilder


Maria Neckam "Unison"
Sunnyside, 2012

www.marianeckam.com

The New-York based singer-songwriter Maria Neckam has just released her third album called Unison. It’s her third full length album with her very own style of music. Neckam shows on this album to be a ‘free’artist, she improvises, mixes styles, experiment and each composition ends in a different way than the listener might expect. I like that, she is an adventures musician who clearly loves a kind of free-jazz style, sometimes suddenly sounds like a sweet late-night jazz club singer and only a minute later like an avant-garde storyteller, using every aspect of her voice. Where do you think you will be has this nice, ice cold Nordic jazz feeling that you usually only find in Norway or North Sweden. Neckham didn’t record an easy album (thankfully) but a beautiful listening experience that asks more from the listener that just put on the album and listen. I do hope she keeps on making this kind of wonderful music in her own style.
© Eelco Schilder


Alan Reid & Rob van Sante
"The Adventures of John Paul Jones"
Red sands, 2012

www.reidvansante.com

Two veterans in folk music joined together and recorded a concept album around the life of John Paul Jones, a Scottish naval commander from the 18th century. Together with a fine bunch of musicians the duo recorded fifteen self-composed songs telling the story of John Paul Jones. Their vocals, keyboards and guitars play a central role in the music. Nicely joined by accordion, mandolin, cello, flutes and much more. It’s a story telling album that invites to listen to the lyrics, but after five tracks also a bit too predictable. Very nice but a bit more spicy at moments would have been even nicer.
© Eelco Schilder


Andrea Kvintett "Andrea Kvintett"
Norcd, 2012

www.andrearydinberge.com

The Andrea Kvintett is a quintet formed around the Norwegian singer-songwriter Andrea Rydin Berge. This is the band’s first release and in 2013 Rydin Berge will release her first solo album. Her beautiful, crystal clear vocals are backed by the four jazz musicians in a professional way. Don’t expect a folk album, it’s beautiful vocal jazz with Rydin Berge not only singing but also playing the autoharp at moments. The songs sometimes sound like a real jazz standard, while in other tracks she chooses a more free approach. Nice for lover of strong female vocal-jazz, not really a folk thing.
© Eelco Schilder


Lionel Loueke "Heritage"
Blue note, 2012

www.lionelloueke.com

Lionel Loueke grew up in his homeland Benin in West Africa. Played African (pop) music for some years until he felt in love with jazz. Studied in France and the US and the rest is history. His latest album is called Heritage and is published by the famous blue note label. On this new album Loueke mixes his West African roots with smooth jazz sounds. It has a bigger connection with roots music than his former album and he succeeded in creating an easy-going mixture of styles. Relaxed, sometime almost laid back styled music that works perfectly in the evening hours after a long day work. It might be too much jazz orientated for lovers of the African traditions, but certainly a great album for lovers of the roots-jazz genre.
© Eelco Schilder


Sophie Cavez & Baltazar Montanaro "Escales"
Appel, 2012

www.duomontanarocavez.sitew.com

Two years after their very nice debut album, this Belgian duo on accordion and violin returns with a new album including ten new recordings. This new album is more of the same, well played acoustic folk. They mix Celtic with West/South European and world styles and do this in a very convincing way. This duo found the right balance between the instruments and fluently go from one melody to the other. So again a nice album, maybe a bit too much in the same vein as the debut CD, but nevertheless lovely to listen to.
© Eelco Schilder


Hedningarna "&"
Border music, 2012

www.hedningarna.net

Ten years after their last album totally unexpected the Swedish band Hedningarna returns with a new album called &. For me and for many others this band is still one of the best in Scandinavian progressive-folk music and their album Trä is often considered as a milestone in modern Nordic roots music. Each of their albums the band surprises with new styles, new creative ideas and unexpected compositions. Now they are back with a new project after being part of several other projects. Two of the original members are joined by the multi-instrumentalist Samuel Andersson and guest percussionist Valter Kinbom.
The start of the album is explosive. Tjuren is a track that enters the living room like a thunderstorm. A mixture of this typical Hedningarna heavy beats, screaming vocals and an attractive modern sound. This track is followed by the instrumental composition Morafjälls that even starts a bit heavier than the opening track and shows a more recognizable Hedningarna sound. With beats that reminds of their Hippjokk album, an overwhelming creation on the ancient string instruments including the hurdy gurdy/nyckelharpa etc. Trälöjden gives a little bit air. A nice, even bit uncomplicated song with strong instrumental intervals which of course ends in a little bit of chaos. In track four i>Vem är jeg they slow down even a bit more. This song has a late eighties/early nineties folk-pop atmosphere and they sound like a real well-behaved band. The description of these first four songs tells a bit the story of the whole album. Strong instrumental parts, vocally nice but more conservative compared to their previous output. Where earlier albums felt like a consistent combination of compositions, this one sounds more like a collection of songs. Most of them nice, sometimes fabulous, but occasionally also a bit predictable. For example Torget sounds a bit like a demo version of Vargtimmen from the Trä album.
An album that gives me mixed feelings. I played it a lot in the past few weeks and I love the energy, the overall atmosphere of the album. But on the other hand I miss a really outspoken sound and find it a bit too much a collection of songs. Fascinating, great to hear some new Hedningarna work and maybe it needs more time to grow, but for now I find this one of the lesser Hedningarna album, but seen the high quality of their previous albums it’s still at the top of Nordic prog-folk.
© Eelco Schilder


José Roux "Mescladis"
Aepem, 2012

www.joseroux.over-blog.com

A book with music including a CD by the known French bagpipe (cabrette) player José Roux. For this project he is joined by Paul Grollier on accordion, Philippe Parant on banjo and Lucien Pillot on hurdy gurdy. They play their versions of thirty six (traditional) instrumental compositions from the Auvergne, Quercy and Rouergue. Played in traditional style and in such a way that musicians who want to learn the tunes can play along by using the booklet if they like, or by listening and playing. Four masters at work, but don’t expect a modern or innovating approach. This is the good old fashioned style of traditional music
© Eelco Schilder


Ulträqäns "Ulträqäns"
Own label, 2011

www.myspace.com/ultraqans

New album from 2011 by Spanish band Ulträqäns. This quintet plays party folk-rock with Celtic, mediterranean, French and other world grooves. Their instrumental music is a blend of this with rock, metal, funky rhythms. Unsubtle dance music that brings every living room in a party atmosphere in no time. With only an occasional moment to breath, this band goes full speed ahead. Hard to hear the difference from many other bands in this vein, but an album with a positive vibe with a raw edge.
© Eelco Schilder


Renaud Lhoest "From Anastasia"
Home records, 2012

www.renaudlhoest.be

The Belgian composer and musician Renaud Lhoest shows his creative mastermind on this new album called From Anastasia. Ten years he has been working on the project and the result is a wonderful musical story captured in two suites, a history, a prolog and an epilog. Together with twelve musicians Lhoest plays a wonderful kind of chamber music with edges of folk, free jazz, rock, tango and so much more. His music is like an art house movie, close your eyes, listen and he paints pictures in your head. He let the musicians play full tenderness with sometimes a controlled outburst of emotion. The softness of the violin, the sparkling piano sound like light morning rain or the richness of the cello, it all sounds so wonderful and almost magical. Impossible to describe, this is an album that need to be listen. Put your mind into the hands of Lhoest and his musicians and let it flowed away on his musical waves. Wonderful!
© Eelco Schilder


Zhambäi Trio "Tambanavo"
Own label, 2012

www.zhambai.com

A Vancouver based trio with three experienced musicians in world music and specific in music from Zimbabwe. Besides vocals the musicians play a selection of traditional instruments like the Mbira, Marimba, Hosho, Shekere and the Ngoma. This is their debut album including mainly traditional songs and a few original ones. The trio chooses an easy going approach, their interpretation of the traditional songs are nice and the all over atmosphere is relaxed and almost a bit lounge. The music has a very accessible sound and the trio could easily build a bridge between the Zimbabwean music and more Western orientated ears.
© Eelco Schilder


Dead Combo "Lisboa Mulata"
Universal, 2011

www.deadcombo.net

The Dead Combo is a Portuguese duo founded in 2003 after being part of a contribution record. This is their fourth album and my first acquaintance with the band. Together with a few special guests the Dead Combo surprises me with a very own sound. Mixing Portuguese traditional elements with country-western elements, Latin and African grooves and psychedelic guitars. This album is like an old movie with shots of empty fields, wind blowing and lonely travelers playing melancholic tunes on their guitars. This is not music for the impatience listener, relax and let this calm, moody music take over your thoughts and imagine being such a lonely traveler somewhere in a Portuguese field. I think this album will be loved by guitar freaks, Western-soundtrack lovers and everybody else who likes good music.
© Eelco Schilder


Oratnitza "Oratnitza"
Fusion embassy, 2012

www.oratnitza.org

A debut album from Bulgaria by a band called Oratnitza. This band started as a collective of street musicians who joined together and formed a group who play Bulgarian folk mixed with aboriginal sounds, orthodox chanting and more modern styles such as dubstep and drum’n bass. This results in a more than promising debut. I like the combination of the traditional chanting and folk music elements with the modern rhythms a lot. The band has a natural sound which still has the original richness of the tradition but modern at the same time. They do this without adding an overdose of beats and electronic. It’s pure organic music and that works really well. Personally I think the additional didgeridoo wasn’t necessary. About ten years ago there was a real hype in European folk music, bands added the didgeridoo in Spanish dances to Lappish songs and only in a very few occasions it really added something extra. It happens on this album a few times that I think the didgeridoo is a nice addition to the music, but on other moments it disturbs me and keeps my focus away from the beautiful melodies and vocals. A more than promising debut from a band that wants to discover new possibilities in Bulgarian folk music. Hopefully they stay together and they have the guts to color outside the lines and add a whole new chapter to Bulgarian folk music history.
© Eelco Schilder


Alamaailman Vasarat "Valta"
Nordic notes, 2012

www.alamaailmanvasarat.com

Fifteen years ago this Finnish band was founded and now their latest album Valta is released and brings the band under my attention for the first time. This multi-talented, creative collective keeps searching for their creative limits and besides music and impressive live performances, even released an I-Phone game. On this latest album, marking their 15th anniversary, a slightly new line-up brings a fabulous mixture of styles. You will hear brass, rock, jazz mixed with Nordic folk elements, Asian sounds and Arabic melodies. This band tells stories with their music and creates the atmosphere of existing and non-existing countries. Songs are never what you think they are. A tune starting as a nice Balkan brass songs ends easily into a chaotic heavy jazz-rock with solo accordion parts. And after a heavy sounding, almost metal-like tune, a sunny and tropical fanfare runs through the studio. This album is a real treat, full of surprises, well played, positive energy and just fantastic music. Dutch tour please!!
© Eelco Schilder


Trio Tekke "Samas"
Own label, 2012

www.triotekke.com

Trio Tekke call themselves a neo-rebetika band. In very short time they became a kind of rewarded cult band playing. This is their second album called Samas and contains a mixture of traditional songs and original material. The band exists out of two Cypriots on tzouras, guitar and vocals and the Anglo-Chilean Colin Somervell on contrabass and vocals. Trio Tekke likes it the pure and natural way. Nice finger picking mixing traditional elements with a slice of jazz, oriental and acoustic rock. Vocals are a bit raw and uncontrolled at moments, but that’s part of the bands charm. A nice album with sometimes freaking good acoustic music.
© Eelco Schilder


John Moloney "Grace"
Own label, 2011

German CD Review

www.johnmoloneymusic.com

The Irish born and now US living John Moloney has released his debut album just before turning fifty. It’s called Grace and contains a collection of traditional church hymns and Irish ballads. He sings songs by Dominic Behan, Phil Coulter, traditionals etc. With a slight Americana touch he sings songs like Morning had broken, Danny Boy and Amazing Grace in a more conservative, middle-of-the-road style. A bit too sweet and mainstream for me, but I’m sure many who like a good Irish song now and then might like this album.
© Eelco Schilder


The Blues Broads "The Blues Broads"
Delta groove, 2012

www.thebluesbroads.com

The Blues Broads is a collaboration between four known female singers. Tracy Nelson, Dorothy Morrison, Angela Strehli and Annie Sampson join together and backed by a bass/drums/guitar/keyboard quartet they sing nice, pure and bit raw blues rock. Mainly original material with sometimes a nice hint of soul and gospel. This is a 2 disc set with one audio CD and a concert dvd. The CD recordings are from the same live concert. What you get is nice and easy going blues music by four singers who know how to sing this music. The overall recording sound is nice, with a few lesser moments. The DVD is nice but not spectacular, mainly interesting because of the songs that are not included on the audio only version.
© Eelco Schilder


Claes Ottelid "Alonso’s Tune"
Euterpe musica, 2012

www.claes.ottelid.se

Claes Ottelid is a Swedish guitarist/composer who plays traditional folk music on guitar. This is his second album and he is backed by some of Swedish finest folk musicians including Mats Eden and Dan “Gisen”Malmqvist. On the album eighteen compositions, both traditional and self-composed by Ottelid. His sparkling finger-picking style is absolutely wonderful. He gives another dimension to the Swedish folk tunes that are often known as violin pieces. A beautiful example is Trollrikepolska, a tender duet with the soft clarinet sound of Malmqvist. But also the newly written compositions have this same ancient, sometimes almost classical, vibe. Compliments for the really well-placed and gentle percussion by Stephan Jarl. He really supports the guitar in a perfect way and brings extra character to many of the tunes. Ottelid recorded a beautiful album, both suitable for lovers of Swedish folk and finger-picking freaks all over the world.
© Eelco Schilder



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