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Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish)
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Subject: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Peg Date: 15 Jan 01 - 12:15 PM I thought that other thread was getting a bit long. Sorry but I do not know how to link to the previous thread (I guess I could find it on the html thread if no one comes on to do it for me). Anyway, I am jealous of those of you who had Frifrot in your area! They came to Portland Maine but that is not too close to me either... The band Swap (two Scandinavian, two British musicians) is playing at Johnny D's in Somerville in April, so I will definitely be there! Anyone familiar with them? I have been istening to Garmarna a lot lately (Gods Musicians and Vengeance) and am always stunned at how amazing they are; and Emma's voice: indescribable! I was thrilled I got to meet the band and talk briefly with the boys and Emma when they were in Boston (did a short interview with her for the Boston Phoenix). I wasn't sure if I had mentioned that already on this thread...also, since I met them at a small publicity party one night (they played a few songs to a few people; the spread was amazing, Swedish cuisine and vodka drinks, sponsored by The Scandinavian Channel)and then at the club they were playing the next night, I gave Emma a tape of The Secret of Roan Inish soundtrack (we had talked of mythology in songs and discussed the selkie legend) and also a CD I did with a group years ago. She emailed me later to thank me and to say she was listening to it ("Now you sing a cappella in my stereo; beautiful.") They were wonderfully approachable but I am sure at large venues etc. it is not always feasible to meet them. But if any of you ever get the chance do try and talk with them. very down to earth |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 15 Jan 01 - 01:09 PM Good idea, Peg. It WAS getting a bit long, and since Finnish music only made up like 40% of the conversation at the 'Finnish' thread, this is probably more appropriate. Swåp is really good. I saw them play at the Nordic Roots Fesival last year, and I was really impressed (even though I had lousy seats and had to sit next to an overly-critical jackass). I think they're playing this year's NRF, too. You're right, Peg, about how down to Earth Garmarna is. The first time I saw Stefan and Rickard off-stage was at the Cedar Cultural Centre's lovely men's room. For some reason, I thought that was pretty damned cool when I was like 20. If you like interviewing musicians, I bet you'd like the NRF (Yeah, I'm going to babble about the Nordic Roots Festival for the 300th time this year...). Nordic musicians everywhere: in the lobby, in the audience, and on the stage, of course (and the restrooms). Plus, they all stay at the Holiday Inn up the street, so you can hardly walk down the sidewalk without running into one of them. Aaagh, I can't wait 'til April. I've got my Festival Passes ordered already. >:) ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 15 Jan 01 - 01:16 PM Acouple of links to (and from) the last thread... The 'Mostly finnish music' thread. NorthSide Records Digelius Music ---Lepus Rex
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 15 Jan 01 - 04:27 PM Um, is this it, Deckman (from the old thread)? : JUOKSE SINÄ HUMMA Juokse sinä humma kun tuo taivas on niin tumma ja taival on pitkänlainen. Eihän se tyttö minun kyytihini tullut kun olen poika hurjanlainen. "Hummani hei, hummani hei! Huputiti hummani hei!" Juokse sinä humma kun tuo taivas on niin tumma ja kahden tässä hiljaa mennään. Humma on pojalla ainoa aarre ja sellaista ei ole kellään. "Hummani hei..." ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Deckman Date: 15 Jan 01 - 05:14 PM YIPPEE, that's it! How about the last two verses, and an English translation, if possible. Thanks muchly, Bob Nelson |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Peg Date: 15 Jan 01 - 08:22 PM thanks for the links, Lepus. I would LOVE to go to Nordic Roots! When is it? *Maybe* I can get the Phoenix to pay for it if I write about it...would love to find a way to go!
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: rangeroger Date: 15 Jan 01 - 11:48 PM Just read the Finnish thread and this one tonight.Got out a CD that I've had for a couple of years."The Sunny North", David Lindley and Henry Kaiser in Norway. Shanachie 64057. The only group I recognize from past postings is Chateau Neuf Spelemannslag, but it is all good music. I will have to look for some of the others you all have been talking about. rr |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 16 Jan 01 - 12:56 PM Deckman, that was the longest version I could find, and I don't know Finnish... There's a couple of people here who do, though (jets and AKS ???). Peg, the Nordic Roots Festival is April 19-22, this year. You've got a cool job, heh. RR, that's a really good cd. There's a second one, too, if you can find it. ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: jets Date: 16 Jan 01 - 05:14 PM I realy do not know anything about Finnish music other than how to play it. And I do play it only because I enjoy the sound of the music itself,I leave the lyrics and the history of the music to others. |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: AKS Date: 17 Jan 01 - 02:23 AM Here you are:
Juokse sinä humma
Juokse sinä humma kun tuo taivas on niin tumma
Juokse sinä humma kun tuo taivas on niin tumma
Juokse sinä humma kun tuo taivas on niin tumma
Juokse sinä humma kun tuo taivas on niin tumma
Juokse sinä humma kun tuo taivas on niin tumma In English it goes like:
Run, thou horsey
Run my hoss because that sky's so dark
Run ...
Run ...
Run ...
Run ... I'm not absolutely certain about the sequence of the verses, but it does not make much difference and the last one's on the correct spot, anyway. The author of the song, Tapio Rautavaara was a famous sportsman (Olympic Gold in London -48, javelin, eg), and well-loved singer-entertainer and film actor in post war Finland until his death in the seventies (cerebral hemorrhage after falling on the floor in a swimming pool - and not diagnosed nor treated correctly!). He admitted that "the small slices of bread" refer to the years after the wars when he and a his accompanist(s) were travelling around the country and making their living as performing artists, in circumstances when there was a shortage of everything - except audience. AKS ps I think someone mentioned earlier us Finns being typically red-haired! I'd like to correct that: a stereotype Finn would be rather a fair one, not especially blond nor very dark;-) |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Dave the Gnome Date: 17 Jan 01 - 04:22 AM I didn't take much notice of the Finnish thread I'm afraid as I don't know any Finnish music. Perhaps I should put that right! I do like some Scandanavian stuff. I have an album by Danish Dia Delight with Karl-Eric Lingard-Jenson (sp?) and think it is brilliant. Anyone got any other recommendations which may be easlily available in the UK? PM me if poss. Cheers Dave the Gnome |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Deckman Date: 17 Jan 01 - 11:54 PM To" "AKS" who ever you are! Thank you (kittos) very, very much. I learned this song when I was 18 (and I no longer am 18) from a beautiful girl named Nancy. When I sing it today, I remember the passion she expressed in the song, and the passion I felt for her. CHEERS! |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Deckman Date: 17 Jan 01 - 11:57 PM By the way, FINNS are NOT Scandinavian ... we are NORDIC. |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Peg Date: 18 Jan 01 - 01:58 AM Thanks for clearing that up, Deckman. I have always wiondered about it. So who is Scandinavian? Danes and Swedes? |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: AKS Date: 18 Jan 01 - 02:27 AM Ole hyvä, Deckman (Bob), any time! And you're quite right about Finland not being a part of Scandinavia. To be precise terms like 'Fenno-Scandia' (geographic) or 'Nordic Countries' (geo-political) should be used instead (not that it matters much for me though, the same globe you know :).
reg's |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: AKS Date: 18 Jan 01 - 03:33 AM Well, Peg, to be geografically accurate, even the Danes aren't; only the Swedes and the Norwegians live in the Scandinavian Peninsula. But then again, I think it could be agreed that, with Finns and Sami excluded, the Nordic people (Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic) can be called Scandinavians (cf the Scandinavian group of Germanic languages). AKS |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: GUEST,Angun Date: 18 Jan 01 - 10:33 AM Hi, I haven't read the Finnish thread yet, but I thought I should join in here. Peg, Can you give me some information about Garmarna? I heard Triakel on a festival here in Norway a couple of years ago, and I belive Emma(sorry, forgot her last name) sings in both. Angun
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 18 Jan 01 - 05:17 PM AKS, just thinking about what you said about red hair. My roomate comes from a Finnish family, and she and her late father have/had red hair. Most of her family is either blonde or brunette, and her grandparents always admired her red hair. ("When are you going to meet a nice red-haired Finnish boy?" ... "When are you going to give me red-haired grandchildren?") Like you said, red hair isn't all that common among Finns. But how uncommon is it? And is it considered to be an attractive trait in Finland? Sort of lame, general questions, but I'm curious. :) ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 18 Apr 01 - 06:02 PM Well, the Nordic Roots Festival starts tomorrow in Mpls. with the Nyckelharpa Orchestra and Groupa. Anyone else around here going (besides me)? ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Margaret V Date: 18 Apr 01 - 08:08 PM While you are enjoying the festival, please think of your forlorn pals on the East Coast who will be wishing they were there to join you! Margaret |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: GUEST,Sam Pirt Date: 19 Apr 01 - 03:47 PM Finnish / Scandinavian music is excellent, I play quite a lot of it now and listen to loads of it. Maria Kalenimi, Timo Acotola, JPP, Troka, Piranales, Chateau Neuf Spelmannslag, marku Lispo the list goes on. SWAP are excellent. I am a good friend of karen Tweed and Ian carr as I got lessons from her a couple of years back. It is also through her and going to Falun that I also got to know Karina and Ola. Say hi to SWAP and Chateau Neuf (as I stood in for there accordionist when they were playing in the UK) for me at the festival. I would LOVE to be there!!! Cheers, Sam |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 19 Apr 01 - 04:15 PM Margaret: Of course. :) It's kind of nice when living in Minnesota pays off. The only other benefit I get for living here here is the ability to say "I don't live in Wisconsin." Sam: Cool. Did you hear that Karen Tweed and Timo Alakotila have an album together that's coming out? (Maybe it's out over there already...) They played together at last years NRF, which I really enjoyed, so I'm looking forward to it. Chateau Neuf won't be there this year, unfortunately, but if I run into anyone from Swåp, I'll pass on your message. Is your last name pronounced just the way it looks? :) ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Margaret V Date: 26 Apr 01 - 08:27 AM Well, Lepus, come on, don't hold out on us! How was it? Or is it still going on...? Margaret |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Dalloch Date: 26 Apr 01 - 09:15 AM Any one heard of Gjallarhorn? There are very good Soumi-svenski group thats been around since the mid 90's. Just curious as I always thought they were quite big, but I havent seen any mention of them. whos knows? I'm new! Dalloch |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Wavestar Date: 26 Apr 01 - 10:08 AM Ah hah! Got you, Dalloch! I knew you'd show up and join eventually... just kept dropping the Scandinavian bait. Hee hee! -J |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: GUEST,Sam Pirt Date: 26 Apr 01 - 12:06 PM Lepus Rex, Ye I have it its a wonderful album. Cheers, Sam |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Margaret V Date: 26 Apr 01 - 12:27 PM Hello, Dalloch, and a big welcome aboard (good job, Wavestar!). There are only a few references to Gjallarhorn on the previous Finnish music thread (make sure to read through that, there's a link to it in the third post of this thread), so I guess you'll have to tell us more about them and what it is you like about them! Margaret |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 27 Apr 01 - 03:02 AM Heh, no, Margaret... Been over since Sunday. I've been recovering. :) I had a great time. (my roomate had a great time, also, for at least half of the time) I missed three of the shows. Well, more like 2 and 7/8 of the shows. Most of the shows were at the Cedar Cultural Centre, which is a great place to see folk music in Minneapolis. Like last year, the NRF was emceed by Nick Lethert. I look forward to his monologues almost as much as I do the music, and I hope he'll do it again next year. (If there IS a next year...) The Scandinavian Channel donated some padded seats for the show (the usual Cedar seats are metal/plastic folding chairs), which were nice but too narrow. These were reserved for festival pass holders. Nyah-nyah. (It wasn't that harsh... Non-pass folks could claim the empty seats after the pass holders took theirs) As usual, Indian food was served.......(yum) OK, I'm REALLY bad at reviews, especially the music parts, so I'll just write a few thoughts about each show... So here's more than you wanted to know. Skip it, if it gets boring...:) Thursday, the Nyckelharpa Orchestra and Groupa--- NHO was great. My seats were in the front row, but weren't the best (the seating is open at all NRF events, and pass holders get in 15 minutes early to choose their seats), so we spent half the show looking at the very tall Olav Johansson's back. They explained the history of most of the tunes they played, as well as the life story of Byss-Calle, the great nyckelharpa player/composer. I love the sound of the nyckelharpa, and they played several different types during the show. Groupa, from Sweden, was next, after the intermission (same lousy seats). Their recordings had never really appealed to me all that much, for some reason, but I really did enjoy them live. Sofia Karlsson has a beautiful voice, and Terje Isungset performed some really cool/bizarre drum, jew's harp, bundles of wooden sticks (?), animal horn, etc. solos. And Mats Edén had really cool leather pants! Friday, there was a Nordic dance in the afternoon. Skipped it. I don't dance. :) I overslept, anyway, and since I would have been late for the Hurdy Gurdy Project's 7pm show (yeah, overslept THAT late), I decided I'd just go to their midnight show. Ranarim and Hoven Droven played that evening, too. Ranarim, from Sweden, was good. I hadn't heard them much before that night. Ulrika Bodén and Sofia Sandén I had seen last year with Rosenberg 7, and they have very nice voices. I actually don't remember this show very well... I was still tired. (lazy bastard) I woke up for Hoven Droven, though. This is one of my favourite bands, and I'd missed every other show they'd played locally over the years, so this was something I was looking forward to. This was a great show. They play very loud folk-metal, and my seats got better as some other concert-goers with more sensitive ears bailed out before the show began. (I'm obsessed with good seats, aren't I?) Ulrika and Sofia from Ranarim joined them for a few songs, too. After that, we headed up Cedar Avenue to the Southern Theater on Washington Ave. to see the Hurdy Gurdy Project. First, the Southern is a REALLY cool building, and they improved the seats since the last time I was there (still too narrow, though...). Like I said, I had skipped the earlier show, which my festival pass would have gotten me into. The midnight show, however, was EXTRA: An extremely lame $36 for two tickets. I was pissed off, but the show was worth it. The HGP is Stefan Brisland-Ferner of Garmarna and Totte Mattsson of Hedningarna. Electronic music with hurdy gurdies. Very hard to describe, and EXCELLENT. I wish I'd have been there at the early show as well, and I hope they do more together. Saturday, I was going to go to the jew's harp workshop, but I was too poor after the HGP show, so I skipped it. Maria Kalaniemi played in the afternoon, and Ellika Frisell, Swåp, and Hednigarna played that evening. Before the show, I was annoyed by the actions of a so-called "VIP", who had reserved two of the front seats with her jacket for some other pass-holders before the doors opened, which I thought was unfair to those who had been waiting in line for an hour. (though I got better seats than those reserved by the "VIP") I complained, blah, blah, blah. Phil the usher (üsher!) is a patient man. :) Maria Kalaniemi (with Aldargaz) was preceded by a really cool multi-national jew's harp band made up of Tapani Varis of Aldargaz, Daniel Sanden-Warg of Harv, Terje Isungset of Groupa, and Steinar Ofsdal of Bukkene Bruse. Maria and Aldargaz's show was beautiful. I've been a fan of hers for a long time, as has my roomate, so this was one of the highlights of the NRF for us. We were seated directly in front of Maria, and watching her play her accordion was a real treat. The rest of the band was great, too, of course. Three of them make up the Helsinki Mandoliners, and the rest of the band left the stage as they played a tune. (Which reminds me: the HMers are playing a show here on the 29th, I think...) Karen Tweed got on stage for one song (with the whole group, not just the HMers), too. I skipped Ellika Frisell (at the Southern) and got in line for the Swåp/Hedningarna show two hours early. Same great seats as we had in the afternoon, so I was happy. Swåp played last year's NRF, so I knew this was going to be good, already. (Sorry, Sam... Didn't catch them offstage to pass along your message.) They WERE very good, and very funny, as well. Karen Tweed had her hair in a very Björkish style, with tiny pigtails all over, which she said was a result of her layover in Iceland. Wonderful Celticised Nordic music and Nordicised Celtic music. No idea if those are proper words. :) Another of my favourite shows at the NRF. (Did you get to see them in Somerville, Peg?) Hedningarna was without their Finnish vocalists, and had a new drummer since the last time I saw them. I miss Björn Tollin, but the new kid (I forget his name) did a fine job. I missed Anita Lehtola and Liisa Matveinen, as well, but it was still a really good show. Not much else to say... They rock. >:) On Sunday, it was Harv and Bukkene Bruse in the afternoon, and Värttinä closing the NRF in the evening. Cameramen were everywhere tonight, which is good and bad, I suppose. (they blocked some audience members' views) I attended the NRF alone, today. My roomate doesn't care for Annbjørg Lien or Värttinä, so she stayed home. I only saw the last few minutes of Harv... I overslept, again, and I arrived during the encore. But I needed the sleep. They have a guitarist now. They were pretty good last year. That's all. I managed to get great seats for Bukkene Bruse, even though I was so late. (Thanks, Bill, Corby (?), and that lady with the VIP pass who took off early... ;) ) This was the ONLY Norwegian band at the NRF this year. Many, many, many people snapping photos of Annbjørg Lien. I thought that Bjørn Ole Rasch's electric keyboards, which were generally tasteful, were sometimes distracting, as the material was more traditional than Annbjørg Lien's solo stuff. (Bjørn plays in both groups) The music was great, and I especially enjoyed Arve Moen Bergset's singing. I came back that evening for Värttinä (second in line, great seats, heh). They're one of the first "Nordic" bands that I started listening to back in the early 90s. I'd seen them only once, 4 or 5 years ago. That was the show that turned my then-girlfriend (now-roomate) into an un-fan of this group. My favourite Värttinä albums have always been Oi Dai, Seleniko, and Aitara. Before and after this period, I like them a bit less, but still enough to go to their shows. Since I'd seen them last, they had added Susan Aho and Johanna Virtanen as singers, joining original Värttinä singers Mari Kaasinen and Kirsi Kähkönen. (I do miss Sirpa Reiman...) It was a good show. They played some of their older songs, which I liked. For most of the show, the girls were up front, singing and dancing, and pretty much totally obscuring most of the musicians behind them. But they did get off the stage during the instrumentals, making the musicians visible, which was nice. Not that I don't like to see girls dancing. Wait, that sounds sort of creepy. Never mind. This wasn't my favourite show of the weekend, but it was really good. A nice ending to a great weekend. OK, I'm done. Buy cds from North Side. Goodnight... ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Margaret V Date: 27 Apr 01 - 09:34 AM WOW! I'm going to have to read through your post a few more times to take it all in, Rabbit, but it sounds like a fantastic time... it never occurred to me that there would be a midnight hurdy-gurdy concert; that sounds like too much fun! Margaret |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Dalloch Date: 30 Apr 01 - 10:16 AM Gjallarhorn!! Ok, I suggest visiting there web page, www.gjallarhorn.com If it won't melt your modem have a look at the videos, partculary 'Suvetar II' I love them because they have a very clear and distinct sound, and ahve a fair bit of originality, using tried and tested methods. The are all accoutic, (up till now!) but you would not think so to listen to them. Also, they represtent an intresting culture, the finland-Swedes, as many of there songs are form the South and west of Finland. enough form me! go look at the web page!! buy some albums!! Dalloch |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: GUEST,Margaret V at work Date: 30 Apr 01 - 10:51 AM Thanks, Dalloch, good description! I willcertainly visit their web-site. Margaret |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 02 May 01 - 05:29 PM I saw Gjallarhorn in February (at the Cedar Cultural Centre... Say, can I get a free ticket, now? :), which was the first time I'd heard them. You're right, Dalloch, REALLY good band. I had avoided their first cd, Ranarop, partly because something about the cover made me think of new-agey Celtic-y synthesizer stuff, and I never even bothered to pick it up. Then, after I actually read/heard about the band, I was turned off by their use of the didjeridu (spell it yerself), which I've heard abused way too often by other performers. So I didn't hear them 'til Sjofn came out in the US. (on NorthSide Records... Say, can I get a free cd now? :) Which means that for more than two years, I was a complete, Gjallarhorn-less, idiot. I was wrong about the didjeridu (and the Ranarop cd cover, which is actually prety cool). Perfect for this music. I'm not sure what to compare them to... Sort of like a more organic-sounding Garmarna? Anyways, don't be an idiot (like me!): buy the albums. ;) Also, welcome to the Mudcat, Dalloch, and especially, welcome to this thread. These threads (this one and it's parent) were started by andy mööer almost a year ago, now, and have been moving along slowly ever since. With new blood, maybe we'll make it to number 3 in less than 6 months? :) ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Dalloch Date: 02 May 01 - 07:24 PM I lived in Finland for about six months ( I so miss that place!) about two years ago, so I got a feel for Nordic music then. Nordic music is blessed with some extreamly good bands. Hedingarna, ( have they split up?) are a good example. No two of the albums sound the same, though they always use the same 'frame'. The same with Gjallarhorn. I think that the digi goes well in Nordic music as it can be right in threr along with more traditinal Nordic instuments. In celtic music i only think that Dougie Maclean has made good use of the digi, he uses it enough, though has not relied on it. It does ted to get overused in some other 'Celtic/world' music. I think anyway, I ramble! Glad you've got into Gjallarhorn!! Thanks for the welcome one and all!! |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 02 May 01 - 08:26 PM Dalloch, nope, Hedningarna's still together. Like I said above, I saw them at the Nordic Roots Festival in Minneapolis last month (Say, do I get a free NRF 2002 festival pass, now?:), but Björn Tollin has apparently left the band, and Liisa Matveinen and Anita Lehtola weren't there. (In other words, it was an instrumental show) Anyways, they added Magnus Stinnerbom on octave violin in, I think, 2000, and they have a new drummer. A young guy, I don't know his name. So from the original lineup, it's only Totte and Anders left. (Which would mean Björn left, but I said that already, didn't I?) :) ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Dalloch Date: 03 May 01 - 06:31 AM Thanks! I was wondering what had happened to them. I hate to say it, but without the girls and Bjorn, i dont think they'll be anywher near as good. By their own standards. I could be very wrong! Dalloch
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 04 May 01 - 01:54 AM Well, they are still good, but it really is different without Björn. I think (hope) that the girls are still with them, but just didn't participate in this tour... ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: Vocal Traditions Night in NYC From: Suffet Date: 02 Feb 02 - 11:50 AM New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club Folk Music Society of New York, Inc. 450 7th Avenue #972 New York, NY 10123 (212) 563-4099 Website: http://www.folkmusicny.org From: Stephen L. Suffet, Publicity Chairpeson PRESS RELEASE Contact for this event: Evy Mayer, (718) 549-1344 after 11 AM only. For immediate release on or after February 1, 2002: New York Pinewoods presents Vocal Traditions Night at Advent Lutheran Church in New York City, March 15, 2002. Series concert features singers from Scandinavian and African-American traditions. New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club will present Vocal Traditions Night at the Advent Lutheran Church, Broadway and West 93rd Street in New York City, on Friday evening, March 15, 2002. The show features two New England based vocal ensembles, Stämbandet and Nzinga's Daughters, and begins at 8 PM sharp. This event is one in a series of six concerts per year presented by New York Pinewoods and is free to club members. General public admission is $18. Seniors citizens and students pay only $10 each. Children's admission is just $6. For further information the public can call Evy Mayer at (718) 549-1344 after 11 AM. Hailing from Massachusetts, Stämbandet's mission is to help preserve and foster the rich choral heritage of Scandinavia by presenting traditional vocal music from the Middle Ages to the present, performed in the native languages of Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic, Danish, and Finnish. Stämbandet often breaks into six- and seven-part harmonies, sung in three languages. Stämbandet also performs trall, where singers imitate fiddlers playing dance music. Connecticut based Nzinga's Daughters will take you on a musical voyage from slavery to freedom with traditional African songs, a cappella plantation songs (spirituals), and stories. They will show you how enslaved blacks, free blacks, and white abolitionists created secret codes, signs, and signals, committed them to memory, and passed them by word of mouth, leading to the Underground Railroad. They also perform Freedom Songs from the 1960s, nostalgic tunes, R&B, and rap. The Advent Lutheran Church is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The closest subway stop is 96th Street on the 1, 2. 3. and 9 (Broadway) lines. [end] |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 04 Feb 02 - 09:24 PM Refresh and stuff. Oh, and for anyone who's interested: Life no longer sucks, because the Nordic Roots Festival 2002 in Minneapolis has been (re)scheduled for September 20th-22nd this year, again at the Cedar Cultural Centre. Doesn't say who's playing, yet, but sure to be swell. ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 12 Aug 02 - 06:56 PM Well, somone mentioned it last week in another thread (and I did, too, last February), I think, but I'll do it here again, in my favourite thread(s): the 4th Annual Nordic Roots Festival is happening September 20-22 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It'll be somewhat smaller and less "star-studded" than previous NRFs, but they've got Garmarna and the Hurdy Gurdy Project, either of which alone would be worth the price of the festival pass ($90). :) Follow the links in my Feb. post above if you're interested. ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Peg Date: 12 Aug 02 - 11:15 PM good to know Garmarna is playing, maybe they can be booked to play Boston while they are in the country! Yippee! a great band and very nice in person.
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 25 Sep 02 - 04:39 AM Not terribly exciting! Not what you were hoping for! You didn't ask for it! You won't enjoy it! But since there's no-one else to do it, here it is: My review of the Fourth Annual Nordic Roots Festival! You lucky bastards, you. So, I went to the NRF this weekend. It was a smaller than usual festival this year, and all the concerts were at the Cedar Cultural Center on the West Bank. Like last year, I bought a festival pass, which (usually) got me into all the concerts 15 minutes before the general public. I had the same great seat for every concert, right up front and on the aisle. Getting that seat meant that I arrived sometimes more than three hours early to wait in line, but it was worth it. The first "concert," on Friday, was a Nordic dance instruction thing that really didn't interest me, and I didn't attend. Instead, I picked up my festival pass (a non-removable wristband), bought a ticket to an Anouar Brahem concert (which was tonight, 9-25-02, and was great), and had lunch (goat meat) at a local Somali/Middle Eastern restaurant. Then I got in line for the Ellika Frisell/Väsen concert. The NRF was once again emceed by Nick Lethert. I'd link to his site again, but it seems to not be there. Anyway, he was great, as usual. The Greek food served tonight was alright, too. But I had no idea that was supposed to be baba ghanouj... Fiddler Ellika Frisell was on first. She played solo, and very well. I really don't remember much about this concert. It was a little too mellow and I was a little too hyper. But it was good. Some dancers came out for one song, and I tried not to laugh at them, because I'm sure that they are nice people. The second (and last) concert on Friday was Väsen, who can kind of suck on cd, but are gods live, and funny as Hell. They were without percussionist Andre Ferrari this time, as he refuses to fly since 9/11, the wuss. So it was Olov Johansson on nyckelharpa, Mikael Marin on viola, and Roger Tallroth on guitar, with no replacement for Ferrari, and none needed. They were friggin' wonderful as a trio, and this was probably my second-favourite Väsen show ever. Well, I still suck at properly describing music in words, but I have some beautiful images in my head of their live shows that I'd show you, if I could. If you want to hear a great Väsen album, but their "Live at the NRF" one. I'm even on it (clapping). :) The next day started with more Somali food, and continued with Harv in the afternoon, the single afternoon show. I had only seen one complete Harv concert, back when it was only Magnus Stinnerbom and Daniel Sandén-Warg, who seemed at the time to just be sort of dicking around with their instruments, but in a good way. Last year, they'd added a guitarist, David Tallroth, and this year they had a drummer, Christian Svensson, who like Magnus is also a member of Hedningarna. They have really improved since the 2000 NRF, and I agree with one person who described them as a sort of "junior Väsen." I'm still kicking myself for forgetting to pick up their new album, not available otherwise until next month. Since it was Saturday, and parking is free in the nearby ramp if you leave after midnight or so, I stayed in town until the evening shows. Mexican food at the Cedar tonight. Swell. Tonight was the night I'd been waiting for since... last year: The Hurdy Gurdy Project and Garmarna. The HGP played first. Like last year, two guys (Stefan Brisland-Ferner of Garmarna and Totte Mattsson of Hedningarna) making incredible music with their souped-up hurdy-gurdys. They also had another guy this time, but I forget his name. I guess he was some sort of percussionist, but he was wearing a vinyl trousers and a see-through shirt, and I could see his nipples; I tried not to look. Otherwise, it was much like last year, last year being one of the best concerts of my life. Then, Garmarna. They are the first modern Nordic band I ever listened to, and they are still my favourite. But I have to admit: I am so, so, so very tired of the Hildegard von Bingen stuff. I saw them perform it in a church, a few years ago. That was great, but it's time to move on. I just can't take another song in Latin about Jesus, even when sung with Emma's voice. So, of course, the first 1/3rd of the show was H-von-B material. The remaining 2/3rds were what I was there for, however, and I soon forgot about the God-stuff: Den Bortsålda, Herr Mannelig, Vänner och Fränder, and Klevabergselden (GREAT live), among others. And Rickard Westman's guitar didn't even break when it fell off the stage. What more could you ask for? Hedningarna, that's what. They were replacing Sami performer Mari Boine on the final day. Ms.Boine was on a waiting list for a gall-bladder operation, and couldn't leave the country, as her turn under the knife had arrived. So I was excited when I woke up Sunday, since I'm not a huge fan of her, and such a huge one of Hedningarna (yeah, I'm selfish, but since her illness was nothing life threatening, I'm not quite a bastard). So I arrived once again on the West Bank, parked my car in the ramp, since it was free today, and got in line for the afternoon show: the Helsinki Mandoliners. They are an old fashioned Finnish mandolin orchestra, made up of members of JPP and Aldargaz. They were very good, though the concert probably had the lowest attendance of the NRF, perhaps due to the uncool image of Finnish mandolin orchestras. That's a shame, because they were probably one of the most talented groups there. Even with the poor attendance, Arto Järvelä said that they are much more popular here than in Helsinki, and have performed three times as many shows here. (They have performed a total of three shows in Minneapolis) And Tapani Varis played a godly Jew's harp solo... So, then more Somali food, more walking around Minneapolis, and more waiting in line. Then it was time for Wimme, and Indian food, at the Cedar. Now, I've always been fond of Wimme. The first time I saw him, I was blown away. The second, I was slightly disappointed, as his performance was almost identical to the first, and felt scripted. Still, I've kept a warm, reindeer-furry spot in my heart for him since. Until Sunday evening. Wimme, joiking, "accompanied" by various electronic noises and a man on a chair, who occaisionally would pluck a single ukelele string. The music was minimal to the point of being nonexistent, and I struggled to stay awake. It picked up after "Texas," which has long been my favourite Wimme song, but it wasn't enough to make up for the rest. The only disappointment of the NRF for me. I put Wimme behind me, and it was time for Hedningarna. They never suck, of course, and they were a great choice to close out the NRF. Unlike last year, they had two great Finnish singers: Liisa Matveinen and early-Hedningarna vocalist Tellu Virkkala, sporting unexplained bandages on both hands and wrists. They reminded me of everthing I once loved about Värttinä, back before they became the Finnish Spice Girls. Everything was perfect, and Wimme made an appearance during one of the encores, which was cool. I guess my only complaint would be: Not enough säckpipa. :) So, then I went home, eventually cutting off my festival pass and returning to normal life. ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 25 Sep 02 - 11:28 PM Oh, I meant to write this last night, but forgot: The Fifth Annual Nordic Roots Festival is scheduled for September 20-22, 2003. Not that anyone here besides me will be there. ;) And this weekend, Northside's Rob Simonds announced that they're trying to put together a reunion of Swedish folk legends, Filarfolket, which included Ellika Frisell, Ale Möller, and lots of other great Swedes. There are also supposed to be Danish performers for the first time. Speaking of Ale Möller, he'll be touring with Aly Bain next month. See them. I'm going to see them twice, hopefully. :) Dates for the Bain/Möller tour: Friday, October 11: Weigel Hall Auditorium, 1866 College Road, OSU Campus, Columbus, OH www.wexarts.org 8:00 pm Tickets: $16 gen public Saturday, October 12: Focal Point Traditional Arts, St. Louis, MO www.thefocalpoint.org 8:00 pm, Tickets: $14 advance, $16 at the door. Monday, October 14: Buskirk-Chumley Theater, Bloomington, Indiana www.lotusfest.org 7:00 pm, Tickets: $10 ($5 for children and seniors) Wednesday, October 16: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Washington, DC www.kennedy-center.org 6:00 pm, free Thursday, October 17: The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI www.a2ark.org 8:00 pm, Tickets: $13.50 Friday, October 18: Masonic Temple, Duluth, MN 8:00 pm, Tickets: $10.00. For more information, call (218) 525-4534. Saturday, October 19: Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, MN www.thecedar.org 8:00 pm, Tickets: Saturday, October 19: A Prairie Home Companion radio program, St. Paul, MN www.prairiehome.org 5:00 pm. Tickets available September 10. This is scheduled as a cameo appearance. Sunday, October 20: Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL www.oldtownschool.org Time TBA There. :) -------Lepus Rex
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 25 Sep 02 - 11:30 PM (I didn't make this clear, but the Filarfolket reuinion will be at the 2003 NRF, if it happens.) |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 09 Sep 03 - 04:39 PM OK, so I'm probably the only here who cares, but I wanted to remind people that the 2003 NRF is ten days away. Once again, I'll be going, and once again, I'll write what critics might have been heard to call "The most eagerly anticipated review of an annual Nordic folk music festival written by anyone, anywhere, anytime!" Here's the schedule and prices for the show, for anyone thinking of going (yeah, right). I've got a festival pass, which sells for $75, and will get you in early for the good seats. Friday, September 19 8 pm - Harv and Gjallarhorn, $20 I recommend the fuck out of both. Saturday, September 20 2:00 pm New Norwegian group Tigerlily $15/$10 advance 8:00 pm Filarfolket and Ellika Frisell with Solo Cissokho $20 Tigerlily looks great, as does the Filarfolket reunion. Solo Cissokho will be playing with Ellika Frisell... I'm not usually a huge fan of most sub-Saharan African music, but I'm keeping an open mind. Sunday, September 21 2 pm Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum with live musical accompaniment by Filarfolket and a special cameo performanceby the Swedish wind trio Vind 8 pm Swedish Trio Nåra and Maria Kalaniemi Trio with Sven Ahlbäck & Johan Hedin $20 OK, these are the same dancers I mentioned last year. Not looking forward to that, but oh well... The music should be good, though. Don't know much about Nåra, for some reason, but I love Maria Kalaniemi. Yeah, that's it. That's why the pass is only $75, I guess. So... anyone else going? ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 09 Sep 03 - 04:40 PM Oh, duh: I should mention, there's lots more info at nordicroots.org. :) ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Deckman Date: 09 Sep 03 - 04:53 PM Thanks for posting this! Bob(deckman)Nelson ((Kittos)) |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Margaret V Date: 09 Sep 03 - 08:09 PM I still care, Lepus, I still care! I just live, you know, a thousand miles away or something like that...and will have to miss the festival as usual. Re: Solo Cissokho, I have that CD of him with Kirsten Braten Berg and it has some very lovely moments. Not GREAT (I get sick of the everpresent mouth harps) but pretty good. Actually I used some of it in a short video I made last year for my museum. In fact I like his singing better than hers, and I wish there were more of his kora playing on the record. But then, I start from the position of really liking Senegalese music. Well, do keep an open mind and let us know how you like it, and everything else. Your reviews are not only substantively useful, they make me laugh. Cheers, Margaret |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: GUEST,Hannah Date: 10 Sep 03 - 05:41 AM Anyone been up to Kaustinen Folk Music Festival in north Finland? I went across this year and it was FANSTASTIC!! Saw some amazing music Vasen, Varttina, JPP, Maria Kalanemi, Troka to name but a few....also came across Frigg - new-ish Finnish-Norwegian band...any one else heard of them?! |
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Subject: RE: Scandinavian music (was: mostly Finnish) From: Lepus Rex Date: 11 Sep 03 - 11:55 AM Same tired old excuse, eh, Margaret? Well, that's just fine. After that crack about (my hero, munnharpe GOD) Bjørgulv Straume, maybe we're better off without you. ;) Hannah, there are a couple of new Frigg videos up at TVfolk.net, recorded at Kaustinen last year. Lucky you. :) ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: Scandinavian music(was: mostly Finnish)kaustinen! From: GUEST,andy mooer Date: 24 Jan 04 - 12:56 PM Amazing!!, I was suprised to see that this thread has endured over the years. When I first posted I wasn't expecting ANY responses!. It's been a million years since I've dropped in for a cuppa. I'm taking my ears to Kaustinen festival this year, I was wondering If any catters are going to this one,or have been to past ones??. Andy.. |
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