Saturday, January 31, 2015

Week 4: Various - Nordisk Sang (1991)


Nordisk Sang is a compilation album I stumbled upon while searching out traditional folk music of Norway. While I enjoy having a physical album in hand, getting a copy of this album was more feasible digitally. My first experiences with the music of Norway were through the extreme metal bands Enslaved and Emperor. While both of these bands have roots in what is termed black metal, their musical palette grew more progressive with each album including touches of traditional folk music. Ihsahn, the mastermind of Emperor, even produced an album of material blending metal and the traditional hardingfele, a type of fiddle, called Hardingrock.

Nordisk Sang is a mix of traditional instruments ranging from flutes to fiddles and hardingfeles with some songs featuring female vocals in Norwegian. I like these vocal tracks, because I think hearing vocals in a foreign language you do not understand allows you to focus solely on the musical quality of the voice without the distraction of the lyrics or message.

The standout track for me is "Heiemo Og Nykkjen" sung by Kirsten Braten Berg. The song would be the perfect piece of music to hear at daybreak to accompany a sunrise camping in the mountains. The vocal delivery is equally haunting and uplifting.

"Nils Og Jens Og Gjeidung" begins with a playful vocal melody also by Kirsten Braten Berg giving way to a hardingfele duplicating the dancing melody. 

This album is a departure from my usual listening habits, but it has really grown on me the past week. I was unsure I would dig it, but I have and it encourages me to search out more music from other countries. 

If you are a fan of traditional folk music or like to explore the music of different cultures and countries, then I recommend checking out this album.

Keep listening and thank you for reading this.

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