Nordic - Hommage

Nordic - Hommage (2012)

Nordic are a Swedish folk music group established in 2004.  The group's sound is usually characterised as experimental folk music, where traditional Swedish folk music is blended with jazz, bluegrass, Latin, and reggae.  Nordic is made up of Anders Löfberg (cello), Magnus Zetterlund (mandolin) and Erik Rydvall (nyckelharpa). The three met in 2004 at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and thoughts of a musical collaboration were born. (Wikipedia)

01 | Den Förste (vinjett)
02 | Bruce
03 | Döden
04 | The Lochs of Dread
05 | 8-bitar
06 | Morsis
07 | Minous vals
08 | French Elephant walk
09 | Nordic Beat
10 | Håkon & Michael
11 | Jösses, polska efter Magnus Olsson

Availability: Available in MP3 format in the U.S.

Triakel - Vintervisor

Triakel - Vintervisor (2000)

"Triakel is a band from the Swedish region of Jämtland. The band members are Emma Härdelin (vocals), Kjell-Erik Eriksson (fiddle) and Janne Strömstedt (harmonium). They play both traditional and new Swedish folk music, performed only with a fiddle and a harmonium.

Emma Härdelin, the singer of the band, is also a member of Garmarna, and Kjell-Erik Eriksson is active in Hoven Droven." (Last.fm)

01 | Julvisa från Älvdalen
02 | Berglagsjul
03 | Er framtid blive lyckelig
04 | Staffansvisa från Orust
05 | Innan gryningen
06 | Torspar-julaftas-våggvisa
07 | God morgon här, kär fader vår
08 | Det blir en julhelg glad
09 | Julvisa i Finnmarken
10 | Staffanvisa från Jämtland

Availability: Available used on Amazon in the U.S.

Bukkene Bruse - Den Fagraste Rosa

Bukkene Bruse - Den Fagraste Rosa (2001)

"Bukkene Bruse is a Norwegian musical group, focusing on a varied repertoire of traditional and folk-style Norwegian songs, but also including many new compositions based on various Norwegian musical traditions. The members of the group include Annbjørg Lien, a prominent Hardanger fiddle and nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle) player, fiddle player and vocalist Arve Moen Bergset, flautist Steinar Ofsdal, and pipe organist Bjørn Ole Rasch.

The group was formed in 1988 in Norway, and has travelled and performed widely in Scandinavia and elsewhere. They were selected as official Olympic Musicians for the Lillehammer Olympic Games, and performed at the closing ceremony." (Last.fm)


01 | Eit barn er født i Betlehem
02 | Lullámus
03 | Haugebonden
04 | Julefran
05 | Mit hjerte altid vanker
06 | St. Sunniva
07 | Eit lidet barn saa lystelig / I denne søde juletid
08 | Så spela far juleftan
09 | Den fagraste rosa er funni
10 | Romjulsgangar
11 | For saadan' mildheds gaver

Availability: Available used on Amazon, under both the original Norwegian title and the English "The Loveliest Rose".

Åsne Valland Nordli - Julekvad

Åsne Valland Nordli - Julekvad (1996)

"Åsne Valland Nordli is a Norwegian singer, raised in the village Norheimsund in Hardanger. She started to sing folk tunes when she was a little girl, and learned kveding from Steffen Eide, Margrete Opheim and Sondre Bratland. At only 15 years old, she started teaching at the Ole Bull Academy in Voss." (Wikipedia)

01 | Eg Synger Julekvad
02 | Mitt Hjerte Alltid Vanker
03 | Kling No Klokka
04 | Eg Er Så Glad Kvar Julekveld
05 | Din Herlegdom, Frelsar
06 | Her Er Det Ny, Som På Jorderik Skjedde
07 | I Denne Søte Juletid
08 | Det Lyser I Stille Grender
09 | Deilig Er Jorden
10 | Det Klimer Nå Til Julefest
11 | Guds Son Er Komen Til Oss Ned
12 | No Koma Guds Englar
13 | Den Fagraste Rosa
14 | Stille Natt

Availability: Available used or in MP3 format in the U.S.

Ranarim - Allt vid den ljusa stjärnan

Ranarim - Allt vid den ljusa stjärnan (2008)

Ranarim are a folk band from Sweden. Their current line-up consists of Sofia Sandén and Ulrika Bodén on vocals, Niklas Roswall on nyckelharp, Jens Engelbrecht on guitar and mandola, Anders Johnsson on double bass, and Olle Linder on percussion. They play a mixture of traditional and original folk compositions.

Ranarim were formed while Sofia Sandén, Ulrika Bodén, Niklas Roswall and Jens Engelbrecht were at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm together.  Niklas Roswall won the 1996 Nyckelharpa World Championship, and has also released a solo album. He is also a member of the Nyckelharpa Orchestra.  Ulrika Bodén and Sofia Sandén also performed as part of Rosenberg 7, an all-female vocal group led by Susanne Rosenberg.

‘Ranarim’ translates literally as ‘dew tapestry’ (‘rana’ means a woven tapestry or rug; ‘rim’ is an old Swedish word for ‘dew’). (Last.fm)

01 | Tiggarvisa från Malung
02 | Klang min vackra bjällra
03 | Julakillevisan
04 | Medan julen är inne
05 | Den signade dag
06 | Hälsningsvisor
07 | Räven raskar
08 | Gladelig sjunga vi
09 | En jungfru födde ett barn idag
10 | Staffan var en stalledräng
11 | Godafton här
12 | Kära mor i huset / Graninge-Staffan
13 | Allt vid den ljusa stjärnan
14 | Det gamla år framgånget är
15 | Haven tack / Klangpolska

Availability: Other of their albums appear to have received U.S. releases, but not this one.  No mp3 version that I can find.

Harv - Must

Harv - Must (2000)

"Going from Jimi Hendrix covers to traditional Scandinavian fiddle music might seem like a giant leap of imagination, but it's exactly what the Swedish duo of Harv has managed. Magnus Stinnerbom and Daniel Sandén-Warg first played together in 1992, when they were 14, while attending a high school for musicians in their hometown of Karlstad. In Harv's very earliest incarnation, Stinnerbom played drums and Sandén-Warg guitar, as they jammed on old Hendrix songs, aiming to be rock stars. The idea of moving to traditional music came a year later. Stinnerbom had grown up with the music, his father having been a fiddle player with the seminal Swedish folk band Groupa, and when he finally played some of the old sounds for his friend, Sandén-Warg was an instant convert. However, it would still be a while before the pair appeared in public. Their debut as Harv (which translates as "harrow") came in 1996, when they provided the music for a production of Hamlet by the Västanå Theatre, and their eponymous first CD arrived a year later." (From the group's iTunes page)

01 | A-kassa
02 | Båten
03 | EF
04 | Olov
05 | Lumiainen
06 | Kvartetten
07 | Spaken
08 | Reinlender
09 | Svempa
10 | Björk-arab
11 | Björklund
12 | Brudmarsch (Wedding March)
13 | Blää!
14 | Vandringjen / Fiskaren
15 | Hamlet

Availability: Out of print in the U.S. but physical copies are readily available.  No MP3.

Synnøve S. Bjørset - Slåttar

Synnøve S. Bjørset - Slåttar (2009)

"Synnøve S. Bjørset ranks among the foremost performers and interpreters of traditional Hardanger fiddle music today.  With uncommon strength and spirit, she presents a tasteful, melodious collection of little-known tunes and reinterpretations of familiar standards, playing a wide range of scordatura tunings.  Over the past few years, her performances have won her a string of awards.  She has released a number of albums, and also performs regularly with Majorstuen."  (Website)

01 | Grålysingspringar
02 | Fanitullen
03 | Seint o kveldo
04 | Sagenspringar
05 | Fanteladda, springar
06 | Purka sat fast i grindi, halling
07 | Øvrebøspringar
08 | Reishagenspringar
09 | Storren, springar
10 | Haugetspringar
11 | Solundspringar
12 | Reisetonar
13 | Gygri frå Trollebotn, springar
14 | Hesjevollspringar
15 | Valdresguten, halling
16 | Skreddarslåtten, springar
17 | Klunkespringaren
18 | Tomasklokkene

Availability: Available used or in MP3 format in the U.S.

Bazar Blå - Nordic City

Bazar Blå - Nordic City (1998)

"Bazar Blå is one of the leading bands on the new folkmusic-scene in sweden. Their original compositions are clearly influenced by swedish traditions and heritage but always with a very modern touch of rhythms and soundscapes. Coming from different musical backgrounds each member brings very individual experiences to the band. This specific blend of personalities, repertoire and fantastic musicianship is what gives their music its unmistakeable character. With percussion, nyckelharpa (a medieval swedish folk instrument) and bass-guitars there are many ways to travel with Bazar Blå. The result is a distinctly new folk-music which the trio calls Transglobal Tripfolk - Music inspired by traditions from all over the world with the ambition to invite you as a listener on a trip through time and space." (Website)

01 | Nordic City
02 | Leafsong
03 | Just Add Water
04 | Solpolskan
05 | Altair
06 | Norsken
07 | Dalaimama part one
08 | Dalaimama part two
09 | I Grevens Tid
10 | Däbädäbärä
11 | Haijaja
12 | Blues for Elks
13 | Björnpolskan

Availability: Available used in the U.S.

Bukkene Bruse - Åre

Bukkene Bruse - Åre (1995)

"Bukkene Bruse is a Norwegian musical group, focusing on a varied repertoire of traditional and folk-style Norwegian songs, but also including many new compositions based on various Norwegian musical traditions. The members of the group include Annbjørg Lien, a prominent Hardanger fiddle and nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle) player, fiddle player and vocalist Arve Moen Bergset, flautist Steinar Ofsdal, and pipe organist Bjørn Ole Rasch.

The group was formed in 1988 in Norway, and has travelled and performed widely in Scandinavia and elsewhere. They were selected as official Olympic Musicians for the Lillehammer Olympic Games, and performed at the closing ceremony." (Last.fm)

01 | Norafjølls
02 | The Fair Haired Child (An Páistín Fionn)
03 | Olav Høljesen
04 | O Vis Gud
05 | Tordis
06 | Haugelåt
07 | Syng i Stille Morgonstunder
08 | Bendik og Årolilja
09 | Fenta
10 | Høstkveld
11 | Hølje Plassen
12 | Halling-Jorånn
13 | The Foggy Dew

Availability: Available used on Amazon; no MP3 available in the U.S.

Nordic - Metropol

Nordic - Metropol (2008)

Nordic are a Swedish folk music group established in 2004.  The group's sound is usually characterised as experimental folk music, where traditional Swedish folk music is blended with jazz, bluegrass, Latin, and reggae.  Nordic is made up of Anders Löfberg (cello), Magnus Zetterlund (mandolin) and Erik Rydvall (nyckelharpa). The three met in 2004 at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and thoughts of a musical collaboration were born. (Wikipedia)

01 | Varacion andina
02 | Skatan
03 | Begåvningsmarschen
04 | Barriären
05 | The Breakdown
06 | Av längtan av glädje
07 | Vigselregn
08 | Balsamvals
09 | Ditte i Finnskogen
10 | Sigrid och småfolket
11 | Metropolitan
12 | Efter dig

Availability: Available on MP3 from CDUniverse; otherwise unavailable in the U.S.

Gunnfjauns Kapell - Dansä läite

Gunnfjauns Kapell - Dansä läite (2001)

Gunnfjauns Kapell are a Swedish folk group from Gotland.    Their name was taken from an abandoned church is east Gotland.  (Wikipedia)

01 | Gunnels Vals

02 | Småpolskorna

03 | Just Jost

04 | Det Gingo Två Flickor

05 | Groddaliran

06 | Sletkalsgilde

07 | Groddapolskan

08 | Läile Nätte Fröken

09 | Lärbropolskan

10 | Dansä Läite

11 | Trumbromsen

12 | Högaste Himmel

13 | Mördarpolskorna

14 | Den Bergtagna

Availability: Out of print in the U.S., but available in MP3 format.

Ranarim - För världen älskar vad som är brokot

Ranarim - För världen älskar vad som är brokot (2003)

Ranarim are a folk band from Sweden. Their current line-up consists of Sofia Sandén and Ulrika Bodén on vocals, Niklas Roswall on nyckelharp, Jens Engelbrecht on guitar and mandola, Anders Johnsson on double bass, and Olle Linder on percussion. They play a mixture of traditional and original folk compositions.

Ranarim were formed while Sofia Sandén, Ulrika Bodén, Niklas Roswall and Jens Engelbrecht were at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm together.  Niklas Roswall won the 1996 Nyckelharpa World Championship, and has also released a solo album. He is also a member of the Nyckelharpa Orchestra.  Ulrika Bodén and Sofia Sandén also performed as part of Rosenberg 7, an all-female vocal group led by Susanne Rosenberg.

‘Ranarim’ translates literally as ‘dew tapestry’ (‘rana’ means a woven tapestry or rug; ‘rim’ is an old Swedish word for ‘dew’). (Last.fm)

01 | Skulle jag sörja?
02 | I min ungdom
03 | Hjärtats vals / När rågen blir mogen
04 | Mara mara minne
05 | Koraler
06 | Näcken bortför jungfrun
07 | Höga berg
08 | Mera önska myckit få
09 | Slängpolskor
10 | Mitt adertonde år / Jag tänka däruppå
11 | Ropot
12 | Brokot
13 | Sista polskan
14 | Sjalen
15 | Tennisbaronessan
16 | Haga / Flyg ystat

Availability: Other of their albums appear to have received U.S. releases, but not this one.  No mp3 version that I can find.

Chateau Neuf Spelemannslag - Spell

Chateau Neuf Spelemannslag - Spell (1995)

"The traditional music of Norway is preserved through the efforts of the 11 musicians and five female vocalists who comprise Chateau Neuf Spelemannslag. With traditional Norwegian instruments, including fiddle, Hardanger fiddle, accordion, and Norwegian recorder, combined with saxophone, clarinet, oboe, electric bass, guitar, piano, and percussion, the group resurrects the musical spirits of Norway's past. Formed in 1994 by musicians and singers whose prior experience included stints with classical, rock, jazz, and pop groups, Chateau Neuf Spelemannslag continue to learn traditional melodies by ear and collectively work out intricate arrangements. Their first two albums, The Sweet Sunny North and The Sweet Sunny North, Vol. 2, were produced by Henry Kaiser and David Lindley. Their 1997 album, Tjuvgods, was reissued in the United States as Stolen Goods. Chateau Neuf Spelemannslag performed their debut London show in the summer of 1999. " (Allmusic.com)

01 | Forspill
02 | Faut-Marits Polska
03 | Funky Pærsen
04 | Ringereven
05 | Gamle-Guro
06 | Lars Linkerifot
07 | Visetone
08 | Sheiv Shig
09 | Kari Hagen
10 | Holtrilen
11 | Gaute og Magnhild
12 | Gubben Garberg
13  Vossatril
14 | Kulokk
15 | Huldra Mi
16 | Kjetta
17 | Lilleboa
18 | Nu Er En Dag Fremliden
19 | Heilos Trademark

Availability: Not readily available in the U.S., although used copies can be found.

Unintented hiatus (hopefully) over!

Apologies for disappearing for so long.  I've been out a computer for the better part of two months, and have just acquired a new one which appears to have some issues straight from the factory... but hopefully everything is functional enough that I won't disappear again.  :)  To make up for it, I intend to post at least once a week until I've returned to my 3-posts-a-month average.  I've also just updated my music list.  It isn't a lot, but there are a few new items.

Steinar Rygg - Brunnslåtten

Steinar Rygg - Brunnslåtten (2002)

Guess what? There isn't much information available about Steinar Rygg.  He's a hardingfele player, like his father Leif Rygg, and is mentioned in this article about his father.  I found a single image of the CD cover online, in the poor quality you see above (it was less than 100x100 pixels).  All but three tracks on this disc are solo hardingfele, and all tunes come from Voss, Hardanger, or Telemark.

01 | Huldrejentas lokketonar av Torkjell Haugerud (1881-1954)
02 | Brunnslåtten av Eivind Groven (1901-1977)
03 | Langedragen I etter Knut Luras (1786-1848)
04 | Nordfjorden etter Anders Kjerland
05 | Frå sova til sjø, brureslatt etter Ola Håstadbø
06 | Jentebedragaren, gangar
07 | Muraren, brureslått etter Siri Dyvik
08 | Hoyversdagen, etter Håvard Giboen
09 | Langedragen III, ganger etter Leif Rygg
10 | Myren, springar etter Ola Mosafinn
11 | Eivinds minne, av Eivind Mo
12 | Langedragen II, gangar etter Leif Rygg
13 | Gammal Vossarull etter Leif Rygg
14 | Jornvrengja, etter Ola Mosafinn
15 | Fanitullen etter Einar Mjølsnes
16 | Trotto

Availability: Not available in the U.S.  As far as I can tell, somewhat difficult to get a hold of in Norway as well.

RUNA - Somewhere Along the Road

RUNA - Somewhere Along the Road (2012)

"RUNA draws on the diverse musical backgrounds of its band members and offers a contemporary and refreshing approach to traditional and more recently composed Celtic material.  Through their repertoire of both highly energetic and graceful, acoustic melodies, along with their fusion of music from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the United States, this vocal and instrumental ensemble gives its arrangements of traditional songs and tunes a fresh sound.

Members of RUNA have played with Solas, Riverdance, Slide, Clannad, Fiddlers’ Bid, Moya Brennan, Eileen Ivers, Hazel O’Conner, Full Frontal Folk, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Barcó, Téada, and the Guy Mendilow Band." (Website)

01 | The Dreadful End of Marianna for Sorcery
02 | Here's a Health to the Company
03 | A Stór, A Stór A Ghrá
04 | Seinn O, Ho Ro
05 | The Foggy Dew
06 | The Crooked Road to Dublin set
07 | Eppie Morrie
08 | Farewell to Tarwathie / The Last Leviathan
09 | The Maid That Sold Her Barley
10 | Somewhere Along the Road / Toss The Feathers / The Mason's Apron
11 | Mae Colven
12 | The Parting Glass
13 | Allison Cross
14 | Amhrán Mhuighinse

Availability: Available in the U.S. on CD and in MP3.

Kerstin Blodig & Ian Melrose - Kelpie

Kerstin Blodig & Ian Melrose - Kelpie (2003)

I picked this album up at the Alma Highland Festival this past spring.  The CD was new when purchased, but some of the tracks contain glitches -- most notably #6, "Bedlam Boys / Bedlam Girls".  This is unfortunately an issue with the disc itself and not with the computer/software used to read the disc.  I have considered re-purchasing the album, but if this was an issue with recording rather than my disc I don't want to waste my money on it.  If anyone has a version of this track without glitches, I would love to know.

Blodig and Melrose have released other albums under the group name of Kelpie, though the Amazon listings for this CD attribute to them individually.

01 | Kråka
02 | Mine Viser
03 | Kelpie
04 | Halling fra Elverum
05 | Villemann og Magnhild
06 | Bedlam Boys / Bedlam Girls
07 | Sven Svane
08 | Guten og Mann / Fillefant Ril
09 | The Battle of Waterloo
10 | Paddy Goes to Tunesia
11 | Nelaugvatn Reels
12 | Polska efter Lars Orre
13 | Sumarnatta

Availability: Available in the U.S. on CD and in MP3.

Harv - Töst!

Harv - Töst! (2002)

"Going from Jimi Hendrix covers to traditional Scandinavian fiddle music might seem like a giant leap of imagination, but it's exactly what the Swedish duo of Harv has managed. Magnus Stinnerbom and Daniel Sandén-Warg first played together in 1992, when they were 14, while attending a high school for musicians in their hometown of Karlstad. In Harv's very earliest incarnation, Stinnerbom played drums and Sandén-Warg guitar, as they jammed on old Hendrix songs, aiming to be rock stars. The idea of moving to traditional music came a year later. Stinnerbom had grown up with the music, his father having been a fiddle player with the seminal Swedish folk band Groupa, and when he finally played some of the old sounds for his friend, Sandén-Warg was an instant convert. However, it would still be a while before the pair appeared in public. Their debut as Harv (which translates as "harrow") came in 1996, when they provided the music for a production of Hamlet by the Västanå Theatre, and their eponymous first CD arrived a year later." (From the group's iTunes page)

01 | Töst
02 | Ånonschottis
03 | Peer Reel
04 | Hälihövve
05 | Marianne Sinclaire
06 | Saivo
07 | Kavaljershalling
08 | Sviten
09 | Dären
10 | Tärningspolska
11 | Kejsarn

Availability: Available used from Amazon.  No MP3 available.

Väsen - Mindset

Väsen - Mindset (2013)

"Heavyweights in the nordic folk music scene, Väsen are a Swedish group combining the talents of Olov Johansson (nyckelharpa), Mikael Marin (viola), Roger Tallroth (guitar) and André Ferrari (percussion). The band has also released a number of albums as a trio without Ferrari." (Last.fm)

01 | Byxen Fisen & Blåsen
02 | Hembrännarmarsch
03 | Polska for Tom Morrow
04 | Marsch i April
05 | Lilla Kulturebidragsvalsen
06 | Träbens-Jonke
07 | Magnus
08 | Fanny
09 | Johans Vals
10 | Hundlåten
11 | Spacekadetten
12 | Maja & Tobbes Brudvals
13 | Kuldd'n
14 | Pilvi & Eskos Brudvals

Availability: Only available in MP3 format in the U.S.

The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc - The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc

The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc - The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc (2011)

"The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc is Olav Luksengård Mjelva, Anders Hall and Kevin Henderson who come from Norway, Sweden and the Shetland Islands respectively.  They are three of the finest young fiddlers currently working in the folk music scene and are in great demand playing in various musical constellations throughout the world.  The project is the brainchild of Anders Hall who felt that combining the three unique distinctive fiddle styles together would create a special sound." (Website)

01 | Sangenuten
02 | Un-named Shetland Reel
03 | Polska from Delsbo
04 | Da Greenland Man's Tune
05 | Jenna Reid of Quarff
06 | Maria's 27th Birthday Plattgympa
07 | Midnight on the Water / Bonaparte's Retreat
08 | Halling from Trondheim
09 | Fjellvåk
10 | Paella Grande
11 | Da Full Rigged Ship / The Rigged Ship
12 | Waltz after Lasse in Lyby

Availability: Available directly from the band's website, or in MP3 format on Amazon and iTunes.

Hedningarna - Trä

Hedningarna - Trä (1994)

"Hedningarna is a Swedish band, playing Nordic folk-rock.  'Hedningarna' is Swedish for 'the pagans' or 'the heathens'. They combine traditional instrumentation and lyrics - with occasional help from Finnish singers - and modern technology.  Current Hedningarna members are Hållbus Totte Mattson (lute, hurdy-gurdy, mandora, mora-oud, etc), Anders Norrudde (violin, hardingfela, moraharp, basmoraharp, stringed harp, swedish bagpipe, willowflute, cow- and goathorn), Magnus Stinnerbom (viola, hurdy-gurdy etc) and Christian Svensson (percussion and sampler)." (Last.fm)

01 | Täss'on Nainen
02 | Min Skog
03 | Vargtimmen
04 | Gorrlaus
05 | Skrautvål
06 | Pornopolska
07 | Räven
08 | Såglåten
09 | Tuuli
10 | Täppmarschen
11 | Tina Vieri

Availability: Available on Amazon in MP3 and both new and used physical copies.

Bukkene Bruse - Bukkene Bruse

Bukkene Bruse - Bukkene Bruse (1993)

"Bukkene Bruse is a Norwegian musical group, focusing on a varied repertoire of traditional and folk-style Norwegian songs, but also including many new compositions based on various Norwegian musical traditions. The members of the group include Annbjørg Lien, a prominent Hardanger fiddle and nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle) player, fiddle player and vocalist Arve Moen Bergset, flautist Steinar Ofsdal, and pipe organist Bjørn Ole Rasch.

The group was formed in 1988 in Norway, and has travelled and performed widely in Scandinavia and elsewhere. They were selected as official Olympic Musicians for the Lillehammer Olympic Games, and performed at the closing ceremony." (Last.fm)

01 | Til Sætersdal
02 | Seljefløyel
03 | Haslebuskane
04 | Tabhair Dom Do Lahm (Give Me Your Hand)
05 | Bøn
06 | Nåvårsetermarsjen
07 | Miriams Voggelåt
08 | Fanitullen
09 | Nu Rinner Solen Opp
10 | Målfrid Mi Fruve
11 | Bruremarsj Etter Fiskestigen
12 | Holalsbrura
13 | Rotnheims-Knut

Availability: Readily available used; does not appear to be in print or available in MP3 format in the U.S.  Supposedly it was re-issued in 2013, but Amazon has no copies.

Harv - Direktör Deg EP

Harv - Direktör Deg EP (2005)

"Going from Jimi Hendrix covers to traditional Scandinavian fiddle music might seem like a giant leap of imagination, but it's exactly what the Swedish duo of Harv has managed. Magnus Stinnerbom and Daniel Sandén-Warg first played together in 1992, when they were 14, while attending a high school for musicians in their hometown of Karlstad. In Harv's very earliest incarnation, Stinnerbom played drums and Sandén-Warg guitar, as they jammed on old Hendrix songs, aiming to be rock stars. The idea of moving to traditional music came a year later. Stinnerbom had grown up with the music, his father having been a fiddle player with the seminal Swedish folk band Groupa, and when he finally played some of the old sounds for his friend, Sandén-Warg was an instant convert. However, it would still be a while before the pair appeared in public. Their debut as Harv (which translates as "harrow") came in 1996, when they provided the music for a production of Hamlet by the Västanå Theatre, and their eponymous first CD arrived a year later." (From the group's iTunes page)

01 | Direktör Deg

02 | Raggarvals (Yobbowaltz)

03 | Mor Åse (from Peer Gynt)

04 | Hälihövve (Live)

05 | Sviten (Live)

Availability: The EP can be purchased used and the first two tracks are on the Polka Raggioso album.  There is no MP3 version available of the last three tracks in the U.S.

Den Fule - Halling i köket

Den Fule - Halling i köket (2010)

"Den Fule (meaning “The ugly one”) was formed primarily from veterans of the 1970s Swedish folk rock scene. The band produced two albums through Xource Records in the early 1990s then disbanded. Their first album Lugumleik met with immediate critical acclaim and won the Swedish Grammy for “Best Folk Music Album of the Year 1993”. The album was described for the Swedish Grammy awards as a blend of jazz, rock, funk and traditional folk music." (Last.fm)

01 | Städa
02 | Norskorna
03 | Glimten
04 | Grum-Delta
05 | Rökschottis
06 | Knöltoppen
07 | Liabekken
08 | Halling i köket
09 | Hunden

Availability: Available new on Amazon, but listed under the wrong artist.  Also available in MP3 format.

Ahlberg, Ek & Roswall - Vintern

Ahlberg, Ek & Roswall - Vintern (2012)

"Ahlberg, Ek & Roswall offers a swinging and virtuosic interplay that invites
both listening and dancing. The repertoire is based on tradtional Swedish tunes, including slängpolskas from Skåne, triplet-based polskas from Medelpad, as well as their own compositions." (Website)

01 | Vintern
02 | Huldrasviten
03 | Nysnabben
04 | Jeppsons G-moll
05 | Stor-Anted trioler
06 | Visarkivet, Annell
07 | Jöns första vals
08 | Lagerfedt, Jeppson
09 | Juli
10 | Kvarnforsen
11 | 875
12 | Snigelschottis
13 | Grönby
14 | Jonk Jonas
15 | Gånglåt till Daniel

Availability: Available used or in MP3 format in the U.S.

Sorten Muld - Mark II

Sorten Muld - Mark II (1997)

"Sorten Muld is a Danish electro-folk band, formed in 1995. They have won two Danish Grammys for Mark II. The English translation of Sorten Muld is Dark Soil.  Their music can be characterized by elegantly composed rhythms, floating sound of typical folk-instruments like bagpipes, flutes and violins, in an electronica-composition that supports the dramatic lyrics [...] The lyrics are old stories from Danish folk tradition, about jealousy, murder and creatures."  (Last.fm)

01 | Bonden og elverpigen
02 | Venelite
03 | Harald Kongen
04 | Jeg gik mig ud en sommerdag
05 | Havets farer
06 | Ravnen
07 | Kirstin
08 | Som stjernerne på himlens blå
09 | 2 søstre
10 | Mylardatter
11 | Jeg kan se på dine øjne at du har en anden kær

Availability: Used physical copies available on Amazon.  Not available new or in MP3 format in the U.S.

Den Fule - Contrebande

Den Fule - Contrebande (2013)

"Den Fule (meaning “The ugly one”) was formed primarily from veterans of the 1970s Swedish folk rock scene. The band produced two albums through Xource Records in the early 1990s then disbanded. Their first album Lugumleik met with immediate critical acclaim and won the Swedish Grammy for “Best Folk Music Album of the Year 1993”. The album was described for the Swedish Grammy awards as a blend of jazz, rock, funk and traditional folk music." (Last.fm)

01 | Slit och släng / Kenote
02 | Maala / Maalahalling
03 | Soumsoum
04 | Dolo / Tussegubben
05 | Gubben / Manssolou
06 | Lame and Mute / Sahadougou

Availability: Available in MP3 format in the U.S.

Nyckelharporkestern - Byss-Calle

Nyckelharporkestern - Byss-Calle (2000)

Nyckelharporkestern is a group of six Swedish nyckelharpa players (Ola Hertzberg, Olov Johansson, Niklas Roswall, Johan Hedin, Henrik Eriksson, and Markus Svensson).  There isn't much information available about them, even in Swedish.

01 | Samlingsmarsch
02 | Storpolskan
03 | Olapolskan
04 | Vals efter Byss-Calle
05 | Brostugan
06 | Brudmarsch efter Byss-Calle
07 | Fingertarmen
08 | Bodins C-durpolska
09 | 42:an
10 | Guldklimpen
11 | Byss-Callepolska efter Wesslén
12 | Klockstapelsvalsen
13 | Storsvarten
14 | Västanmadspolskan
15 | Byss-Calles Ridmarsch
16 | Byggnan

Availability: Can be found used on Amazon.  No mp3 album available.

Svanevit - Gryning

Svanevit - Gryning (2005)

"The tale of the Swedish folk music group Svanevit takes place in the here and now. It begins with four eminent Swedish folk musicians and their music. What they create is both new and modern and at the same time retrospective, drawing inspiration from the past. Each and every element of the music is filled with an anticipation and narrative zest that allows the tale to continue giving the sounds, magic and legends a chance to live on in our time." (Last.fm)

01 | Gryning (Swan White)
02 | Grönalundsmarschen (The Green Grove March)
03 | Önskepolska (Wishing Polska)
04 | Jag minnes dig (I Remember You)
05 | PD 146
06 | Fiskeskär (Lullaby)
07 | Nils Lagerfeldt
08 | Bältet (The Belt)
09 | Evigheten (Eternity)
10 | Din klara sol (Your Bright Sun)
11 | Adjö farväl min söta flicka (Farewell, My Sweet Girl)
12 | Nu haver denna dag (Now Has This Day)

Availability: Available in mp3 or used physical copy in the U.S.

Harv - Polka Raggioso

Harv - Polka Raggioso (2005)

"Going from Jimi Hendrix covers to traditional Scandinavian fiddle music might seem like a giant leap of imagination, but it's exactly what the Swedish duo of Harv has managed. Magnus Stinnerbom and Daniel Sandén-Warg first played together in 1992, when they were 14, while attending a high school for musicians in their hometown of Karlstad. In Harv's very earliest incarnation, Stinnerbom played drums and Sandén-Warg guitar, as they jammed on old Hendrix songs, aiming to be rock stars. The idea of moving to traditional music came a year later. Stinnerbom had grown up with the music, his father having been a fiddle player with the seminal Swedish folk band Groupa, and when he finally played some of the old sounds for his friend, Sandén-Warg was an instant convert. However, it would still be a while before the pair appeared in public. Their debut as Harv (which translates as "harrow") came in 1996, when they provided the music for a production of Hamlet by the Västanå Theatre, and their eponymous first CD arrived a year later." (From the group's iTunes page)

01 | Grythyttehyl
02 | Direktör Deg
03 | Raggarvals (Yobbowaltz)
04 | Sockertöj / Ja Dä Gör Vi
05 | Tösen
06 | Hægsta
07 | Guttis
08 | Polka Raggioso
09 | Titania
10 | Harveland / Potatisvalsen

Availability: Physical CD appears to be out of print in the U.S. but can be found used.  MP3 available.

Bäsk - Bäsk

Bäsk - Bäsk / Kennemark, Simonsson, Källman (1999)

This album appears to have been released under the name Bäsk originally and Kennemark, Simonsson, Källman in its 2011 (mp3 only?) re-release.  I left the tags as iTunes imported automatically.

"In Bäsk, three of Sweden's top traditional players come together for a brilliant set of tunes, both trad. and original.  Jonas Simonsson (Groupa, Den Fule) on flures, Sten Källman (Den Fule) on saxes and percussion, and fiddler Hans Kennemark (Forsmark Tre) bring fresh arrangements to the acoustic trio sound." (From the CD case)

01 | Menuett från Skallsjö (Minuet from Skallsjö)

02 | Hebyhalling

03 | Liabekken

04 | Valétpolska utan slut (Endless Valét Polska)

05 | Engelska från Släp (Engelska from Släp)

06 | Grävling (Badger)

07 | Vals från Munkedal (Waltz from Munkedal)

08 | Örnen / Björnen (The Eagle / The Bear)

09 | Polonäs från Sexdrega (Polonaise from Sexdrega)

10 | Arabiskan

11 | Gässa går i rågen (Geese in the Rye)

12 | Skara brudmarsch

13 | Måsen (Gull)

14 | Klåvåheilagt

15 | Polska i a-dur (Polska in A Major)

16 | Mors vals (Mother's Waltz)

Availability: Physical CD appears to be out of print in the U.S., but can be found used or in MP3 format.

Music list

Mostly complete.  Includes only the Scandinavian folk music/artists in my collection.

Swåp - Swåp

Swåp - Swåp (1997)

"Two Swedes and two Brits; two men and two women; two Nordic folk fiddlers and two traditional Celtic musicians. This is Swåp: the inevitable confluence of two distinct but related musical cultures. Their music moves effortlessly from Swedish polska to Irish jig, from Swedish “vals” to British waltz, with swinging arrangements, memorable original compositions, grace, respect and passion." (Last.fm)

01 | Molnbyggen (Molnbyggen / Mobilen)
02 | Congress (The Congress Reel / Springlek Från Lima)
03 | Piddellipom (Meatballs, Whisky And Beer / Piddellipom)
04 | Red Jacket (Polska Efter Christian Oskarsson / The Red Jacket / Polska Från Gräsmark)
05 | Strayaway Child (Nighean Nan Caorach / Strayaway Child)
06 | Tokpolkett
07 | Salvation (Drever's Waltz / The Salvation)
08 | Lommen
09 | Girl (The Girl Who Broke My Heart / Le Quatres Sers En L'air)
10 | Möklinta (Polska Från Möklinta)
11 | Khazi (La Valsounette / L'autre Bout Du Monde / Vals Från Dalsland /Khazi Waltz)
12 | Dream Waltz (The Dream Waltz / Vals Från Älvdalen

Availability: Physical copy appears to be out of print in the U.S. Can be acquired used online at a reasonable price or purchased as MP3.

About

This blog is intended for trial purposes only.  Please consider purchasing the music contained herein if it is available in your country.

This blog is (intended to be) updated every one to two weeks.  If it has been longer than three or four weeks and you are eager for another update, please message me or comment.  I may become too busy to update of my own volition, but I will always try to update in a timely fashion if requested to do so.

I am not a particularly wordy person where music is concerned, nor am I blessed with the time to hunt for and compile information regarding most of the artists/albums I will post.  In most cases I will provide the bare bones of information: album covers if I can find them and general album information (including track listings, in case the tags do not transfer properly).  I will attempt to provide more information upon request.  As the name indicates, I intend to post primarily Scandinavian folk music, although I may occasionally branch out to other genres or branches of folk music.

Once I have my music list up, I will welcome requests for anything you are curious to try.