Swåp - Mosquito Hunter

Swåp - Mosquito Hunter (2001)

"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 | Jigs: Kesh Jig / The Baroon / The Meersbrook

02 | Anton
03 | Staffanvisa från Leksand / Only Viveka
04 | Master Crowley's / A Packet a Year / Binsjö Reel
05 | I'm Not Fed Up with the Pacific Ocean
06 | Creme Fraiche
07 | Fiskmås
08 | Mosquito Hunter
09 | Sukiyaki Reel / Sukiyaki Song
10 | This Is My Pen
11 | Ms. DK
12 | Old Hales
13 | The Dusty Miller / Three Ravens / Solåten

Availability: Out of print in the U.S.  Used copies of the Japanese release occasionally available.

Wimme - Mun

Wimme - Mun (2009)

Wimme Saari (also known as just Wimme) is one of the best known Sami yoik singers from Scandinavia. Wimme Saari combines traditional Sami singing with his own improvisations, usually to a acoustic-techno-ambient accompaniment by WIMME group Wimme. Wimme has also appeared on the albums of other bands, for instance Hedningarna.  (Last.fm)

01 | Soahkesuovva (Birch Smoke)
02 | In mun du (It's Not You)
03 | Ruovdi (Iron)
04 | Don leat (You Are)
05 | Paris
06 | Máššu (Calm)
07 | Sohka (Family)
08 | Lottit (Birds)
09 | Ale (Don't)
10 | Iditguovssu (Dawn)
11 | Áiti (Storehouse)

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

Wimme - Bárru

Wimme - Bárru (2003)

Wimme Saari (also known as just Wimme) is one of the best known Sami yoik singers from Scandinavia. Wimme Saari combines traditional Sami singing with his own improvisations, usually to a acoustic-techno-ambient accompaniment by WIMME group Wimme. Wimme has also appeared on the albums of other bands, for instance Hedningarna.  (Last.fm)

01 | Njavvi (Torrent)
02 | Inka
03 | Gorzi (Waterfall)
04 | Suhpi (Aspen)
05 | Fádnu
06 | Goalki (Calm)
07 | Cearret (Arctic Tern)
08 | Kalkutta
09 | Guoldu (Whirling Snow)
10 | Boares Rieban (Old Fox)
11 | Bárru (Wave)
12 | Durban
13 | Dálki (Tempest)

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

Wimme - Cugu

Wimme - Cugu (2000)

Wimme Saari (also known as just Wimme) is one of the best known Sami yoik singers from Scandinavia. Wimme Saari combines traditional Sami singing with his own improvisations, usually to a acoustic-techno-ambient accompaniment by WIMME group Wimme. Wimme has also appeared on the albums of other bands, for instance Hedningarna.  (Last.fm)

01 | Eallima Bárut (Waves of Life)
02 | Silbabiedju (Silver Cave)
03 | Cugu (Puppy)
04 | Nággu (Argument)
05 | Mii Leat (We Are)
06 | Texas
07 | Dierpmesbákti (The Rock of the Thunder God)
08 | Bambumiehta (Bamboo Honey)
09 | Baksamat (Lips)
10 | Suoldnit (Dew)
11 | Rehálas (Honest)
12 | Agálas Johtin (The Eternal Journey)

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

Sanna Kurki-Suonio - Huria

Sanna Kurki-Suonio - Huria (2008)

Born in 1966, Sanna Kurki-Suonio is a Finnish singer, kantele player and composer in the contemporary folk music genre. She is probably most well-known for her work with the band Hedningarna. She was also a founding member of the group Loituma. (Last.fm)



01 | Haudankaivaja / The Gravedigger
02 | Huria / Reckless
03 | Tyttö Kulkija / The Vagabond Girl
04 | Mun Muistuu Mieleheni / Reminescence
05 | Matkalla / On The Road
06 | Metsälampi / The Forest Pond
07 | Nousin / I Woke Up
08 | Vanhanpiian Valitus / The Old Maid's Lament
09 | Yksi Tähti Taivaalla / A Star In The Sky
10 | Tällä Laululla / With This Song
11 | Eron Hetki / Bidding Farewell
12 | Viitalahti
13 | Iltalaulu / An Evening Song

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

Annbjørg Lien - Waltz with Me

Annbjørg Lien - Waltz with Me (2007)

"A heavyweight in the Norwegian folk music scene, Annbjørg Lien is an accomplished Hardanger fiddle player. The beauty of her music, combined with her international flexibility (evidenced by collaborations such as Tears of Stone with The Chieftains or the main theme from the soundtrack of the film Fargo), has meant she now enjoys world-wide popularity.

She’s also a member of the Norwegian folk band Bukkene Bruse and the international ensemble String Sisters."  (Last.fm)

01 | Riv rav ruskande (The Traveller)
02 | Sula Mountain
03 | Fela (The Fiddle)
04 | Home East
05 | Masques
06 | Waltz With Me
07 | Walking Strings
08 | Dansande ut alle år (Dancing the Years All Away)
09 | The Old Car
10 | Mother and a Son

Availability: Available on CD or in MP3 format in the U.S.

Väsen - Essence

Väsen - Essence (1993)

"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)

For those of you who have heard Väsen's album with Mike Marshall and Darol Anger, track 12 may sound familiar... for those of you who have not, I may put that up next.  :)

01 | Hellstedts gamla brudmarsch
02 | Flodens död
03 | Rådmansvalsen
04 | Idas farväl
05 | Amanda
06 | Trollpåsen
07 | Spelmansglädje
08 | Polska efter Wesslén
09 | Långt ner i Småland
10 | Isbrytaren
11 | Josefins dopvals
12 | Pennknivsmördaren
13 | Urgammal vals
14 | Åkerbystålet
15 | Sugghugg
16 | Vals efter Gustaf Strutz
17 | Knuss-Olles livstycke
18 | Tulle Lulla Lova
19 | Isbrytarvalsen
20 | Branten
21 | Forslund

Availability: Out of print in the U.S., no MP3 available.

Hedningarna - Karelia Visa

Hedningarna - Karelia Visa (1999)

"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 | Veli (Brother)
02 | Mitä Minä (What Do I Sing)
03 | Alkusanat (The Beginning Words)
04 | Neidon Laullu (The Song of a Maiden)
05 | Ukkonen (Thunder God)
06 | Metsän Tyttö (Forest Maiden)
07 | Ståpäls
08 | Viima (Cold Wind)
09 | Heila (True Love)
10 | Vispolska (Song Polska)

Availability: Out of print in the US.  Physical CD available used on Amazon.  MP3 available.

Svanevit - Rikedom och gåvor

Svanevit - Rikedom och gåvor (2008)

"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 | Rikedom och gåvor
02 | Billinge
03 | När jag om morgonen
04 | Kardborren
05 | Lördagsafton
06 | Jubileumspolska
07 | Jungfrun och näcken
08 | Åleätarns vals
09 | Allt vad vi på jorden äga
10 | Enningers finaste
11 | Upp min tunga
12 | Bellmans vals
13 | Brist hjärta i stycken
14 | När som elden
15 | Tranan

Availability: Physical CD not in print in the U.S., but available new from Amazon nonetheless.  Also available in MP3.

Den Fule - Skalv

Den Fule - Skalv (1995)

"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 | Skalv
02 | Snäll
03 | Skägget
04 | Fly Med Mig
05 | Gammel-Husin
06 | Den Blå Slåtten - Ormslå
07 | Det Är Jag
08 | Munnharpevals
09 | Offerklippans Sång
10 | Koptespakte
11 | Jägaren och Älgen
12 | Rammeslåtten
13 | Pakt
14 | Storebackepolskan
15 | Vinge

Availability: Out of print in the U.S., but available used on Amazon.  No MP3 available.

Swåp - Du Da

Swåp - Du Da (2005)

"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 | Dalpilen
02 | Fattig Änka
03 | Ian's Jävla Jig / Ian's Jävla Polska
04 | Blind Mattis Leken
05 | Midsommarvisa / Olas Nya Hus
06 | Kronbron
07 | Mäster Åslund
08 | Så Rider Jag Mej
09 | Brudpolska från Orsa efter Minu Per
10 | Ore Polska
11 | Se på TV
12 | Perrong Plask

Availability: Physical copy is out of print in the US, although it can be found cheap on Amazon.  MP3 available.

JPP - History

JPP - History (1999)

"JPP Järvelän pikkupelimannit (“Little Folk Musicians of Järvelä”) formed in 1982 in the fiddling capital of Finland (and perhaps the world), Kaustinen. Born from the fiddling tradition of the Järvelä family, in Järvelä village in Kaustinen, JPP’s musical roots go back to the 19th century. Their initial spark came from the local and national folk music boom in the 60s, particularly the phenomenal national success of Kaustinen fiddler/composer Konsta Jylhä, and their distinctive skills at composing and arranging immediately emerged, forming the basis for their style, appeal and future career.

JPP members have experience and training in musical genres outside folk music, for example classical and jazz, therefore expanding the scope of their music far wider than ordinary fiddle groups. In effect, JPP have created a style all their own, one that is impossible to categorize easily and one which continuously surprises." (Last.fm)

01 | Hoppavalssi (Jump Waltz)
02 | Tjöck
03 | Lönnruutin Katrilli
04 | Mazurka
05 | I've Found a New Baby
06 | Karjalan Yleiskatrilli (Common Quadrille Of Karelia)
07 | Yö Saaristossa (A Night In The Archipelago)
08 | Ellun Sotiisi (Ellu's Schottische)
09 | Laitisen Mankeliska (For Laitinen's Mangle)
10 | Kruunupyyn Katrilli (Kruunupyy Qudrille)
11 | Hokanen Savusaunassa (Hokkanen in the Smoke Sauna_
12 | Vanha Paimenen Soitto (Old Shepherd's Tune)
13 | Riippusillan Hambo (Riippu Bridge Hambo)
14 | Kaustinen Rhapsody
15 | Marssi Amerikkalaisesta Nuottikirjasta (March From American Sheet Music Book)
16 | Lampaan Polska (Lamb's Polska)
17 | Irish Coffee
18 | Koskirannan Kiperä (A Tough One From Koskiranta)
19 | Siltatanssit-Tango (Bridge Dances Tango)
20 | Kalmari Special
21 | Valvotun Yön Valssi (Sleepless Night)
22 | Puikkoristikko (Cross of Sticks)

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

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.