Niclas Abrahamsson "Låtar i livets närhet"
Kakafon Records, 2023
The c in the Christian name of this Swedish songwriter must be underlined, since he is tired of being called „Nicklas“ all the time – everyone whose name is continually misspelt or mispronounced will sympathize with that und will love him because of this. The rest would have good reason to do so, too, because the man delivers Swedish visesang of high quality. His earliest musical influences were Evert Taube and Cornelis Vreeswijk, and we can still hear it. But (perhaps by way of a detour via Dutchman Cornelis?) his tunes and his singing style remind most of all of Boudewijn de Groot. High praise, thus. On this album he tells about love between the generations, the first song is dedicated to his father. To prevent the CD from becoming too sentimental he then sings about a brandy-case inherited from his forefathers. Because everything must pass ferryman Charon gets a song, and the funeral of a certain Bertil is reason enough for a catchy waltz like only a Swede can produce. In short: a wonderful album.
© Gabriele Haefs
Høst "Fuglesang"
GO Danish Folk Music, 2023
The three Danish and one Swedish woman got together unter the name „Høst“, which means autumn, but is also the name of one member of the band. They sing in Danish, Swedish and Icelandac, a fair bit of the Scandinavian linguistic spectre. They also sing without words, as befits the album’s titel, „Birdsong“. They warble and sing on this a-capella-CD like the jolly blackbird and the sweet nightingale, not a trace of autumn to be heard. They sing an Icelandic incantation and a long Swedish ballad about a false-hearted lover, always with the same conviction and the same musical span of their voices. Totally without words is a Norwegian tune, a Springar from the store of Hardanger-fiddler Torleif Haugeto (+1984). Poets whose songs are put to music here are Danish classical author Steensen Blicher (1782-1848) and Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns. Of his „Auld lang syne“ Høst only sing two verses, in a mercyless anglified version, and this is a scandal indeed, but the rest of the album is wonderful.
© Gabriele Haefs
Tapestri "Tell me world"
Shimi Records, 2023
Tapestri is a Welsh duo, musically devoted to Americana. Lowri Evans and Sarah Zyborska write all their songs themselves, also in Welsh (on this album only three, unfortunately), the songs have nice titles such as „Flame“ or „Memory“. The two musicians play guitar and piano and have invited quite a few colleagues into the studio. Everything sounds gentle and friendly, suitable for songs about love in all its appearances or about memories of one‘s mother. Sometimes a bit of Welsh temperament would have been nice, for example when we hear about violence in the home. Anyway, it all sounds like folk-pop from the sixties (does anyone remember the Karlins?) and is nice and pleasant to listen to.
© Gabriele Haefs
Hoëla Barbedette "Roc’n an Burtul"
Coop Breizh, 2021
Roc’h an Burtul, and the heart of the fan of Brittanny rejoices … but noone tells us what the rock (Roc’h) is up to, apparently Roc’h an Burtul is just a placename. Hoëla Barbedette plays the harp, sings, does workshops in French, English and German. Not in Breton, and on this album she only sings in French. So it’s not surprising that only two of the instrumental tracks on this album have Breton titles. Fans of Brittanny should not sink into depression because of this, the album offers beautiful harp-music from Scotland and Ireland, and even a Swedish tune, with the nice title „The foolish maidens“, a lot of music from France and a bit from Brittanny. Nice to listen to, very well played, a joy for all fans of Celtic harp.
© Gabriele Haefs
Daniel Kahn & Jake Shulman-Ment "The Building and Other Songs"
Oriente Musik, 2023
Daniel Kahn from Detroit, who came from New York via Berlin to Hamburg, is apt at surprising his audiences – he has proved to be a congenial translator into Yiddish, but does not make use of the usual repertoire, which usually is used for translations, but makes us happy with his own versions for example of songs by the great Georges Brassens. On this new album he collaborates with singer and fiddler Jake Shulman from New York. Also here do we find translations of songs by famous colleagues, like Bruce Springsteen, Bertolt Brecht and Tom Waits, to name but a few. But he also presents songs of his own, and each song on the CD is simply great and a joy for brain and ear. Impressive all the time, how he with a small chance can add a new dimension to a well-known song: Woody Guthrie’s „This land is your land“ shows by replacing „New York Island“ by „Ellis Island“ with two words the fear of immigrants who might not be let into the country after all. The last track on the album is „Tom Trauberts Kloglied“, where you simply want to dissolve into tears from pure sympathy.
© Gabriele Haefs
Perry Stenbäck & Dekadans "Kärlek och felsteg"
GO Danish Folk Music, 2023
Perry Stenbäck is a Swedish songwriter and singer, whom fate has taken to Denmark. But he continues to write and sing in Swedish and mentions great role-models, like Evert Taube and Cornelis Vreeswijk. But he also listens to music from other countries. The first song on the album sounds like a Swedish version of
Lars Martin Myhre‘s „Trøstesang“, even though the words are completely different. Written by the said Mr Myhre is the beautiful „Ängel“ („Angel“), translated into Swedish by Rune Elsen Carlsson and accompanied by the Lars Martin Myhre-typical trombone-band. The album is dedicated to Perry Stenbäck‘s son Simon Christian, who, only seventeen years old, lost his life in a traffic accident in 2020. An album of this type obviously cannot be full of overwhelming mirth, but it’s not depressing either. It’s simply lovely, varied and totally convincing musically.
© Gabriele Haefs
Cinder Well "Cadence"
Free Dirt Records, 2023
Cinder Well, this is American songwriter Amelia Barker, currently living in Co. Clare in Ireland. Irish influences are not (yet) to be heard, this is modern folk from the USA. An enthusiastic reviewer wrote that Cinder Well „adds totally new dimensions to folk“, but this is perhaps slightly exaggerated. Solid stuff would be the perfect description. All songs on this album were written by the artist herself. She loves complicated pictures, some songs must be heard a few times bevore we understand that the song „Two heads, grey mare“ is about Selkies, who are a man upon dry land and a selkie in the sea. The tunes on the other hand are usually simple and catchy, which makes for an interesting contrast. And which makes Cinder Well a very interesting new acquaintance.
© Gabriele Haefs
Lynn Miles "TumbleWeedyWorld"
True North Records, 2023
The second song on this album lures with ist Welsh title of „Hwy“, but we’ve been rejoicing too early. This song by the Canadian songwriter refers to a highway and is simply an abbreviation. But never mind, even in English nice songs can be written, as we learn here. Gentle melancholy colours the songs, titles like „Cold, cold moon“ or „Hide your heart“ say enough. They are about the state the world is in, which is not a good one, as we all know, and how this influences our personal experiences and the relations between people. This is beautiful Canadian folk in the style we’ve been loving for many years. Sometimes we are reminded of music from the 70ies, as well as of Bluegrass. Lynn Miles plays guitar and sings, and among the studio guests especially Joey Wright with his mandoline is impressive. The illustrations in the booklet are wonderful, and the texts are legible, everthing is simply made to enjoy.
© Gabriele Haefs
Knut Buen & Sigmund Groven "Kjenslevev"
Heilo Records, 2023
Norwegian fiddler Knut Buen presents himself as a poet on this album. Some of his texts he quotes, others are put to music, by himself, of course, and they are being sung by Anne Gravir Klykken and Aasmund Nordstoga. Names, which guarantee quality, and who are joined by mouth organ virtuoso Sigmund Groven Not to forget Kjetil Bjerkestrand with his Synthesizer, who makes this instrument surprisingly well suited to the Norwegian tradition, where Knut Buen is deeply rooted. Music on the mouth organ always sounds melancholy, and so it does here, even a march is somehow steeped in sorrow and wisfulness. Sometimes the melodies remind of those of great Norwegian songwriter Rudolf Nilsen (1901 – 1929), often they sound of Telemark, always they sound of Knut Buen … and Aasmund Nordstoga‘s elegant bariton adds a classical touch to the los. A CD full of wonderful surprises, especially for those with a grasp of Norwegian who now can let themselves sink into Knut Buen’s poetry.
© Gabriele Haefs
Lucy Farrell "We are only sound"
Own label, 2023
Lucy Farrell is an English songwriter with close connections to the folkscene. Sie hails form Kent and studied folkmusic in Newcastle, received BBC Radio 2’s Folk Award and now presents her first album. All songs were written by her, and her singing style leaves an immediate impression. But in case someone’s mouth is watering now: The Music on this CD is not folky or connects to Newcastle, with one exception. Track for: „Suddenly (woken by alarms) shows traces of English traditional songs. Other than that, beautiful songwriting, with thoughtful and thought inspiring texts. Wonderful when she sings in duet with Kris Drever. Perhaps the whole thing is a bit too quiet and introverted? From one who studied in Newcastle we might expect a bit of temperament, after all. Perhaps on the next album which this highly talented young woman hopefully won’t wait too long with.
© Gabriele Haefs
Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors "Strangers no more"
Magnolia Music, 2023
Drew Holcomb comes from the USA and has his roots in „contemporary American roots music“ (says the press-sheet, so it’s probably true). Seen in this light the album’s title perhaps is its programme, the artist tries to bring together what perhaps belongs together. The result is an interesting mixture, sometimes we can hear some folk, but much more often it’s pop, strengthened by rhythmical drums and enthusiastic clapping of hands. The older ones among us certainly remember Harry Nilssen and smile happily when remembering – and quite right, Drew Holcomb reminds of Nilsson at his best, and this is an absolutely convincing argument for buying the CD.
© Gabriele Haefs
Magnus Marcinkowski Pettersson "Sångar ur drömmens reservoar"
Kakafon Records, 2023
Songs from the reservoir of dreams, that’s what this man from Gotland (who now lives in Gothenburg) calls his songs. Magnus Marcinkowski Pettersson has written everything himself, he sings and plays guitar and has invited many guests with many instruments into the studio. Quite often Thomas Gustavsson’s piano dominates. The songs are about the way life goes, about family, about children, about how vulnerable childhood is (what becomes of a child who never hears a word of praise?). They are also about time, love needs time, light and bare feet. These texts which easily could have settled down on pure cliché, turn into huge surprises. A discovery for all fans of Swedish songwriting.
© Gabriele Haefs
Emily Maguire "A light to follow"
Own label, 2023
Seventh album bis this English songwriter who now lives in Australia and has a goat farm together with her partner. Sie says that these songs came into being during the Covid-lockdown, and seen in this way, the CD has no real subject, the songs grow from the desire to comfort, to show a light to those who feel they are locked into a dark hole and are trying to find a way to look out. Emily Maguire sings with a clear, expressive voice and plays a multitude of instruments: Violin, Guitar, cello, drums. Very pleasant folk-pop, and while listening you’ll certainly see a light somewhere.
© Gabriele Haefs
Herald K "Mythologies"
Lindo Records, 2023
Herald K from Vienna writes in English, but also sings songs by famous colleagues, such as Percy French‘s evergreen, „The Mountains of Mourne“, a great parody on Irish clichés, and a poem by William Butler Yeats which puts the classical Irish epic „Aislinge Oengusa“ („The Dream of Oengus“) into a modern light. Ireland ist not always in the focus of the songs, we also find much older motives, taken from the works of Ovid or Homer. Herald K’s musical style reminds of Jake Walton (who also loves to rework mythological motifs), and he is a virtuoso on a lot of instruments: Nyckelharpa, accordeon, fiddle, concertina, tinwhistle. You have to get accustomed to his English pronunciation, though .he’s got problems with the voiced s and produces words like bussy, hasslenut, rossess. Still, it’s fun to listen to these songs and to look at old myths in a new way.
© Gabriele Haefs
The Stokes "Traditional Irish Music"
Own label, 2022
A quick opinion poll: What do we expect from an album with this title? Unanimous answer: traditional Irish music. But the Stokes (according to the press sheets: „The only legitimate successors of the Dubliners“ … ) deliver an amazing amount of false labeling. Two songs are Irish and traditional: „Johnny I hardly knew ye“ and „Arthur McBride“. Other than that we find songs by Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger and Buffy Sainte-Marie, we find one by Eric Bogle („No man’s land“, here called, „Green fields of France“, the title Bogle himself is not happy about), even the „Peat Bog Soldiers“ are included, but not in the German original, but in an English translation (we are not told by whom or who wrote the original melody). Once we’ve stopped being irritated we start to appreciate the music, which is of high quality, as far as singing and instruments are concerned, so, dear Stokes: Please, record another album and call it something which corresponds to its contents, and we’ll all go and buy and recommend and be enthusiastic.
© Gabriele Haefs
Wolfgang Rieck" Geben und Nehmen"
Löwenzahn, 2023
To praise Wolfgang Rieck is like carrying coal to Newcastle, isn’t it? Unforgotten as the third man with Liederjan, oft he second man with Piatkowski and Rieck, who presented many of us for the first time with stories and songs in the dialect of Rostock on the Baltic Sea. Creator of children’s songs, storyteller, with many prestigious awards to his name … and of course every new album which we always had to wait for far too long, is a source of tremendous joy. The new one wonderfully designed, the booklet has all the texts, as well as lovely photographs of the artist on the Baltic shore, of his grandfather who died from a war injury in 1917 as a schoolkid – an illustration to Kurt Tucholsky’s song of the „Trenches“. Most songs on the album were written by Wolfgang Rieck, others, as said, by Tucholsky, by Willi Sagert and by Theodor Kramer (who truly cannot be set to music often enough). One song, inspired by a sculpture by Barlach, is in the dialect of Rostock, which goes wonderful along with Barlach’s „Laughing Hag“ – and quite a few studio guests guarantee musical diversity and never ending enthusiasm while listening.
© Gabriele Haefs
Susanne Lundeng "Følge"
Own label, 2023
Celebrated Norwegian musician Susanne Lundeng never stops surprising her fans. She is considered to be one of the most important interpreters of Northern Norway’s folk traditions, she plays the fiddle, sings, composes – and all of this she also does on the new album. But Northern Norway’s folk traditions are hardly to be found, everything sounds rather classical, probably also, because along with her normal violin she also plays the octave violin which sounds like a cello and produces the sombre, classical sound. The album is called „Company“, since as in many other regions of the world people used to believe that a guardian spirit accompanies every person on their way from the cradle to the grave. Susanne Lundeng sees the persons we meet on our way through life in this role, and the songs and instrumentals on the album tell about such encounters. A great listening experience, even for those who don’t speak Norwegian!
© Gabriele Haefs
