Thursday 10 January 2013

Harald Haugaard – Den Femste Søster

For the unfamiliar, Harald Haugaard is probably one of the very best fiddlers playing anywhere in the globe today, up in the same league as the glorious Martin Hayes. The Dane started out in Sorten Muld, who were quite possibly the first folktronica band back in the ‘90s, then spent a decade as half of the fiddle/guitar duo of Haugaard & Høirup. Since then he’s been working solo, leading a band that includes his wife, singer Helene Blum. Den Femste Søster sees him moving away from the more prog-like aspects of his solo debut, although in its own way it’s every bit as ambitious. Largely self-composed, there’s plenty of light and shade, and fire to illuminate the more reflective pieces. The title cut roars out of the blocks, sprightly and challenging, then shifting to a darker mood partway through, while the stately march of The King Arrives carries plenty of pomp. The centrepiece here, though, is undoubtedly the string quartet in three movements. It’s very much an ensemble piece and Haugaard pushing and testing himself as a composer. Interestingly, the final movement sounds very much like a folk melody. But given that he has deep roots in traditional Danish folk, that’s not too much of a surprise, and it’s gratifying that he does indulge them a little on this release. Three tracks look back, and Rimmen echoes those old duo days, just fiddle with Roger Tallroth's guitar, stripped down and beautiful, which the totally solo Dødens Vals is pure joy, a masterclass in control and tone. The real pleasure is that on this release Haugaard isn’t out to impress. He sounds happy in his own skin and that comes through in his playing. Yes, he has incredibly fleet fingers, but what really communicates is the enjoyment of the musicians and the way the man handles his instrument, with some complete assurance that there’s the sense of someone doing exactly what he loves. Kudos, too, to the other musicians, who all play with relish, and to Blum’s exquisite vocals on the closing cut.

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