New albums from Zenobia and Karen Mose

Zenobia
I Vintermørkets Hal

Go’ Danish Folk Music GO1810

Karen Mose
Vingefang

Go’ Danish Folk Music GO0310

Finally, vocal albums seem to be getting a little less rare in Denmark, and this pair are real gems. The second release from Zenobia is very apt, an album for winter, as soft, drifting and mystical as snow itself, but with plenty of warmth. The trio of voice, accordion and piano is filled out with guests on several cuts, always to excellent effect, whether it’s harmonica blending with accordion on the instrumental “Julepolonaise” or a string quarter offering sublime backing to the gentle “Der Er Ingenting I Verden Så Stille Som Sne.” Across the entire disc the arrangements are wonderful, never a note more than is needed, stripped down yet wonderfully full. There are surprising moments, but always there’s ample beauty. These three women are really used to each other now, and there’s a sense of confidence and adventure in what they do here, which is making something that’s essentially timeless. Many of the words and melodies are old, some have religious origins, but Zenobia moulds them so there’s a sense of the whole, a real flow to the entire album. With this they really fulfil the potential they showed on their debut.

Karen Mose is on the disc, singing backup (with others) on one track. But she takes centre stage with Vingefang, a mix of traditional and more modern material that’s a perfect delight. Working with a relatively small group, there’s ample imagination going on here and some absolutely stellar performances, not least from Mose herself. She’d said in an interview that she wanted to use songs she’d heard growing up, and most of these probably are. But they’re refracted through an adult prism, so “Hamborger Bro,” for instance, is filled out, and has a glorious organ solo as its climax. Even a common song like “Lørdag Aften” is transformed, using just voice and bouzouki. Dobro and pedal steel feature often, to great effect, whether as atmosphere on “Sorgen” or spice on “Blomstrende Jasminer.” The connecting thread is Mose’s voice, a superbly sensitive instrument that’s as effective overdubbed on “Farvel Min Ven” or on the indie-folk sounding “Tåren.” About the only piece that seems slightly out of place is the country song “Sig Mig” – not for the song, but because it seems more grounded than the others, which have a lush, floating quality. That’s nowhere more true than on the opening title track (from Mose’s own pen), an odd melody that becomes quite psychedelic with swopping strings and voice working together over some excellent drumming, and ending up in territory halfway between Mazzy Star and “Lucy In The Sky with Diamonds.” Karen Mose has been an excellent singer for years. The only question is, with this so good, why did it take her so long to make a solo record?

Helene Blum - Liden Sol

Since it hasn’t been that long since Helene Blum’s first real solo album, which had taken several years to record, the appearance of this is a pleasant surprise. More than pleasant, in fact. She uses the musicians from the touring band she shares with her husband, the remarkable fiddler Harald Haugaard (who here also plays some nifty octave mandolin and even contributes a brief vocal, which might well be a first for him).

Much of the material is older, although not from the folk tradition per se, with the exception of the “Julefest” set. Whatever the source, it’s treated with infinite care and beautifully arranged, with the two originals being standouts – “Decembernat” is a beautiful a song as any around and would make an excellent single. There are plenty of little delights here, such as the octave mandolin hook on “Gennem Mary Og Ben” are the lovely delicacy of “Der Er Noget I Luften.” Drawn from so many sources, the sense of continuity between tracks speaks volumes for the work that’s gone into this, making it extremely cohesive. And keep it going for the hidden 10th track that offers a breathtaking mandolin solo.

Dreamers Circus

The debut from this Danish/Swedish trio might be short – it’s just a five track EP – but it bristles with ideas and confidence. Rather tan a new venture it seems as if they’ve been playing together for years. The compositions from Ale Carr are little gems, but it’s the arrangements that give hints at the real maturity here. They’re not a vehicle for any single musicians, but for the band working as a whole. The mix of piano, violin and cittern works surprisingly well and gives them the range to encompass everything from folk to jazz and even into the sort of modern chamber music that’s so European. Yet there’s a real intimacy to everything, a warmth and friendliness. A couple of guests help out, with loveliest contribution coming from Sofia Karlsson, whose gentle, wordless singing on “Idas Farväl” beautifully summing up the melancholy of the track. This is a band with a great future. It’s not folk, it’s not something that sits easily in any pigeonhole. It’s just good music.

Various Artists Højbystævnet 2009

Every September in Højby Stævnet in Denmark there’s a festival for dancers. The one-time village is now part of the city of Odense but for a few days it returns to its rural roots. This double CD, recorded at the 2009 festival, captures dance music played by musicians from Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Unsurprisingly, the Danes predominate, with Jensen and Bugge (and Kristian Bugge seems to have been everywhere in Danish music in 2010) and Bøg, while Norway offers the twin fiddles of John Ole Morken and Jørgen Nyrønning and Sweden has Gässbiköllor. While there’s delicacy to the Norwegian contingent, the others are much more about the people out of the dancefloor for a rollicking good time. While most of the pieces are short, Bøg do offer one lengthy set – at over 12 minutes, guaranteed to tax all but the hardiest dancers, who seem to love it. Overall it’s an object lesson in the different ways the Nordic nations make music. Norway is introspective, Sweden a bit more shadowed but still able to kick up a leg, while Denmark is ready, smiling and eager to cut a rug. In the trust sense of the word, this is folk music. Not for everyone, admittedly, but most definitely Nordic roots.

Phønix 20

Phønix
20
Go’ Danish Folk Music GO 0710

Phønix were one of the first bands of the second Danish folk revival, starting life in 1990 and going through several line-ups since, with the most recent and excellent four-piece stable for several years now and producing some superb work, such as this collection’s lead-off track, the previously unlreleased Hvor Du Vender Dig. Several well-known Danish names have passed through the ranks, including fiddlers Harald Haugaard (in the very early days) and Kristine Heebøll, but two folk have anchored the group through its existence, accordionist Jesper Vinther and clarinettist/bass clarinettist Anja Præst Mikkelsen. There are several live tracks here, proof (if needed) that this is a band that can deliver the goods onstage, and with a real dynamism that’s the equal of any rock band (including obligatory percussion solo). As a primer, it’s an excellent guide to the group, who seem to be just getting into their stride after two decades.

Afenginn/Frank London

Afenginn are collaborating on a project with klezmer legend Frank London. Those at Womex last year might have seen their joint appearance (which was excellent). This is going to be part of the event known as Global Village DK/NY 2010. There will be performances in Denmark on November 4,5 and 6 (shame it’s not during Womex, but oh well).
This project has been sponsored by the Danish Cultural Ministry as part of its DANY project which seeks to foster artistic relations between Denmark and NY.
Given the way Afenginn has been spreading its musical wings in recent years – working with a choir, scoring a ballet, etc. – this promises to be a very interesting collaboration.
For those wondering what other Danish artists are collaborating with Americans, the answer is Dalia, Lelo Nika and Laila Skovmand, although no details on exactly what they’ll be doing.

Pørtners Komplot

Pørtners Komplot
Oldefar På Tour
Go’ Danish Folk Music

The four piece known as Pørtners Komplot don’t surface often (this is their second full-length disc) but whenever they do it’s a joy. This CD is based in part on a music book that belonged to the great-grandfather of band member Johan Toftegaard Knudsen, but with a few diversions. They don’t try to recreate the old music. Instead they put their own spin on it. It’s still folk music without any doubt, and indubitably Danish. Boasting nine instruments between them, the quartet can inject different colours and textures. Throughout the play is inspired and joyful (Obo-Polka genuinely floats) and there are moment of wonderful grace, like Genglang Af Nr. 70/Novermbervals. But they can also be completely manic, as on the hopsa På Bjerget. That these are musicians familiar with dance music is beyond question. That they perform it all superbly and with plenty of joyful imagination is evident from a single listen. One of the brightest releases to come out of Denmark this year.