Gjallarhorn Rimfaxe/Rimemane (Westpark Music/Vindauga Music LTD., 2006)
CD Review by Patty-Lynne Herlevi
Gjallarhorn's previous releases, Sjofn and Grimborg have been enchanting my ears with their weave of magic and music for some time now. The Finno-Swedish quartet's latest recording, Rimfaxe acts as an installment for a series of fairy tale-primal recordings. A mystical white horse also appears on the cover with the group's vocalist Jenny Wilhelms who herself could be confused with a flaxen-haired maiden that often appears in medieval Nordic songs.
Fans of traditional Nordic music, especially the stuff that hails back to
Medieval times are in for a treat and the group also seduces our primal roots
with stories about horses, such as the story about a king's remarkable horse,
simply called Grey who swims across the waters to be with the king and dies in
the process. Well, the tales usually end tragically on this disc such is the
nature of Scandinavian lore. We are introduced to a vengeful sister who reaps
karma in the Finno-Swedish medieval ballad, The Sisters. Perhaps that one comes
with a happy ending…
We dance around a bonfire to what sounds like electronic beats and bass on track
2, but the song is actually performed on acoustic instruments as far as I can
tell. The end result reminds me of another Finno-Swedish traditional group,
Hedningarna. Surprisingly the opening and titular track resembles early Kate
Bush's soaring work (Lion Heart comes to mind). Similar to Bush, Wilhelms'
vocals reach lofty heights, often climbing to the stratospheric range,
especially when she performs Swedish cow-calling, (kulning). Bruce Swedien's
sonic design and Ralf Nyqvist's lush orchestral arrangements (performed by the
St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic), also recall Bush's repertoire.
And speaking of Bush, an Irish element is also present on this recording. The
closing track, Dawn features Wilhelms singing in the Irish Sean-nòs style and
new
Gjallarhorn member Goran Mansson playing a Swedish pastoral piping tune. The
previous light-bearing spiritual track, Stephen highlights a vocal style not
unlike Gaelic mouth music. But none of this comes as a surprise since
Gjallarhorn plays medieval traditional music hailing throughout Scandinavia and
the musicians decorate all their repertoire with a global view. This remarkable
group takes us back to our ancient primal roots, reminds us of the stories of
our ancestors while never allowing magic or mysticism to fade into history.
Whether we know it or not, we need groups such as
Gjallarhorn to keep us in
touch with the wonders of the natural world and our mystical connection to all
those glorious creatures, both real and imagined. And you'll find everything
here from horses to mermaids to Gregorian chant-inspired vocals rich in
chromatics. You might feel that the musicians cast a spell over you. And they
do.
Buy the CD from Amazon UK:
Rimfaxe.
This review was originally posted on
Cranky Crow Whole Music.
New reviews and an article on the Music of Provence have also been posted on
CCWM.
World Music Central
http://worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20060922205731857