Welcome here, kind stranger.

An outsider’s perspective or, as it can sometimes be called in my native Ireland, “the stranger’s gaze”, can sometimes perplex or puzzle natives of the place the so-called “stranger” is supposedly viewing. These introductory words to this richly varied compilation of contemporary folk, traditional and roots-based music from Norway are aimed primarily at people who are perhaps coming to this music as outsiders or strangers—non-Norwegians. As the old song goes, “You are welcome here, kind stranger.” 

Tom Sherlock have kindly written some words for folkCD.no, and you can read the whole text below.

 

Óme – a dance performance 

Dancer and choreographer Silje Onstad Hålien and musician Sivert Holmen. 

THE ARTISTS

Alexander Aga Røynstrand  Aurom  Benedicte Maurset h  Bjørn Kåre Odde  Britt Pernille Frøho  Camilla Hole Trio  Erlend VIken Trio  GABBA. Gangar  Gjermund Larsen Trio. Gjevre, Odde & Vårdal. GKN5. Ingfrid Breie Nyhus  Ingunn Bjørgo Band. Jo Asgeir Li  Johanne Løkensgard Mjøs & Sigrid Stubsveen  Julie Alapnes  Kajsa Balto. Karl Seglem. Kim Rysstad. Kvarts  Kviven duo  Lillebo & Stubsvee  Madam Jam. Marja Mortensson. MOJNA. Rasmus Kjorstad. Sandum/Tallroth. Silje Onstad Hålien & Sivert Holmen – Óme. Sivert Holme  Stampestuen. Synnøve Brøndbo Plassen  Ævestaden. Østerlide  Ånon Egeland & Mikael Marín
 

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Welcome here, kind stranger.

An outsider’s perspective or, as it can sometimes be called in my native Ireland, “the stranger’s gaze”, can sometimes perplex or puzzle natives of the place the so-called “stranger” is supposedly viewing. These introductory words to this richly varied compilation of contemporary folk, traditional and roots-based music from Norway are aimed primarily at people who are perhaps coming to this music as outsiders or strangers—non-Norwegians. As the old song goes, “You are welcome here, kind stranger.”

Norway is one of the least densely populated places in Europe and averages one person to every square kilometre. There are, mind you, quite a lot of kilometres squared—more than 385,000—which makes Norway almost the size of California. The more than five and a half million Norwegians share a society that enjoys strong civil cohesion predicated on a shared common history that is profoundly conscious and respectful of regional differences. Norwegians value a connectedness to nature, and they certainly live amongst marvellous natural beauty—mountains, fjords, sea and sky. They celebrate the open-air life and, to my outside eye, seem to share a pride in their sense of togetherness. The much envied material and mineral wealth of Norway, only really exploited since the early 1970s, is matched by the continued presence of an immensely rich cultural capital that is reflected, in part, by the musical expression you can listen to here.

The music you can hear on these discs reflects a strong sense of place. So many of the recorded pieces are clearly rooted in a tradition that has been transmitted over decades and, in some cases, centuries. The French sometimes use the term “terroir” to refer to the complete natural environment in which a particular wine or food is grown. For me the term can equally apply to music, and in the case of Norway there is a vast variety of terroirs to explore. This collection allows you to hear the microtones of Hardanger fiddle music, unaccompanied song, metal-inspired reinterpretations of old dance pieces, contemporary jazz stylings informed by traditional influences, tralling (mouth music), joiks from a number of the indigenous Sámi artists represented here, music for dancing alongside music for reflection. A vibrant Nordic sound resonates from these recordings, an energy that reflects the stark and beautiful landscape of the country, the valleys and the traditions of the people that have inhabited them. As the wider world continues to embrace many different aspects of Nordic culture—film, gastronomy, design and literature—it is surely time for Nordic music to be featured just a little more prominently on that list.

Finally, it could not escape my attention that the majority of the tracks on this compilation, expertly assembled by FolkOrg and Music Norway, feature women contributors—a further example of Norway leading the way.

Tom Sherlock
Artist manager 

 

folkCD.no 2023