EINAR OLAV LARSEN TRIO
Lysblåin
Etnisk Musikklubb 84

www.emcd.no
einarolavlarsen.no/
 

Fiddler Einar Olav Larsen is probably best known as part of the Norwegian-Finnish band Frigg. But here, in company with pianist Daniel Rossing Trustrup (who has worked with Chuck Berry) and bassist Audun Larsen, he goes deeper into his Norwegian roots. The result is almost a Norse ceilidh, the keyboard and fiddle playing off each other, and swinging with all the accomplishment of jazz or blues (check out the brief extra track of “How Come You Do Me Like You Do?”). The playing is vibrant and sophisticated, but that doesn’t stop it reaching deep into the tradition, proof that the two can blend very well. This might be all instrumental but this music really sings, never more than on the lengthy “Visetone” and the “Ringlender 2,” both of which really soar, letting the musicians create mighty sparks. It’s not just music for folk lovers and dancers – this is a much more encompassing sound.

— Chris Nickson