MJELVA/TAMNES
Gi Mi Pols!
Talik 89

www.talik.no
 

This is about as basic as it gets, an album of two Norwegian fiddlers exploring some of the traditions of the Røros area of the country. There hasn’t been a huge amount of regional fiddle traditional music for different parts of Norway documented on CD, so this makes a refreshing change, especially when it’s so well played. There’s none of the famous Hardangfele, it’s all the straightforward four-string instrument. Some of the cuts use the old harmony technique called groft og grant, which involves a second line played an octave below the melody. The music is most pols dances, although there are a number of other styles, but everything comes from the tradition. It makes for a lovely picture of one area Norwegian music and some of its little foibles. Excellently played, with passion and skill.

— Chris Nickson