Search - Arve Moen Bergset, Annbjorg Lien, Steinar Ofsdal :: Bukkene Bruse

The greatest modern and traditional Norwegian folk group!

Elaine Krasny | Milwaukee, WI USA | 06/18/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you love celtic mouth music or any fiddle playing, this album satisfies beyond compare. It is definitely ethnic Norwegian but includes techno norsk music, as well as old and new versions of traditional tunes. The Hardanger fiddle player is Annbjorg Lien, who is famous world wide for her own playing and albums, especially "Prism". I just bought this on cassette, but am now buying the CD, because I couldn't bear not having this album at hand any time!"

Required listening for prospective norsk folk music fans

Pat Mitchell | Larkspur, CA United States | 06/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This, the first of three recordings by one of Norway's best-known folk-music groups belongs in any collection of tradition-rooted Norwegian music. Annbjoerg Lien plays fiddle, mostly hardanger fiddle, Arve Moen Bergset does vocals, fiddle and hardanger fiddle, while Steinar Ofsdal plays sea flute, willow pipe, tin whistle, jews harp, ditze, cello and keyboards. They execute superbly on upbeat tunes, especially Til Saetersdal and Fanitullen (The Devil's Tune, a norsk folk favorite). Close your eyes and listen to Ofsdal's flute as he soothes your mind on Miriam Voggelaat, a tune partly inspired by his newborn daughter. Boen is another soulful tune with Lien steady on the hardingfele (hardanger fiddle). The group changes tempo smoothly on Hodalsbrura (The Hodals Bride) with Lien wailing alternately contemplative and celebratory playing the fiddle harp. Maalfrid Mi Fruve, a familiar norsk folk song with several versions receives a more serious treatment on this recording better capturing the drama of the story. This is my favorite of the three Bukkene Bruse albums; don't pass this one by."