This trio shines!
Brianna Neal | USA | 11/30/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Creative, neo-Celtic arrangements of Holiday favorites by Norland Wind. Harpist Thomas Loefke and multi-instrumentalists Kerstin Blodig and Ian Melrose take the listener on a transporting December's journey that is both calming and subtly stirring. Elements of Celtic, jazz, folk and traditional holiday music are blended into pleasing ensemble works that will be enjoyed all through the year. On this release, the third that I know of by "Norland Wind" or some semblance thereof, Melrose and Blodig get more of a chance to show off their own compositions, which fit in well with Loefke's. Kerstin Blodig also has a release of Scandinavian ballads out, "Valivann", on which Loefke and Melrose are guest musicians. Other pleasing and inventive adaptations of Christmas music by Celtic harpists that you might enjoy include: "Celtic Christmas I" and "Celtic Christmas II" by Kim Robertson, and Loreena McKennitt's "A Winter Garden: Five Songs for the Season" and "To Drive the Cold Winter Away"."