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Ilmatar
Artist: Värttinä
Label: NorthSide
Genre : Nordic
World
Instruments : Accordion
Accordion, 5-row accordion
Bass, double bass
Fiddle (violin)
Guitar, 12-string
Guitar, acoustic
Kantele
Kaval
Percussion
Saxophone, soprano
Vocals
Vocals (female)
Geography : Finland
Label : Northside - http://www.noside.com
Description:
Finland's most innovative and exciting contemporary roots-based band featuring explosive vocals and a dynamic six-piece ensemble are back with a new release.
In the Finnish creation myth, "The Kalevala," Ilmatar is the Goddess of Air. She has created heaven and earth by breaking two eggs brought to her by the eagle Kokko. The songs on Ilmatar range from energetic to contemplative, from haunting to joyous, all woven with the sparkling vocal gymnastics that is the essence of Värttinä.
This is unquestionably Värttinä's best and most adventurous album to date, a dramatic leap forward. It features an incredibly imaginative use of acoustics and percussion. Producer Hughes De Courson (former member of the French folk/rock band, Malicorne) was brought in to give the band a fresh sound.
The crisp arrangements accent the band's strengths: dramatic vocal harmonies and virtuosic instrumental performances.
Ilmatar is the band's eighth album in their nearly 20-year history, released outside of North America through BMG. On Ilmatar the band explores even further the Karelian runo tradition that they began with 1997's Kokko (Nonesuch/WEA) and continued with Vihma (1998, Wicklow/BMG).
For original Finnish lyrics and translations, visit the band's official website: http://www.varttina.com/recordings/ilmatar/lyrics/.
Finland's most innovative and exciting contemporary roots-based band featuring explosive vocals and a dynamic six-piece ensemble are back with a new release.
In the Finnish creation myth, "The Kalevala," Ilmatar is the Goddess of Air. She has created heaven and earth by breaking two eggs brought to her by the eagle Kokko. The songs on Ilmatar range from energetic to contemplative, from haunting to joyous, all woven with the sparkling vocal gymnastics that is the essence of Värttinä.
This is unquestionably Värttinä's best and most adventurous album to date, a dramatic leap forward. It features an incredibly imaginative use of acoustics and percussion. Producer Hughes De Courson (former member of the French folk/rock band, Malicorne) was brought in to give the band a fresh sound.
The crisp arrangements accent the band's strengths: dramatic vocal harmonies and virtuosic instrumental performances.
Ilmatar is the band's eighth album in their nearly 20-year history, released outside of North America through BMG. On Ilmatar the band explores even further the Karelian runo tradition that they began with 1997's Kokko (Nonesuch/WEA) and continued with Vihma (1998, Wicklow/BMG).
For original Finnish lyrics and translations, visit the band's official website: http://www.varttina.com/recordings/ilmatar/lyrics/.
Reviews
- "...the four female lead singers and their accompanying musicians revel in a new vigor, tenderness, and lyricism. The result is a fierce runic drama and a privileged glimpse of future folk music in the process of birth." -- Christina Roden, Pazz & Jop 2001 Poll, The Village Voice.
- "...if you believe in goddesses on earth, you'll bow down to the four singers of Värttinä." -- Stereo Review
- "Without question, Värttinä's best record to date...a truly breathtaking musical event." -- Sing Out!
- "...the best album in Värttinä's varied catalog. Five stars (*****)" -- j.poet, Tower Pulse!
- "Throughout, the sparkling settings -- which mix traditional and modern instruments - form a postcard-perfect foundation for the celestial voices..." -- Billboard
- "...a dizzying pan-genre vision that continues to break new ice in the brisk, beautiful landscape of Scandinavian folk." -- CMJ Music Monthly
- "A stunning tour de force, its breathtaking female vocals soar atop an ever-changing six-piece instrumental backdrop." -- James Lien, CMJ New Music Report Issue 700 - Feb 5, 2001
- "This group (be warned!) is habit-forming." -- BBC Radio
- "A landmark album." -- FRoots (UK)
Track List:
| 1 | Itkin (I Cried) | 5:21 | |
| 2 | Käppee (Lousy Dude) | 2:33 | |
| 3 | Laiska (Lazy) | 4:05 | |
| 4 | Liiqua | 5:09 | |
| 5 | Milja | 4:27 | MP3 Download |
| 6 | Äijö (Grumpy Old Man) | 4:22 | |
| 7 | Kivutar (Goddess of Pain) | 3:28 | |
| 8 | Linnunmieli (Bird's Mind) | 3:57 | |
| 9 | Lieto | 3:07 | |
| 10 | Sanat (Words) | 4:37 | |
| 11 | Meri (The Sea) | 5:59 |
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