Track Listing

1. Suvetar, Goddess Of Spring - Gjallarhorn
2. Ahma - Maria Kalaniemi
3. Bamboo Honey - Wimme
4. Polska/Sold Or Sale (Live) - Vasen
5. The Lever - Harv
6. The Full Rigged Ship/The New Rigged Ship - Aly Bain
7. Polska After Johan Erik Taklax - Maria Kalaniemi
8. Bulldog (Live) - Hedningarna
9. Laiksa - Varttina
10. Seagull (Live) - Swap
11. High Mountains, Low Valleys (Live) - Ranarim
12. The Big Polska - Nyckelharpa Orchestra
13. Riverside Aby - Karen Tweed
14. Greenest Branch - Garmarna
15. Malort - Hoven Droven

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64133 in Music
• Released on: 2001-10-02
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Compilation
• Dimensions: .19 pounds

From Amazon.com
This is the third album in NorthSide's compilation series that's perennially billed as "cheaper than food." At three dollars, it's hard to argue. This Minneapolis-based label is known for its eclectic mixture of Nordic roots music, with artists espousing both conventional and modern interpretations of their homeland sounds, be they from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, or Samiland. Fiddles, acoustic guitars, accordion, and percussion abound here, but unorthodox instruments such as synthesizers, electric guitar, and didjeridoo occasionally surface. From the shamanistic techno stylings of Wimme to the entrancing, poppy vocal harmonies of Värttinä to the lively strings of the Nyckelharpa Orchestra to the electronica-meets-early-music vibe of Garmarna's latest, it is hard to deny the passion and artistry of these groups. Some tracks are more outstanding than others, and the appreciation of each lies purely with an individual listener's taste. Some of the artists represented herein are far more diverse than their singular entries would suggest, but this disc offers a good starting point for new listeners. There album also includes four exclusive live tracks as a bonus. Hey, for three dollars, are you really gonna complain? --Bryan Reesman