Susanne Lundeng - Forunderlig ferd (Strange Journey) cdRoots Home Page More music from Norway and Susanne Lundeng

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Susanne Lundeng
Forunderlig ferd (Strange Journey) (KKV)

14 new pieces by the Norwegian fiddler, both original and traditional. Her backing band includes Knut Erik Sundquist on bass, Bjørn Andor Drage on keyboards, Håvar Bendiksen on guitars and accordion and Arnfinn Bergrabb on drums and percussion.

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Lang dag
Var Februar

"In the fiddle-rich traditions of Norway and Sweden, there are plenty of CDs released of excellent fiddling and fine tunes, forming an archive of ongoing tradition. Susanne Lundeng, whose home is in the Lofoten Islands off Norway's northwest coast, is up there with the greatest, and her music springs from tradition and its extension in her own composition. Her CDs, though, are not mere expositions of tunes, style or skill, but very varied music full of invention, taking full advantage of the recording medium. They're not fiddle albums but music albums. "For this one, her band comprises Bjørn Andor Drage on piano, synth and harmonium, Håvar Bendiksen on electric and acoustic guitars and accordeon, drummer and percussionist Arnfinn Bergrabb and double bassist Knut Erik Sundquist. Here we get the two poles of her music, from serene beauty in the stately, soaring wedding marches of which she is a prime exponent - typified this time by the exquisite "Brurmarsj Fra Sørfold" - to the stamping and stalking physical energy she brings to polsdans and other dance tunes. There's the quirkiness and hinted humour of her own compositions such as the lurching, time-twisting, drum-clattering, accordeon extemporising of "Duve Duve" or the floating spaciousness of "En Alvorsprat," and, as on earlier albums, occasional songs the title track and traditional "Herr Ole," where her singing matches the quality of her fiddle tone." - Andrew Cronshaw, fROOTS

More recordings by Susanne Lundeng

The record label says:
– Strong mood settings from one of our most interesting and innovative folk music artists!

Susanne Lundeng is perhaps Norway's most prominent contemporary folk music artist and composer, mixing her own special music with traditional styles and contemporary techniques.

This CD features 14 new and exciting tracks, some of them based on traditional folk tunes. Her backing band includes Knut Erik Sundquist on bass, Bjørn Andor Drage on keyboards, Håvar Bendiksen on guitars and accordion and Arnfinn Bergrabb on drums and percussion.

Needless to say, Susanne Lundeng on violin is the centrepiece of the music that is also interwoven with her vocals. The CD was recorded at Hønsehuset lydstudio in Bodø and mixed at Studio Nordraak by Are B. Simonsen. Susanne has produced the CD herself; her fourth record in collaboration with KKV.

Other recordings by Susanne Lundeng:

Drag (1994) (Pull)
Folk music from Nordland county is an exceptional phenomenon, which can also be said of Susanne Lundeng. It is a unique experience to hear her fresh and innovative tunes played on her old-style popular fiddle. On this record she is backed by her own band. Listen closely and you'll hear the distant whisper and tug of the alluring ocean.

Ættesyn (1997) (Family views)
Through fiddler Susanne Lundeng, the northern Norwegian folk music tradition lives on in her very own personal style. Her performance captures the rich traditions of the folk music from her region.

Vals til den røde fela (2000) (Waltz to the red fiddle)
This instrumental record has a rich mixture of emotions and moods, solemn and spirited, grieving and gay, in a unique way that is all Susanne Lundeng's. She has composed the tunes herself and reveals her deep roots in folk music. Her musical palette is innovative, featuring rock, jazz and contemporary music, and her special sound brings folk music to a wider audience.