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Kerstin Blodig Nordisk Sjel (Northern Soul) (Westpark) A collection of favourite songs from favourite live projects and their formerly released CDs: Kerstin solo, Kelpie and Talking Water, as well as newly recorded favourites and tracks from a new studio project with Scottish songwriter/ producer Bob Melrose

More info: The new album by singer/guitarist Kerstin Blodig is a collection of favourite songs from favourite live projects and their formerly released CDs: Kerstin solo, Kelpie and Talking Water, as well as newly recorded favourites and tracks from a new studio project with Scottish songwriter/ producer Bob Melrose. Opulently modern, minimalisticly folky, bizarre and beautiful, passionate and pure, melancholy and dreamy, soulful and sad, tongue-in-cheek and humorous - she takes us on a musical journey from Norway across the North Sea to Scotland and back home again to the land of the trolls, elf kings and wood nymphs, of breathtaking landscapes and mysterious myths. People and projects involved: Kerstin Blodig: vocals, guitar, bodhrán, bouzouki, mandolin Kelpie (Kerstins duo project with Scottish fingerstyle virtuoso Ian Melrose on acoustic and electric guitar, vocals, low whistles und seljefløyte), Talking Water (Kerstin with Ian Melrose and the exquisite multi-instrumentalists Urs Fuchs on bass, piano and percussion and Wolfram Cramer von Clausbruch on accordion, keyboards und percussion) Bob Melrose on vocals, guitar, bass und keyboards and other guest musicians About Kerstin Blodig Internationally known as one of the most important interpreters of Scandinavian and Celtic world-music, her musicality shines through, not only as founding member of Touchwood, Talking Water and Norland Wind and the duo Kelpie with Ian Melrose, but also as a solo artist. With a voice described as “clear as Norwegian fjord water” and her virtuoso, groovy guitar-playing she recently released her highly acclaimed 2nd solo album Trollsang (Westpark Music) - original compositions and intricate arrangements of traditional Norwegian songs – which sets an even higher standard than her debut album, Valivann (Westpark), which won the German critics prize in 2002 and was released in North America by the renowned world music label Alula. Being one of the finest women guitarists in the acoustic scene today, she has recently become endorser of Gibson Guitars. “Most of her listeners have probably never heard so much groove, harmony, and orchestral richness coming from only one single acoustic guitar. And few would ever have connected Scandinavian folk-music to such modern, unconventional, extremely percussive playing on six strings, as guitar aficionados have only experienced from a few exceptional artists.” Akustik Gitarre “Trolls, fairies, water spirits, mountain giants, elf kings and little people – those are the main characters in Kerstin Blodig`s sung fairytales. Even though the songs are mainly traditional and medieval ballads from Scandinavia, the singer and guitarist manages, without being corny, esoteric or evoking associations of “Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter”, to transport the listener into the world of Nordic mythology. Blodig is a first-class guitarist, easily on a par with Michael Hedges or Don Ross, and she graces the traditional folksongs with her imaginative playing. Innovatively she slaps and taps the strings and, if it serves the song, lets her instrument groove. Because the arrangements of the songs are minimalistic, her virtuosity as an instrumentalist really shines. Above all this a soaring crystal-clear voice. Enchanting!” Blue Rhythm "With her voice...crystal-clear like pure water freshly flowing from a mountain source, she brings forth the various emotions with originality and passion." The Sunset Magazine ”Blodig impressed us with one of the most expressive voices I`ve ever heard.” Glåmdalen, Norway ”Her voice is a wonder, soft yet insistently riveting” Jim Fowley, USA “…this is wonderful work, excellent recording and sonic aesthetic; the performances really shine - Kerstin: You are the lady of the lake… legend has it that your spell is set the moment you whisper in the ear... - (I should know… she turned me into a newt!) Del Vezeau, Canada

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