Exposé Online banner

Exposé Online

Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
Covering music from the fringes since 1993.

Reviews

Väsen — Spirit
(NorthSide NSD6004, 1997, CD)

Väsen — Whirled (Världens Väsen)
(NorthSide NSD6006, 1997, CD)

by Mike McLatchey, Published 1999-01-01

Spirit Cover artWhirled (Världens Väsen) Cover art

A Swedish revelation, Väsen is an incredible folk group, a band whose resemblance to the glory days of Kolinda, Malicorne, and Gwendal is of great relief to this reviewer. While retaining obvious influences of Swedish culture, Väsen is imbued with a strong Celtic folk air. The nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle) playing of Olov Johansson with the viola / fiddle playing of Mikael Marin is truly outstanding, weaving complex melodies and harmonies over hand drums, percussion, guitar, bazouki, and mandolin. This interplay is what reminds me of classic Kolinda so much — it's amazing how early folk cultures of different European cultures find such a common ground. While the original tracks are based in rural Swedish tradition, strong shades of Celtic and East European music hold say throughout. Whirled is the band’s latest release from 1997, and the first as a quintet. Spirit is a compilation of three prior albums as a trio (one of the albums released in France, solidifying this Breton similarity) and five previously unreleased tracks. In many ways the review of Whirled would suffice for either album, the traditional folk music done in a style similar to the French greats and Kolinda, with insistent and intense whirls of technically complex folk melodies. With the compilation, that accounts for only a portion of the music herein. The compilation shows Väsen in more traditional moods early on, with ballads and traditionals, but coming quickly to the more progressive and exciting style of Whirled as they experimented in style. Väsen is truly an excellent band, the nyckelharpa playing is truly on a high level and Olov Johansson's talent deserves at least a mandatory once through of either CD.

Filed under: Archives, Issue 16, 1997 releases

Related artist(s): Olov Johansson, Väsen

 

What's new

These are the most recent changes made to artists, releases, and articles.