Search - Boot :: Virvla

With all the smoke and flash of Swedish rock bands like Garmarna and Hedningarna, the ensemble Boot is a surprisingly simple and fresh concept. Ola Bäckström (from the group Swåp) contributes viola d'amore, bouzouki, and guitar; Hallbus Totte Mattsson (Hedningarna) adds lutes and other strings; and Björn Tollin (Hedningarna) backs it all up with innovative and often brilliantly understated percussion. The idea is to play dance music from Sweden, in all its variety, and to play it for dancers. These are not museum pieces; the songs are mostly traditional, but the rhythms are strong and reflect their broad world-view in the (mostly) subtle use of flamenco and Middle Eastern motifs. The delivery is aggressive and decidedly original, even on the more quiet and elegant pieces. Full of excellent tunes played with genuine spirit, Virvla is further enhanced by two CD-ROM videos to show you the dancers at work. --Louis Gibson