Search - Scottish Traditional, Latvian Traditional, Danish Traditional :: Midnight Sun: Traditional Nordic Melodies

Nordic Swing

Paul T. Davis | Nashua, NH | 02/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Who would have thought the Scandinavians make such happy music? This is like good jazz by way of a stirring Celtic band, and reminds me of the best of the Baltimore Consort. The songs come from the Nordic countries and also Scotland, Estonia, Latvia and even Canada, and they sound very lively played by an ensemble that uses familiar instruments like fiddle and cello, guitar and clarinet, and unusual instruments like bazouki, bodhran, bagpipes, and accordion.I took a chance on this just because the whole concept seemed so outrageous, but I'm usually pleased with Dorian's recordings. This one is exceptionally good."

I dare you not to love this music

NotATameLion | Michigan | 12/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Grand Poobah of Ragamuffins, Brennan Manning, reminds us to "think big about God." So why not think big about music? After all, God has created music.Still, as I engaged in that perpetual ritualistic struggle familiar to all music fans (trying to peel off the plastic wrapping), I thought to myself: "Traditional Nordic Melodies??? I know Dorian's a great label...but TRADITIONAL NORDIC MELODIES???"Then I placed it in my CD player and pushed play...Take my advice friends--this is a GREAT recording! Dorian has done it again. I dare you not to love this music. From the very first song, "Mandom, mod och morska man," I knew this would be one of my all time favorite recordings. It is. This music is inventive. This music is full of passion. This music made me like the clarinet...an instrument that I've despised since my days in middle school. Each song is a mini-masterpiece. My three favorite songs are probably the first and last tracks as well as "Halb Sirp"--a song about a woman who is frustrated with trying to harvest with a poorly made sickle. Sarah Granskou's vocals make the song outstanding. The instrumental playing is top rate throughout the whole disc.I urge you to get a copy of "Midnight Sun: Traditional Nordic Melodies" today. It is outstanding."

The Best Non-Christmas Christmas Album

Stephen E. Witham | Somerville, MA USA | 12/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"None of this is actual Christmas music, but, besides its other virtues and interest for what it *is*, it all *sounds* like Christmas music. In that way Midnight Sun fills Eno's definition of ambient music: it is rewarding both close up and in the background. And of course the background is where everyone plays Christmas music.



Play the first clip to the end, up to the point where it breaks into a sort of Delta blues. (I had to save the RealAudio file to disk, rename it to something.ram and start it manually.)"