HARV
Töst
Northside (2002)
http://www.noside.com/

This is the second album for loud acoustic Swedish traditional band Harv. Harv is basically the Kalstader duo Magnus Stinnerbom on fiddle and Daniel Sandén-Warg on hardanger, with recent additions on Töst of Christian Svensson on percussionist and guitarist Peter Ståhlgren. They have strong ties to Hedningarna. Missing on Töst are the willow flute and jews harp, which gave Must a definite sense of rurality.

The first tune and title track ("Töst") sets the pace with its crashing cymbals, quick tempo, and increasing volume. This tune, like most on the album, is a Stinnerborn composition; and it doesn't seem so different in traditionality from the second, "Ånonschottis", a traditional polka that rocks back and forth. The third tune, however, the "Peer Reel" composed for Peer Gynt in Stavanger, is an endless assault and seems a little artier than the first two. "Marianne Sinclair" is a composed waltz that though Swedish has a Scottish lilt. It has a heavy dose of percussion as well, starting off lite and airy, but ending as a slow, heavy waltz. "Sviten" is a traditional tune with a little ultra fast tropical or maybe Saami rhythm at the end. Is this a yoik?

Most of the album really rocks, despite being acoustic...the drum kit with the heavy duty cymbals helps! Much of the fiddle work is done in duet tandem, which is a powerful phenonomenon, and the melodies are strong and uplifting, climbing skyward! You can just see those boys diving in dramatically and joyfully with their bows, interweaving with lots of percussion! ( if there's a problem with the album, it's the dearth of stylistic breaks to separate the frenzied tunes. Anyway, surely it is a Must-have for those people who liked Hoven Droven and hated the electricty...

gennett at gorge dot net

The Columbia Gypsy