Ten years ago, Ingebjørg Bratland and Odd Nordstoga released the album “Heimafrå”. A collection shows the folk music tradition both have grown up with in inner Telemark, which also earned them a Spellemannpris. “Langt heimafrå” is the follow-up, and now the singers have left their home village to explore other traditional material and write their own songs. The album contains ten tracks and ranges from the cheerful, short folk song “Anton” to the powerful, mournful Irish song “The Evelyn Marie” about a trawler that sank off Donegal in 1975. This is also Bratland’s first English-language recording, and she sings visa with great conviction. Irish music is clearly present on the record, something that must have been Odd’s idea. Høyr Odd Nordstoga and Ingebjørg Bratland on “Far from home” in Folkemusikktimen: Bratland and Ingebjørg have brought along two Irish musicians who really help lift the songs. Not only do they raise the musical level with flutes, fiddles, Irish harp, and the frame drum bodhrán, but they are also able to show connections between Norwegian and Irish traditional music. For example, when “I mine köte ungdomsdagar” is sung in Gaelic/Irish. Synergy in a class of its own There is no doubt that Bratland and Nordstoga sound fantastic together. Their voices complement each other, and they have created great second voices that they sing without losing their individuality and disappearing into the soundscape. Ingebjørg Bratland shines particularly strongly on the record. The way she twists and bends the melodies is so full of nuances, and the details so well placed, that it is difficult not to fall head over heels for her voice. RELIABLE: Odd Nordstoga and Ingebjørg Bratland come from an area where folk music is strong, and they have both learned folk songs from Ellen Nordstoga (Odd’s mother). Photo: Universal The album also contains a lot of what one might call the signatures of Odd Nordstoga. Surprising modulations, catchy and long chord progressions, discreet but tasteful background playing that keeps the music fresh. In other words, the production level is high. A highlight of the record is the Irish interlude in the song “Nothing to be afraid of”. The song accumulates great power when the flute and fiddle strike together
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“Far from home” by Ingebjørg Bratland and Odd Nordstoga – Reviews and recommendations
