Deliverance by The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc
Since 2009 ‘The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc’ have captivated audiences throughout the world with their unique blend of music, onstage sense of humour and inter-band ‘banter’.
“Deliverance” is their eagerly awaited follow up to their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album and features traditional and self-penned material played with passion, vigour and an intensity for which they have become known.
Of the new album, band member, Kevin Henderson said “We took our time with this album and we are very happy with how it has turned out. I think this album has seen a definite progression from the first album in terms of the bands sound and with arrangement ideas for example. Theres also a higher percentage of our own compositions on this album compared to the first but we still have a lot of focus on the traditional music from where we all come from.”
Olav Luksengård Mjelva - Norway - Hardanger Fiddle & Octave Fiddle Kevin Henderson - Shetland - Fiddle
Anders Hall - Sweden - Fiddle & Viola
Officially released in Scandinavia February 10th and released in the UK/rest of the world on April 1st.
1. Talons Trip to Thompson Island
(Kevin Henderson, MCPS/PRS)
Kevin composed this tune in the summer of 2013 after a fantastic week at the Boston Harbor Fiddle School in the USA. At the end of the week all the teachers had to do something to raise money for the following years event as part of a raffle. All the teachers decided to compose tunes and someone could buy the rights to name them. The naming rights to Kevins tune was bought by a great women named Teresa Allen.
2. Flinken
(Trad.)
A polska from Johan Johansson Flink (1827-1905). His father moved to Sweden from Finland when he was 16 years old and enlisted in the Swedish army. He later moved to Järvsö, Anders, hometown, where the family settled. Johan was a student of From-Olle, the most famous fiddler from the parish of Järvsö.
3. Hjaltaren
(Olav L. Mjelva, TONO)
Hjaltland was the old Norse name for Shetland. Olav composed a halling with the vikings in mind.
4. The Hen Hunt
(Olav L. Mjelva, TONO)
In 1953, Orkney was battered by one of the worst storms in the island,s recorded history with winds up to 125mph. At that time the egg industry in Orkney was huge with a poultry population of 800.000 of which 250.000 were lost as a result of the storm.
5. Deliverance (Befrielsen)
(Olav L. Mjelva, TONO)
Olav composed this tune whilst on tour in the beautiful north of Norway during the dark, long winter months. At the end of the tour, the long awaited sun reappeared in the mountain tops.
6. Djävulspolskan (The Devil´s Polska)
(Trad.)
A "Kringelpolska" from the fiddler Snickar-Erik Olsson (1824-1905) from Ovanåker, Sweden. Even though he was a big, well built man, people were often surprised how virtuostic a fiddler he was.
7. In the Lounge
(Olav L. Mjelva, TONO)
A tune dedicated to the legendary pub "The Lounge" in Lerwick, Shetland where we have had some good times.
8. Halls Lilla Vals (Hall´s little Waltz)
(Jon Erik Hall)
This beautiful tune was composed by the fiddler Jon-Erik Hall (1877-1948) from Bergsjö, Sweden which we learned from Draupner, a great group from Hälsingland in Sweden.
9. Da Scallowa Lasses / Lorna s Reel
(Trad / Willie Hunter, Anvil Music)
The first tune is a great traditional Shetland reel. Scalloway is the ancient capital of Shetland and served as a base for the Shetland Bus, a top secret operation during World War 2, providing a vital link between the UK and Nazi-occupied Norway. Lorna´s Reel was composed by the late great Willie Hunter who many believe to be the finest fiddler ever to come from Shetland. This view is shared by Kevin who feels extremely privileged to have been taught by him.
10. Nødåret (The Year of Sorrow)
(Olav L. Mjelva, TONO)
Some years are good and some are not. This was made during a not so great year.
Tracklist
| 1. | Talons Trip to Thompson Island | 3:19 |
| 2. | Flinken | 5:48 |
| 3. | Hjaltaren | 4:15 |
| 4. | The Hen Hunt | 2:43 |
| 5. | Deliverance (Befrielsen) | 4:46 |
| 6. | Djävulspolskan (The Devil´s Polska) | 4:59 |
| 7. | In the Lounge | 4:36 |
| 8. | Halls Lilla Vals (Hall´s little Waltz) | 4:13 |
| 9. | Da Scallowa Lasses / Lorna´s Reel | 3:44 |
| 10. | Nødåret (The Year of Sorrow) | 4:43 |
Credits
All arrangements by The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc.
Recorded in Ål Church, November 2015.
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Audun Strype/ Strype Audio.
Cover design by Rune Mortensen.
Band photos by Robert Novak.
License
All rights reserved.
‘The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc’ seek to bring the historical links and traditions alive and present them in an exciting new fashion, while also remaining faithful to the roots of each tradition.
While blending the individual styles together, they never-the-less allow each distinctive flavour to unfold into a combined sound that’s unique, meaningful, intense and invigorating.