Search - Vasen :: Essence

A hard-to-find but really great CD of Swedish folk music

Bart Brashers | Seattle, WA USA | 01/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Vaesen's 3rd CD, and (except for a live recording on DRONE and a compilation album on NorthSide) the last before they added percussionist André Ferrari. This is the last CD where they play largely traditional music, including their own tunes composed 'within the tradition'. After adding André, they play almost exclusively their own tunes, which sound perhaps a bit less traditional.Several of my nyckelharpa friends feel that this is their best CD. The musicianship is amazing, and the arrangements are awesome. They used several of these tunes during a theater production in Uppsala, so they have a very polished feel to them. Olov shows once again why he won the very first Nyckelharpa World Championships, in both 'old nyckelharpa' and 'modern nyckelharpa' classes!This is a great CD. Buy it!"

You're there!!

Kenny b Natural | 10/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the 1st Vasen disc I heard and I was intrigued by the deft musicianship and compositions. There are some truly superb Swedish traditional chestnuts on here as well as some equally great originals in the style. I even told Roger Talroth I think his solo guitar piece "Forslund" is about the most beautiful piece of music I've ever heard in my life! There are many more self-penned tunes on here that are well crafted like, "Amanda, Trollpasen and Sugghugg(porkslash)".The real beauty is that they take their music seriously but,not themselves. I happen to really like the addition of a percussionist on their last 2 discs but, this 1 is without a doubt a priceless gem and I don't know what my life would be like if I'd never heard Swedish music."

Vasen means Essence

Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 10/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the most original traditional music you'll ever hear, Vasen performing acoustically before the group went into techno-pop. (Their techno-pop isn't bad, but this is better!) Even if you have to pay a collector's price, you need to hear the real thing!"