Music : Trio Mediaeval: Folk Songs

Rating: - At Home!
I haven't been enthusiastic about this ensemble of women singers, Trio Mediaeval, on their previous CDs, singing potpourris of chant and polyphony. Their voices are more individually interesting than those of the better-known Anonymous Four, but they've 'schmalzed' up the reverb and used other little gimmicks to trick themselves out as 'spiritual-sounding.' On this CD, however, they've tapped into their Norwegian roots, utilized the special vocal quality of Norwegian women singers, caught all the trollish mystery of ancient runes and isolated fiords. We Swedes depend on our Samii and Finnish singers for equally "weird" and heathenish vocal effects, but we can't match the Norwegians. I've never heard this music before except when kayaking farm to farm on one of the northernmost fiords. Trio Mediaeval has saved something very deep and enchanting from oblivion. The samples for the MP3 on amazon are adequate to give you an idea. Me, I bought five copies in Goteborg to put in the Christmas stockings of my five living aunts in Minnesota.

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Rating: - Scandanavian images

These three young women have beautiful voices which blend magically to produce images of Norway's past - cold forests and fairy tales. Their singing, with north-european harmonies and maybe a basic instrument as accompaniment, is perfection. More please - but not so much more that this remains unusual.

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Rating: - Refreshing CD
The fresh sounds of this group make wonderful listening. Their harmonies are clear, the music is different, and they have done extensive research on the histories of the songs.

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Rating: - I just can't hear what causes all the rave reviews!
I do not find this CD nearly as wonderful as others have found it. I listen to music for many reasons and my tastes range from classical music to many other genres, including folk and traditional music. I have a large collection of Celtic music. Two reasons I listen to music are to enjoy the melodies and to relax. I simply cannot perceive the melodies here and the harmonies I find too dissonnant. It is very difficult for me to relax and enjoy this music. I cannot hear what others apparently hear in it!

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Rating: - Cool voices
This group is very, very good. Harmonies are very tight; melodies are fascinating, even if somewhat unusual for the "normal" American taste. Every selection is very high quality music. My only suggestion -- blend it with other music. A full hour plus of this trio is nearly too much; maybe it's my radio listening history, but mixing it with something a little different only accentuates how good it all is.