We are in Norway and enjoying the celebrations as the people commemorate the date when the nation’s constitution was signed at Eidsvoll on May 17, 1814. Lots of parades and many dress in their national clothes – flags everywhere! Great day.
Just spent a couple of days with Kerst Sikkema (Netherlands) recording. Sometimes situations dictate your creativity and with this song that was definitely the case. We had tried to record Kerst playing grand piano on 2 occasions in different rehearsal studios in London – both times we had noise problems, work men outside one studio and a very noisy foot pedal! So – we started being creative with sounds and this led us to the final result.
Avondlicht
English translation : Read More
We have been in Edinburgh recording Colin Symes singing this wonderful Aaronic blessing in Gaelic – a very special moment.
Gaelic …… Read More
We have all been shocked by the horrendous happenings in Norway and I have felt for my good friends in that beautiful country. In my thoughts I kept remembering a wonderful singer Hildegunn Vederhus who I had met this May in Norway. She told me some of the stories of her land and sang some of the old folk songs. This is just one (my friend John captured roughly on his Ipad) that she remembered from her childhood.
Here is her translation – very apt after the sadness of the last few days …. Read More
Just come back from a wonderful few days in Gothenburg, Sweden recording a new CD with Viola Grafstrom. The line up was drums and percussion, double bass, piano, electric and acoustic guitars and a small 8 piece choir all recorded live in the studio.
Under Dina Vingars Skugga
When I fly back from other parts of the world to Europe, you are blinded by the colour of the land - green! The stories of our land and culture are held within folk music which has played such a big part in our history, from the celtic world of Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England, Brittany, Galicia and Asturas in Spain to the gypsy jazz and polyphonic choirs of the Balkans. In fact, over a century ago, musicians noticed that European folk music seemed to exhibit a certain personality. Today, much of this orally transmitted music has been re-imagined and fusions birthed such as folk rock, folk metal and electric folk.
Another inspiring and musically creative time in Stockholm, recording with Viola Grafström. Her second Swedish language CD and each new project seem to take her on a deeper journey into discovering her roots and traditions. We are talking about future adventures of travelling to the north of the country and hanging out with the indigenous people group, the Same.
Jag Höjer Mitt Lov
Ropar Till Dig Herre
Visited Claire and Graham Wilson who are now based in Stockholm, and worked on a Swedish recording project with Viola Grafstrom.
This will be Viola’s first recording in her heart language, Swedish. She has recorded a number of albums in English. Only a few gospel albums are recorded in Swedish. Check out a song from the project below.
Vår Herre vår Konung
