Gamarna was one of the first Swedish bands to blend dance tunes and songs from the ballad tradition, much like a Scandinavian version of the Irish group De Dannan. Garmarna is a remastered version of their self-titled 1993 debut EP, which has been expanded on CD by the addition of six songs from their 1992 demo. After those recordings were made, the band went on to become one of Sweden's most innovative folk groups. And even though all the tracks here are acoustic, with none of the amplified instruments and drum loops the group experimented with on later recordings, the music still exhibits an adventurous spirit. The musicians use a wide assortment of instruments--hurdy-gurdies, Jew's harps, bouzoukis, guitars, and violins--to create sonic tapestries that weave together medieval-sounding harmonies with modern rhythms. Their "modern-ancient" sound is a perfect backdrop for Emma Hardelin, whose vocals add a soft edge to the sometimes dark ambiance of the music. (One band member is credited on percussion and death grunts.) The music on Garmarna is more folk-oriented than most of their later recordings, but the power of these performances shows that the band learned the rules of traditional music, before they went on the break them. --Michael Simmons
Garmarna,Garmarna,Northside Records,Folk-Pop,Int'l & World Music,Neo-Traditional,Pop,Scandinavia,Scandinavian Folk,Sweden,Swedish,Swedish Folk,Traditional,World Music
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Hildegard von Bingen
Garmarna Manufacturer: Northside Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005NNON Release Date: 2001-09-04 |
Tracks:
- Euchari
- Viridissima Virga
- Salvatoris
- O Frondens Virga
- Unde Quocompque
- O Vis Aeternitatis
- Virga Ac Diadema
- Paso
- Kyrie
Amazon.com's Best of 2001
What happens when a raucous Scandinavian folk band armed with strings, acoustic guitars, and percussion rearranges the music of a 12th-century nun and updates it with modern electronic backdrops? Why, you get Garmarna's Hildegard von Bingen, a surprisingly sedate affair that marries the sacred and the secular in a truly unorthodox fashion. The band's organic and synthetic elements are on opposite ends of the aural spectrum, but--purism be damned--Garmarna makes it appealing. There are times when the beats are a little intrusive on Hildegard's striking melodies--which are beautifully sung here by singer Emma Härdelin--but they never overwhelm the music and aren't always present. Overall, this album, created and named in Hildegard von Bingen's honor, serves as a reverent tribute to her music, and it might just influence newer, younger listeners to investigate her 900-year-old repertoire. --Bryan ReesmanCustomer Reviews:
Emma, You're Divine.......2007-03-15
More Garmarna than Hildegard.......2005-08-15
Parts are great, parts are bad.......2003-05-30
The songs are sung in Latin, with Emma Hårdelin's voice singing them with her Swedish accent. The basic premise is taking ancient poems (written by the German nun Hildegard von Bingen) and setting them to modern techno-backed orchestrations.
Our first glimpse of this is on "Euchari". Some fans may remember "Euchari" from the Vengeance album; they performed the song on there as well. However, the Hildegard version is extraordinarily good in comparison. The fiddles, rush of air, thumping and clicking beat, and Emma's voice just go well together. I think this is unquestionably the best song on the album.
Other songs, such as Salvatoris, O Frondens Virga and Viridisssima Virga are also extraordinary in their mix of old and new; but it is the other "potentials"--the songs that seem like they should have been cut out when the band was deciding which to include-- that threaten to ruin the album. Notice I said threaten, not "they ruin the album"--because they don't. Hildegard von Bingen is STILL GOOD. It jus could have been much better without technofied Unde Quocompque or the completely immemorably Kyrie. The use of Latin on the album is undoubtedly seductive and powerful; it is only in the arrangement of some songs that any flaws are noted, and they really aren't too big of a problem. However, on the whole I think this album will satisfy most Garmarna fans that enjoyed Vengeance, and may garner Garmarna a few new fans, too.
This is NOT pretentious new-age...and it ROX!!.......2003-03-25
Some may think that it's a silly or useless idea doomed to fail, or they just don't get it because their minds aren't open; think again!
Listening to this (thinking outside the religious content), transports one back in time in a subtle way because it brings out the music and makes you relate to it with its stunningly, surprisingly funky and beautiful arrangments! It combines the music (written in latin) of this 11th century nun with funky techno and traditional Swedish instruments in the arrangements! (the original tunes have been kept). and, once again, these new arrangements along with Emma Härdelin's striking voice, only serve to bring out these songs into further dimensions.
This should definitely be purchased!
TYhere's nothing wrong with making music more beautiful;)
my kind of reverence.......2002-10-22
I will not even bother to argue whether it brings out the best in the latter because purists might burst a blood vessel and I certainly haven't listened to enough more reverential interpretations to really judge. I believe that the purpose of projects like these is to interest a broader audience in more traditional interpretations of historical musical forms. Once a fan of pop music or even of neo-traditional Swedish music hears this album, if they have not heard von Bingen's music before, they will most assuredly be moved to seek it out. And for that the more dogmatic of von Bingen appreciators should thank Garmarna.
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Vengeance
Garmarna Manufacturer: Northside Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000IGRN Release Date: 1999-04-06 |
Tracks:
- Vulture
- Euchari
- Halling Jaron
- Vengeance
- Nine Years
- Stomped Bread
- Herr Holkin
- Ink
- Polska
- The Robber
Amazon.com
It begins with an eerie backwards fiddle, then the beats kick in, banging for dear life, and the cool, authoritative voice of Emma Härdelin floats over the top. It's the third Garmarna album, fulfilling every promise they'd made on their first two records. The ancient and modern achieve an almost perfect balance here, the original material sounding as if it should be centuries old. Blood, guts, violence, love, they're all here, every aspect of the human condition. While the band conjures up musical magic, it's Härdelin who emerges as the sorceress, the true star, with a voice that just seems to bewitch. Put it all together, and you have something that's more than the sum of its impressive parts. This is the record you always knew Garmarna could make. --Chris NicksonCustomer Reviews:
This is one album you have to own!.......2006-01-16
This is why I explore world music.......2006-01-10
From the heart-pounding opening track to the off-kilter rhythms of "Stomped Bread" to the lushly evocative tone of "Herr Holkin", "Vengeance" presents a beautifully rounded portrait by musicians who successfully bridge some of the oldest poetry around (including a stop in the 11th century to scoop up Hildegard von Bingen's spare verse) with modern instrumentation. This is not easy listening music, by any means. The drums are tribal, the rhythms industrial, and the direct, clear voice of Emma Hardelin drives all of it with a beauty that is fierce, but never harsh. Please make room in your collection for this CD!
Vengeance Comes Dark and Bloody from Garmarna.......2005-03-11
The album gets off to a heavy start with Gamen. It then crashes to a halt into the Pre-Medieval Industrial groove of Euchari, originally a hymn penned by abbess Hildergard von Bingen in the middle ages.
Another track of note includes the dark bloody title track, both eerie and unnerving at the same time, with lyrics (though sung in Swedish, the English lyrics are included) about murder, drinking blood and wild beasts. Of course, this is typical of Garmarna's lyrical fare. Only here the music really provides the appropriate backdrop to the disturbing traditional tunes.
As a whole, the album loses its intensity as the disc wears on, but don't let this keep you from getting into other wonderful tracks such as Herr Holkin, Polska (the one tune closest to their previous work) or Sorgsen Ton.
I would like to hear more rootsy stuff but this is a great disc nonetheless. It would be nice to hear an album that combined the best of their early folk work with the electronica of this album. One can only hope. In the meantime, immerse yourself in the world of Garmarna -- you won't regret it.
driving.......2003-04-05
there is a little of the traditional in this, but only very little. for the most part it is new electronic music
one of Northside's most progressive bands, if you ask me
also very unique music
Music to raise the dead with!.......2002-10-27
The CD's only drawback, I believe, is the lack of explosive emotion and sound immediately following the opening track. The ending track has actually put me to sleep a few times, disappointingly, and the rest of the CD seems unable to match the frenzied pace set by "Gamen." Still, this album is definitely worth your money, whatever the drawback.
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God's Musicians
Garmarna - God's Musicians Manufacturer: Omnium ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000001BCV Release Date: 1996-09-17 |
Tracks:
- Friends And Kin
- Sir Mannelig
- Halling From Macedonia
- My Husband
- Werewolf
- Hilla Lilla
- Today As Before
- Hunger
- Sir Holger
- Fiddlers Of God
Customer Reviews:
All Yer Vänner Och Fränder Should Hear It.......2004-07-16
So I bought the album and was not disappointed by all the other great material found here. Garmarna manage to take ages-old ballads and breath a new life into them without losing their feeling of ancient realms from long ago. You don't have to know Swedish, and forget all the stereotypes associated with the culture -- this is more Valhalla than ABBA. The dark brooding arrangement on V?nner Och Fr?nder conjures up visions of rhythmic Viking rowers.
Other highpoints are the rootsy Halling from Macedonia; Werewolf; and Herr Mannelig. The haunting title track is also stellar. Along with Hedningarna, Garmarna are at the top when it comes to this sort of thing. There isn't a whole lot of variety but it still works as a whole and is a great listen all the way through and worth having.
God's Musicians.......2003-05-30
The album opens with Friends And Kin, Herr Manelig and Hålling fraken Makedonia, which set the tone for the album... however, every song on this CD is at least as good as those fantastic openers-- "Hilla Lilla", "Sir Holger" and especially "Guds Speleman" are some of the best. Throughout the album Garmarna combines Emma Hårdelin's great voice with guitars, keyed fiddles, and other varied instruments and fuses old and new together seamlessly. This is not my favorite Garmarna album (I prefer the trip-hop style of Vedergållningen) but it is the best overall album they have done (where every song is extraordinary, instead of only a few).
If you want to be exposed to something extremely different and incredibly enjoyable, this is probably your best bet. Enjoy!
The quintessential Garmarna album.......2002-09-25
Unbelievable!.......2000-08-22
In any case, Garmarna's music is cool, controlled, and energetic. You'd never guess this stuff was folk music... and the lyrics are great as well. The combination of different styles of music make the album so entrancing... all you need to enjoy this one is a pulse.
Music from God-........1999-04-03
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Vittrad
Garmarna Manufacturer: Omnium ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000001BCO Release Date: 1994-11-22 |
Tracks:
- Mother & Daughter Punished
- Garm's Bark
- Commissioner Ola
- Kulleritova
- Crumbling Away
- Cranium
- Tonsilitis Polska
- Antioch
- LIttle Kersti
- We Won't Grieve...
- Judgment Schottische
- Sold Away
- Stepmother
- Kleveberg's Fire
Customer Reviews:
Garmarna, music for a new........2006-11-05
This band of course being from Sweden gives you a sense of ancient roots. The female vocals are so haunting using various harmonic minor scales (along with quarter-toned intervals) and with traditional Nordic Kulning & Yoik singing. Very beautiful melodies that give me goosebumps down the back of my spine.
A must buy for those studying the traditional/ancient Scandinavian music.
Vittrad Is Hit and Miss.......2005-03-10
This is a band that still has a lot of room to grow and they seem unsure of what to do with singer Emma Härdelin, who was new to the Garmarna fold at the time; most of the brief tracks here are instrumentals (Emma does play fiddle and flute) and only a handful have vocals. The best of those are Den Bortsålda (a classic!) and Straffad Moder & Dotter. Emma's voice is raw and the band play pretty conservatively -- they show very little of the stretching out that would come on later releases.
The brevity of the individual tracks works against the album, but taken on the whole it is a nice listen and is a great step back in time as well. The band would go on to do better things but this album is still worth having for the aforementioned tracks, as well as other tracks such as Vittrad and Klevabergselden.
A classic........2004-06-21
The few Garmarna fans that I know all regard "Vittrad" and the preceeding "Garmarna E.P" as their greatest works. This is not to say that Garmarna have since gone downhill, far from it, I suppose they've just gone up a different hill from the one we hoped they'd choose, but it's nevertheless got a mighty fine view. They are not the most prolific band, which is a shame, because I'd love to hear more in the vein of "Vittrad" from them, though I doubt they will return to this sound.
I read that the band themselves hardly play any of the early material live anymore, and are even a little embarrassed by it, which is surprising.
This album has pride of place in my cd collection, being a pivotal purchase, and a darned fine cd. If you like this cd, and wish to explore the Scandinavian folk scene further, it's well worth checking out Gjallarhorn, Hedningarna (though the latter, while having a heavy approach similar to Garmarna, is infused with a skewed humour that makes it somewhat different in feel), Lena Willemark and Ale Moller ("Nordan" and "Hasten Och Tranen" are great, as are their albums in the trio Frifot), and also, for more of Emma's lovely singing, there is Triakel.
Fans of Dead Can Dance, Unto Ashes, Love Is Colder Than Death, Miranda Sex Garden, and other gothy bands that have delved into the neo-medieval and folk spheres, may well be delighted with Vittrad too.
Raw, rhythmic, dark and exciting!.......2004-02-05
Unique Combo... hundreds of years ago - Today!.......2002-10-18
This is worth the experience, a must! Recommended.
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Guds Speleman
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00080BZJW Release Date: 2007-05-22 |
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Garmarna
Garmarna Manufacturer: Northside Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005BGKH Release Date: 2001-05-08 |
Tracks:
- Little Mats Polska
- Seeming Polska
- Earth-Diggers Song
- Sir Olaf
- Pining Polska
- Cow-call From Halsingland
- Kleveberg's Fire
- Garm's Bark
- Tonsilitis Polska
- Moon's Polska
- Antioch
- Skenpolska
- Klevabergselden
Amazon.com
Gamarna was one of the first Swedish bands to blend dance tunes and songs from the ballad tradition, much like a Scandinavian version of the Irish group De Dannan. Garmarna is a remastered version of their self-titled 1993 debut EP, which has been expanded on CD by the addition of six songs from their 1992 demo. After those recordings were made, the band went on to become one of Sweden's most innovative folk groups. And even though all the tracks here are acoustic, with none of the amplified instruments and drum loops the group experimented with on later recordings, the music still exhibits an adventurous spirit. The musicians use a wide assortment of instruments--hurdy-gurdies, Jew's harps, bouzoukis, guitars, and violins--to create sonic tapestries that weave together medieval-sounding harmonies with modern rhythms. Their "modern-ancient" sound is a perfect backdrop for Emma Hardelin, whose vocals add a soft edge to the sometimes dark ambiance of the music. (One band member is credited on percussion and death grunts.) The music on Garmarna is more folk-oriented than most of their later recordings, but the power of these performances shows that the band learned the rules of traditional music, before they went on the break them. --Michael SimmonsCustomer Reviews:
wonderful debut from an excellent group.......2002-03-30
On the whole, an excellent little album full of wonderful music. For the price, it's highly recommended.
My favorite of theirs.......2002-01-24
An impressive debut!.......2001-12-29
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Hildegard Von Bingen
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000BMGFOW Release Date: 2007-05-22 |
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Vittrad
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00080CNMU Release Date: 2007-05-22 |
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Vittrad
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000QGDYG0 Release Date: 2007-05-22 |
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Folk Acts Sweden 2002
Various Artists , Mats Edén , Maria Kalaniemi & Sven Ahlbäck , Draupner , Ulrika Bodén , Månsson & Åberg , Lisa , Päkkos Gustaf med Jonas Holmén och Ola Bäckström , Pelle Björnlert , and Bengt Löfberg Manufacturer: Folk Net Sweden ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000T0GEXI |
Product Description
26 song collection of the best Swedish Folk bands of 2002. BANDS: Mats Edén, Maria Kalaniemi & Sven Ahlbäck, Draupner, Ulrika Bodén, Månsson & Åberg, Lisa, Päkkos Gustaf med Jonas Holmén och Ola Bäckström, Pelle Björnlert, Bengt Löfberg, Sophia Eriksson, Anders Nygårds, David Tallroth, Hjerp Erik, Hoven droven, Ulf Störling, Lars Hollmer, Jack Brothers, Garmarna, Gunnfjauns kapell, Björn Björn, Lästringe låtar, Åsa Jinder, Anders Hagberg, Gunnel Mauritzson, Tummel, Jive Connection, Östblocket SONGS: Dänna dänn. Croplatsen polska. Ante Sundin. Giftasvisan. Vandring. En jungfru födde ett barn idag. Polska efter Päkkos Olle. Enshult d-moll. Köhlen. Ombyggnaden. Polska efter Blank Hans. Syen. PS 418. Polska. Skum. Sne snoa. Vindissima virga. Groddapolskan. Polska efter Hillbom. Slängpolska. Oppigårn. Lek. Hemmet. Mazltov cocktail. Special delivery. Two happy elephantsRock Music:
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