Regular Columnists

Artist: Band: Bukkene Bruse
Album: The Loveliest Rose
CD Review: You may think that Bukkene Bruse has a lot of nerve to call their cd The Loveliest Rose, but after one short listen to the very beautiful fiddle instrumental ‘Lullaby For Julie’ you’ll know they could call themselves The Crown Jewels and get away with it.

Annbjørg Lien (fiddles), Arve Moen Bergset (kveding/vocals and fiddles), Steinar Ofsdal (flutes) and Bjørn Ole Rasch (Church organ and keyboards) are giving all comers a Norwegian Christmas celebration with:

1 A Child is Born in Bethlehem 3:18
2 Lullaby for Julie 3:14
3 Spirit of the Grove 5:14
4 Christmas Eve 3:38
5 My Heart is with Jesus 6:30
6 St. Sunniva 3:43
7 A Little Child So Pleasant / In This Sweet Christmas Time 7:19
8 Father Fiddled on Christmas Eve 3:01
9 The Loveliest Rose Has Been Found 2:34
10 Christmas Ganger 3:21
11 For Such Generous Gifts

This is their 4th release, full of good Christian fellowship and traditional fare that’s going to go over nicely in a couple months when all thoughts will finally turn to Good Will. Arve’s vocals are especially haunting above the classically-inspired prayers and new age ointments. The voice-end of ‘Spirit of the Grove’ is captivating, as is the opening fiddle work of a very different ‘Christmas Eve’ which bows and ebbs like a sea full of mist and hope.

Another winner from the NorthSide label. Keep ‘em coming!

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