Du og Eg

By the end of this album you’ll know your reinlenders from your springars, and polkas will be second nature. Here's a very welcome addition to the accordion canon from two highly revered performers, both of whom studied folk music at the Norwegian Academy of Music. Jo Asgeir Lie grew up in Voss, up in the mountains. Ingunn Stræte Lie, who is also an award-winning folk dancer, hails from Hallingdal, another Norwegian melting pot of traditions. The duo clearly have enormous fun bringing Norwegian dance tunes together with Swedish polkas.

The title Du og Eg means ‘You and I’ and reflects the music that has surrounded their lives, demonstrating a remarkable spirit of togetherness. ‘Reinlender av Ola Fauske’ is an elegant tune played with careful phrasing and dynamic contrasts. ‘Snøkrystallen’ is as delicate as snowflakes but has an underlying sense of fun. And if you really want to find your dancing feet, then try ‘Eklundapolska Nr3’, a tune the pair heard from the legendary Swedish band Väsen: it's a perfect, breathless challenge.