Hillevi

Concept albums are a rare thing in folk music but Hillevi is a fine example; it is the result of Swedish fiddler Emma Ahlberg Ek's fascination with the life of Hillevi Alexandra Öberg (1897-1979). As Ahlberg Ek explains in the charming booklet accompanying this CD, one area dominated by female musicians in the 1920s was that of cinema musician. Öberg, widowed with two children, earned her living arranging and performing live music to accompany silent films until the advent of the talkies. Ahlberg Ek pays tribute to the life and times of her predecessor, fellow fiddler and countrywoman, in this wonderfully varied collection of tunes.

Supported by a sympathetic ensemble of accordion, double bass and percussion players, Ahlberg Ek recreates a few of Öberg's own compositions, but most of the tracks are original tunes charting the ups and downs of Öberg's life. The album is full of variety and atmosphere. The moody interlude ‘Livhanken’ has the crackle effects of an old 78 record. ‘Hillevis Sorgevisa’ and ‘Ljuskronan’ are reminiscent of The Albion Band's more plaintive moments while, with ‘Kirunahambon’, it is easy to imagine hordes of Swedish cinema-goers chortling at the antics of Charlie Chaplin. Hillevi is a delightful, highly original album.