Soldater og Redelig Sjømenn

If you're seeking an earthy slice of Norwegian life, look no further. The title translates as ‘Soldiers and Honest Sailors’; in reality these stories and tales embrace construction workers too, entertainers and gamblers, in fact any of the workers you might meet along the way. Many of the texts come from the riches of the Agder Folk Music Archive, but the collective knowledge of the musicians brings numerous Norwegian traditions together. Nyvold himself is steeped in traditions from Norway and beyond. There's the ever inventive Gabriel Fliflet; the legendary Ånon Egeland; Leiv Solberg, who's at the heart and soul of Norwegian folk performance and knowledge (also the producer); Norwegian devotee Richard Burgess, and other indispensable members of this likeable gang.

Thexts slip in and out of Norwegian dialects, Swedish and Danish. One minute we're rowing home from Germany after the war, the next we're being entertained in the best crooner tradition, along the spectacular coast of southern Norway. There are ballads, trolls, wistful poems of love, and songs that emerge out of having one drink too many. These are some of the best voices and performers you'll find doing this type of material; music that comes straight from Norwegian hearts.