The Alehouse Sessions
Author: Fiona Talkington
View album and artist detailsAlbum and Artist Details
Artist/band: |
Bjarte Eike & Barokksolistene |
Label: |
Rubicon |
Magazine Review Date: |
October/2017 |
Stepping into an alehouse with Bjarte Eike and Barokksolistene could well be a dangerously riotous, yet addictive experience, judging by this album. The nine musicians immediately place you under their spell, with astonishing playing from the exquisite mix of vocals, guitar, harmonium, charango (Andean lute), strings, percussion, the voice of Thomas Guthrie and the beguiling violin playing of director Bjarte Eike.
Sprightly 17th-century dances from Playford and Henry Purcell are wrung out with emotion, while hearty sea shanties and tunes from Scotland, Canada and Scandinavia are all infused with humour, impeccable timing, some grubby growling and a good degree of naughtiness. Which is probably why I like them so much. They're down and dirty in the shanty ‘Haul Away Joe’, which moves straight to a gentle tear-jerker, the beautiful Scottish tune ‘Johnny Faa’. The medley of tunes in ‘Travel Set’ is a party favourite, and by the time you reach the final track, the exquisite ‘Leave Her Johnny’, you're bound to be singing along, mesmerised by this extraordinary band. The CD is as close to a live performance as you can get without having to wash out the beer stains.
Sprightly 17th-century dances from Playford and Henry Purcell are wrung out with emotion, while hearty sea shanties and tunes from Scotland, Canada and Scandinavia are all infused with humour, impeccable timing, some grubby growling and a good degree of naughtiness. Which is probably why I like them so much. They're down and dirty in the shanty ‘Haul Away Joe’, which moves straight to a gentle tear-jerker, the beautiful Scottish tune ‘Johnny Faa’. The medley of tunes in ‘Travel Set’ is a party favourite, and by the time you reach the final track, the exquisite ‘Leave Her Johnny’, you're bound to be singing along, mesmerised by this extraordinary band. The CD is as close to a live performance as you can get without having to wash out the beer stains.
