Agnes Buen Garnås
Country of origin:
Norway
Type of music generally:
Medieval traditional Norwegian
Status:
Most recent release, Han rider den mørke natt (2002)
See also:
Agnes Buen Garnås's site (uses flash so broken for most browsers; in Norwegian, but has an English summary)Wikipedia's page for Agnes Buen Garnås
The Ectophiles' Guide entry for her disc with Jan Garbarek
Comparisons:
Her disc with Jan Garbarek; this sound is perhaps the genesis of Emma Härdelin of Garmana's vocal style; Mari Boine's music is a little similar to this; Kirsten Bråten Berg also does some vocals like this, particularly on the Nordisk Sang disc
Covers/own material:
Traditional
General comments:
This appears from all I can discover to be a one-time work. Agnes Buen Garnås has a rich, slightly scratchy, mournful tone, which seems perfect for this kind of music. (Neile)
Recommended first album:
Draumkvedet is the only solo disc we've heard, though of the two I prefer her disc with Jan Garbarek
Recordings:
Wikipedia's page for Agnes Buen Garnås has a good discography
- Draumkvedet (1984)
Draumkvedet
Release info:
1984 (re-released on CD 1992—Kirkelig Kulturverksted—FSCD 50)
Availability:
Norway, or specialty import sites like cdRoots
Ecto priority:
Recommended for fans of traditional Scandinavian music
Group members:
Agnes Buen Garnås—vocals
Guest artists:
Harald Gundhus—flute, tenor saxophone
Knut Buen—Hardanger fiddle
Warren Carlstrøm
Kåre Nordstoga
Produced by:
Erik Hillestad
Comments:
This is a single 42-minute work, performed as a single piece. The sound is all minor-key and very strong and mournful. The piece flows in a natural way, despite its length. The instrumentation, organ, fiddle, saxophone and all feel quite sad and dark, and the touches of harp are the one piece of brightness in the music, and make welcome touches. Not music to listen to on a dark dark in winter unless you're in the mood to wallow in it, but it has its own power and beauty. (Neile)
