Our Review
Here's something really different--and fun! Mother and daughter Anne-Charlotte and Ellen Harvey join with accompanist Paul Severtson to present twenty rollicking folk songs following the holiday traditions of Sweden. The songs are all in Swedish, and virtually all are unfamiliar to the average American ear. Still, if you have a bit of Swedish blood coursing through your veins--or if you only wish you did--you will definitely regard "A Swedish Christmas" to be a unique and exciting opportunity.
I must confess a personal bias. I live in Minnesota, a stronghold for Scandinavians (and northern Europeans generally). In addition, my last name is "Swanson," which makes me sound suspiciously Swedish. In fact, only my husband's side of the family teems with Swede. My personal family tree springs from elsewhere; even so, I do find Scandinavian music to be enchanting.
Although all the tunes are sung in Swedish, the expansive liner notes come to the rescue. The 16-page booklet provides all the lyrics both in Swedish AND in English. In addition, the notes include background information about Christmas in Sweden and how each number fits into the larger holiday framework.
If the listener feels a bit adrift in the Swedish numbers, she will find relief in pieces such as "Stilla Natt, Heliga Natt" (Silent Night), which is probably my favorite number on the album. The mother-daughter harmonies are natural, effortless, and sweet. Another great number with fine harmonies is the Swedish classic "Sankta Lucia", which most folks will recognize, even if the name doesn't ring a bell. Interestingly, very few songs feature harmonies; most have the women singing in unison are independently. The accompaniment is accomplished and unobtrusive.
During the increasingly long holiday season, it may sometimes feel like an overload of the same Christmas standards over and over again. CDs like "A Swedish Christmas" enable the listener to break free from the usual fare and experience holiday excitement in an entirely different cultural context. Learn some new Christmas songs with stop-you-in-your-tracks names like "Thief, Yes, Thief You Shall Be Called," "Hi, Old Gnomes," and "The Little Frogs." Sample "A Swedish Christmas." It's a delightful mind-expanding experience!
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)
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From the liner notes:
Musicians:
Vocals: Anne-Charlotte and Ellen Harvey
Accompaniment: Paul Severtson (violins, viola, bass, guitar, mandolin, autoharp, and recorder)
Anne-Charlotte Harvey Ellen Harvey, and Paul Severtson
A Swedish Christmas
Artist link
Label: Skandisk
Genre: Folk
Release: 1999
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Sankta Lucia (Saint Lucia) |
| God Morgon, Mitt Herrskap (Good Morning, My Masters) |
| Staffan Stalledrang (Stephen, The Stable Lad) |
| Stilla Natt, Heliga Natt (Silent Night, Holy Night) |
| Nu Tandas Tusen Juleljus (A Thousand Christmas Lights Are Lit) |
| Tomtarnas Julnatt (The Gnomes' Christmas Night) |
| Betlehems Stjarna (Bethlehem's Star) |
| Hosianna (Hosannah) |
| Sankta Lucia (Saint Lucia) |
| Nu Ar Det Jul Igen (Now It's Christmas Again) |
| Det Kimer Nu Til Julefest (Bells Are Chiming to Celebrate Christmas) |
| Nar Juldagsmorgon Glimmar (When Christmas Morn Is Dawning) |
| Tjuv Och Tjuv Det Ska Du Heta (Thief, Yes, Thief You Shall Be Called) |
| Vi Aro Musikanter (We Are Musicians) |
| Sa Gar Vi Runt Om Ett Enebarssnar (Here We Go Round a Juniper Bush) |
| Hej, Tomtegubbar (Hi, Old Gnomes) |
| Julpolska--Nu Har Vi Ljus (Now We Have Lights) |
| Raven Raskar Over Isen (The Fox Scurries Across The Ice) |
| Sma Grodorna (The Little Frogs) |
| Karusellen (The Carousel) |