Frigg: ‘Frost On Fiddles’ - album review
FRIGG
‘FROST ON FIDDLES’
FRIGG00011
Prepare for a fantastic feast of alliterative fun as we take on Frigg’s ‘Frost On Fiddles’
Frigg (for the record - from the goddess of Germanic mythology) are a septet that includes four fiddles, of Finnish folksters, based round family siblings Alina and Esjo Jarvela and their cousin Antti, the band’s frontman. They’re the family’s fourth generation of famous fiddlers on to their eighth album, one packed with frolics and fervour.
Fast, furious and fun original tunes are tempered with more relaxed and tranquil compositions taking the form of all manner of inspiration. From local restaurants to Glasgow pubs and onto legendary Finnish racehorses of the seventies and the innovator of the parallel feet technique in the game of Molkky. It’s a celebration of Finnish culture although heed the note of caution in the closing piece ‘Deep Water’ and their comment of “a state of stagnation.”
However, fear not as fifty one minutes of ‘Frost…’ never stands still; maybe loitering languidly on the rare occasion but never long enough to grow roots or become stilted as the frost on the fiddles soon gets thawed by a fire of welcoming warmth.
‘Chris Stout’s compliments to the Bon Accord Ale House’, apart from being a mouth filler of a title, is where Finland meets Scotland in a Scandi-Celtic revelry of merriment and even the ‘Courting Waltz’ is taken at a pace not normally associated with such a genteel dance. Having been lulled into a false sense of security, ‘Nopeggio’s Waltz’ is much more like what it says on the tin.
‘Friggin’ Polska’ is what they call an attempt at writing a rocking stadium style polska. Maybe when Bon Jovi are in the area might see Frigg bagging a local support slot and they’re living the dream (or even living on a prayer) and getting the chance to test it out. A perfect example of one of those moments when a big band takes up a tune and the enormity and the mass of energy grabs a hold and drags you along and under a torrential tidal wave of music.
Lulled out on the aforementioned ‘Deep Water’ its tranquil calmness serves as a lovely warm down. Close your eyes, breathe … and relax…
Watch Frigg at the 2016 Orkney Folk Festival:
You can find them online here and of course on Facebook
About the Author
Mike Ainscoe Mike's mellowed in his old age, discovering the delights of traditional folk and acoustic music and the constant stream of new music coming through his passion as a gig-goer, music photographer and writer. With favourite artists and favourite songs which change daily, even hourly, he adds another spoke to the Sonic Bandwagon wheel of fortune.
