Karin Krog - Folkways

Karin Krog is one of Europe's leading jazz vocalists and her career has spanned more than 50 years, including recording for ECM, Polydor, Enja and her own label, Meantime. 'Folkways' is a departure from her previous recordings, however, as it largely consists of traditional Norwegian folksongs. It features renowned reeds player John Surman on many of the tracks.

Several of these folktunes were gathered and written down around 1860 by Krog's great grandfather, Anders Heyerdahl, a violinist and composer, including dances (Halling) and songs invoking the spirits of the woods. A Lokk (a song with which the cowgirls called the cattle home) is also part of the repertoire together with a lullaby called Bansull. By way of contrast, the opening track on the CD is a well known British folksong, Waly, Waly (also known as The Waters Wide) and a composition by Norway's leading contemporary composer Arne Nordheim is also included. Titled Raga Variations it sees Nordheim treat the Norwegian Selje flute electronically, and is performed by voice, oboe and soprano saxophone, this particular piece was arranged by John Surman.