SPÆLIMENNINIR
Spælimenninir ("the folk musicians") is a lively group of six musicians that play traditional and contemporary folk music from Scandinavia on fiddle, recorder, piano, guitar, mandolin, acoustic bass and vocals. The group's home base is the Faroes, but Spælimenninir is not strictly a Faroese band, neither in personnel nor music. Having played together for over 20 years, the line-up includes one native Faroese, one Swede, two Americans and two Danes. This international collaboration has resulted in a varied repertoire, which reflects each member's heritage and illustrates the links between the music traditions of the Scandinavian countries and the United States.
Spælimenninir's wide range of material, skilled musicianship and jovial stage presence always combine to create an entertaining and informative evening. Spælimenninir has toured widely in Denmark, Sweden, Orkney, Shetland, Scotland, France, Finland and the United States playing at folk festivals, dances, clubs, and concerts and conducting educational programs in schools and universities.
Spælimenninir í Hoydølum is the original group of musicians who later become known simply as Spælimenninir. They form one of the best known Faroese folk bands around.
"Malargrót" by Spælimenninir, released in 2003. (SHD066)
"Piniartut" by Tellu Virkkala, Ville Kangas, Rasmus Lyberth and Kristian Blak, released in 2003. Piniartut means "the hunters" and this ensemble seeks and finds new music in the ancient roots. Moving from rich, quiet and sublime ambiance to almost vicious strands of noise, the Piniartut find what they were looking for: originality. (SHD051)
"Burturav" by Spælimenninir, released in 2001. Features folk dance music from the Scandinavia, orkney, Shetland and USA.
"Á Ferð" by Spælimenninir í Hoydølum, released in 2001. Features live recordings from USA, Scotland, Orkney and the Faroes.
"Fljóð og Fjøra" by Spælimenninir, released in 1996. "The band has - in a smart and varied set of strong, hummable new-made and traditional dance tunes, plus several instrumental developments of Faroese skjaldur, one of a kingo hymn, and two songs, one Faroese and one from Jutland - its own sound, an airy, zesty lift that twitches the feet for dancing, somewhere between Shetland, Norden, Scotland and Cape Breton in feel." (Andy Cronshaw, Folk Roots, UK) (SHD018)
"Rekaviður" by Spælimenninir, released in 1991. "There are many different shades on this, their sixth and best album. For unadulterated good feeling, it would be hard to beat. And for pure beauty, an instrumental medley of ancient hymns from the Faroe Islands featuring outstanding piano from Kristian Blak." (Andy Nagy, Boston Globe, USA) (SHD007)
"Umaftur" by Spælimenninir í Hoydølum, released in 1978. (SHD002)
"Fjand" by Svend Bjerg - En Vestjysk Spillemand, released in 1978. (SHD003)
"Spælimenninir í Hoydølum" by Spælimenninir í Hoydølum, released in 1977. This is the first record by Spælimenninir í Hoydølum. Originally released on LP. Spælimenninir ("the folk musicians") is a lively group of six musicians, who play traditional and contemporary folk music from Scandinavia on fiddle, recorder, piano, guitar, mandolin and acoustic bass and vocals. (SHD001)