Trio Mediaeval: Folk Songs and Joke Ballads

The Trio Mediaeval have said goodbye to their mediaeval roots for an album of Nordic Folk. “Folk Songs”, as always with their longterm partner ECM Records, places the Trio Mediaeval next to Birger Mistereggen, one of the few active musicians in the Norwegian folk drum tradition, and features a total of nineteen tracks. With titles such as “I don’t think much of these boys” on the one hand and “Beloved Jerusalem” or “Saviour of the nations, come”, the direction the Trio Mediaeval are taking on this album is clear: “Fun Ballads” on the one hand and serious, spritual pieces on the other.

“Some of these pieces are joke ballads”, the members of the Trio Mediaeval explain, “that have an actual story from start to the end, that are quite enjoyable and fun.” Consequently, the sessions to “Folk Songs” were a success all around: “We had a great time recording this CD and we’ve worked on it for so many years” The long creative process of getting it done, has meant that the Trio Mediaeval knew the material inside out and was free to make subtle but important amendments and changes, perfecting these tunes over time.

ECM have highlighted the cross-boarder potential of “Folk Songs” and their closeness to the source for comparable releases from the Jazz world. The promo babble certainly holds true in this case, as the Trio Mediaeval has always felt close to that scene and only recently turned up at the Punkt 07, a festival for contemporary Jazz and adjacent genres. About the performance of the Trio Mediaeval, All About Jazz writes: “While it’s a new musical direction for the trio, the near-telepathic connection between the three singers remains definitive (...) Hearing Friman, Fuglseth and Ossum on record is stunning; watching them live reveals just how deep the connection between them is.”

To Birger Mistereggen, the artistic success of the collaboration between himself and the Trio Mediaeval on “Folk Songs” relies on the contrast between the ethereal, upward-bound voices as well as his drumming and accompaniment on Jew’s Harp: “It creates an energy, which I think is quite unique”.

“Folk Songs” by the Trio Mdeiaeval was released at the “Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival” in Norway in September and is now available in record stores worldwide.

Homepage: All About Jazz Article on Punkt07
Homepage: Trio Mediaeval
Homepage: ECM Records

Picture by Asa M. Mikkelsen