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DVDfever.co.uk – Lisa O Piu: When This Was The Future CD reviewElly Roberts reviews
Cooking Vinyl Records
- Released: Out now
- Rating: 8/10
Swedish folk… yummy.
When you think of nu-folk, Joanna Newsom immediately comes to mind.
Now theres a new babe on the block threatening to steal her crown Lisa O Pui, or Lisa Isaksson to family and friends.This Swedish brunette has put together an album that probably owes much to English trad-folk as it does to her native influences.
This haunting and beguiling collection boasts all the folk trickery and essence of luminaries Linda Perhacs, Bridgette St.John, Vashti Bunyan et al, so theres plenty on offer to appeal to even the casual listener.Embellishing the past, Lisa has also embraced the present and maybe the future too, so When This Was The Future is aptly titled adding contemporary sonics with the old, which takes some doing. The best example is probably closer And So On. Its the kind of song Sandy Denny would rubber stamp as a little gem.
To create this fascinating album shes used all manner of instruments clarinet, accordion, Theremin, 12 string guitar, fiddle, melotron, finger cymbals, acoustic and electric guitars, harp, cellotron, glockenspiel, amongst others.
Instrumentation is used to maximum effect across the often quirky and hippy-like songs about peculiar relationships, fantastical parties, all laid down in summertime at a cottage on the north of Stockholm which must have provided sufficient ambience to the woodland folk flourishes that straddle the entire album. Being near the sea must have impacted hugely on Opener Cinnamon Sea , because you can virtually touch the waves.
The same could be said of woods near the cottage as it brings out the fairies dancing for the mystical atmosphere of Forest Echo as the instrumentation flutters and shimmies around the simple acoustic picks.If I had to choose the best song, it has to be the gorgeous The Party. A sumptuous tale of an uninvited guest whos promised a wonderful musical experience, reflected in the most gentle of songs with fluttering flute adding the mesmerising textures.
Dreamy Equatorial Changes ponders the changing seasons along to the instrumental focus of simple guitar picks and flute. Combine this with husked vocals and youve got magic.
The verdict: Dont miss this.
Weblink:myspace.com/lisaolillportan (includes music samples)
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Cinnamon Sea
2. Forest Echo
3. Traitor
4. The Party
5. Two
6. Equatorial Changes
7. Alvans vid Kolarkojan
8. And so On
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.