Skye Consort & Emma Björling

Skye Consort & Emma Björling perform trans-Atlantic arrangements of songs & tunes from Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, England, Québec, Acadia, the USA, as well as original compositions. Each musician brings their own individual interpretation to these traditions to create this extraordinary collaboration, consisting of voices, fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo, and percussion. An assortment of whirling polskas, groovy reels, passionate love songs, breathtaking hymns, and original compositions.

"Arrangements are masterful and varied, from the arresting "Om Berg och Dalar" ("Of Mountain and Valley") in which Björling's pure voice rides atop a meditative drone before the tune morphs into a lilting reel; to "Cast Iron Stove," a sea shanty with vocals by Skye Consort's Sean Dagher that somehow invokes both Mumford & Sons and Philip Glass; to "The Skunk/Thick as Thieves," whose wordless vocals meld beautifully with the instrumental texture. If you're lucky enough to have a cottage to escape to when the warm weather hits, take this album with you." - Robert Rowat, CBC Music