Tideland

It's an interesting idea, teaming up Norwegian singer Rita Eriksen with Irish legend Dolores Keane. However, the real meeting here seems to be of the musicians, as the vocalists only come together on the atmospheric final track, "The Great Northern Ocean." Elsewhere they take turns, illustrating connections between the music of the countries. Both are modal, with drones either used or implied, and the songs here tend to stay in the minor keys that suit both Keane and Eriksen. In reality, it's Eriksen who probably comes off better here, with more imaginative arrangements for her material; when the band puts a Celtic middle section to "Den Dag Kjem Aldri," it doesn't seem out of place. Eriksen has the clearer voice, but Keane's throatiness offers a deep character that brings her material, like the old "The Low, Low Lands of Holland," to life. In truth, however, at times the pair of them are outshone by their accompanists, especially the wonderful guitarist Knut Reiersrud, whose slide solo on "Kvi Gjeng Du Sa Einsleg Og Stundar" positively shimmers with invention and taste. So while it's not exactly the union it claims to be, the whole album is definitely class all the way.