EIVØR PÁLSDÓTTIR
Eivør
Spirit River
· Eivør Pálsdóttir makes her local debut at the Canmore Folk Music Festival in August.
More or less midway between Norway and Iceland lie a group of 18 small islands known as the Faroes. Although the total population of the archipelago is only now approaching 50,000, there is a remarkably vibrant folk scene to be found in this semi-autonomous Danish territory.
Eivør Palsdottir is one of the truly bright lights on the Faroe Islands’ music scene. At 20, she is already a seasoned performer who sells out large European venues and it’s easy to understand why. A multilingual singer (Faroese, Icelandic, Swedish, English and probably Danish), Eivør possesses a beautiful and pure voice that brings many others to mind – Edith Piaf, Amalia Rodrigues and Marta Sebestyn to name a few. Perhaps the most fitting comparison is to a young Emmylou Harris – not so much because of any obvious vocal similarities, but because of the material performed. There is a distinct, old-school, country-pop crossover flavour to much of her self-titled release, which likely has to do with Bill Bourne. As producer, he no doubt exercised a great deal of influence over song selection and arrangements. As a songwriter and accompanist, his contribution was instrumental (pun intended). This can be heard most clearly in the duets, including an amazing version of Townes Van Zandt’s "If You Needed Me." This is immediately followed by a sentimental love song sung in Faroese to the tune of "(Now and Then) There’s a Fool Such As I." The subject matter is romantic, the tune often familiar and the delivery impeccable and entrancing. In a nod to traditional Faroese-Danish songwriting the final track deals with wizards and spells. Even so, it too is a love song and a perfect ending for a performer and an album that, like the song lyrics say, will hold you fast and leave you spellbound.
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