Firmly grounded as a virtuoso of Norwegian traditional music but inspired by the music of other cultures, fiddler Annbjørg Lien crosses musical borders as a pioneer for true “World Music.” KHOOM LOY, Thai for “Paper Lanterns,” is Lien’s eighth solo album and explores a broad spectrum of traditions ranging from her traditional Norwegian folk to Irish and Asian music, with jazz and rock accents that at times create an Indian feel. Well versed in the music of other cultures, this album also represents a first for Lien—her world vocal debut to stunning and haunting effect, notably on the title track and “Den Storste Daarlighed,” which also offers a unique fusion of the Indian tabla with Celtic whistles. Winner of the Garmeleng Prize for classical folk and the Hilimar Award in her native Norway, Lien is a member of the world music fiddle group String Sisters (Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Liz Knowles, Catriona MacDonald, Liz Carroll and Emma Härdelin) and has collaborated with American fiddler Bruce Molsky amongst many others. Featuring Bjørn Charles Dreyer, Hans Fredrik Jacobsen, Bjørn Ole Rasch, Per Elias Drabløs, Per Hillestad, Orsa Spelmän, Kristiansand String Quartet, and Pat Broaders. “If you like moody, sometimes dark, folk music, punctuated by beautiful musicianship and artistry, then you will find nothing to dislike here. —PopMatters “Lien’s spectral fiddling proves hauntingly absorbing as it introduces the past to the future.” —The Washington Post
