Hoffsten, Louise / Kara Du
Album: Kara Du   Collection:World
Artist:Hoffsten, Louise   Added:Mar 2002
Label:Samso Records America  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2002-09-23 Pull Date: 2002-11-25 Charts: Reggae/World
Week Ending: Nov 10 Oct 13 Sep 29
Airplays: 1 1 2

Recent Airplay
1. Dec 24, 2005: Blues Marathon - It's a Big Blues World
Sa Odsligt Molnen Pa Himlen
4. Sep 24, 2002: No Cover, No Minimum
Sa Odsligt Molnen Pa Himlen
2. Nov 05, 2002: No Cover, No Minimum
Du Ar Sa Vacker for Mina
5. Sep 23, 2002: Come When I Whistle
Sa Odsligt Molnen Pa Himlen
3. Oct 08, 2002: No Cover, No Minimum
Sa Odsligt Molnen Pa Himlen

Album Review
Fo
Reviewed 2002-08-30
LOUISE HOFFSTEN – Kära Du
Samsø, 2002

SWEDEN – New interpretations of 19th century romantic folksongs. Hoffsten is joined by the jazz group EST (Esbjörn Svensson Trio), plus some miscellaneous native string instruments. The results are somewhere between folk, jazz, pop, and the blues, and remind me a lot of Holly Cole. Mixed quality, but several tracks are quite pleasant and/or interesting. The tempos are universally relaxed, but the mood is quite varied (as is Hoffsten’s vocal delivery). I like it, mostly.

Fo’s Picks: 3, 5, 9, 10, 12

01. 4:24 – very quiet and rather dull, with whispery vocal
02. 3:21 – mellow but upbeat folksy shuffle
03. 4:19 – slow blues strut, breathless vocal and a good groove
04. 5:37 – folk-pop, builds to a sort of anthem and slowly drops back
05. 4:09 – mystery blues, dirty slide guitar, some organ… haunting
06. 4:03 – catchy, happy folk/pop riff and a light, singsong vocal; dark overtones at end
07. 4:32 – turbulent pop current carries slightly anguished vocals, grows strident
08. 4:33 – unhappy atmosphere: just acoustic guitar, vocal, and quiet keyboards
09. 3:54 – striding folksy pop: all the influences working together on this one
10. 3:55 – heavy atmosphere: starts a cappella, then piano pattern, spacey synths
11. 3:35 – tragic, spare: just delicate vocal + piano (TRACK 14 is similar but more fluttery)
12. 2:12 – simple vocal melody over organ/bass duet; weird ending... is she laughing or crying?
13. 5:09 – driving bass/drums, forceful vox, jam-band jazz second half
14. 2:56 – similar to track 11 but more fluttery

[Fo] - 8/30/02

Track Listing
1. Har Ar Gudagott Att Vara   8. Om Dagen Vid Mitt Arbete
2. Kara Du, Jag Ar Ju Bunden   9. Du Ar Sa Vacker for Mina
3. Jag Ser Pa Dina Ogon   10. Nackens Polska
4. Det Sorgsna Hjartat   11. Kristallen Den Fina
5. Sa Odsligt Molnen Pa Himlen   12. Akvarell
6. Vid Vassen Av Den Krotka   13. Mig Lyster I Lunden Att Vara
7. Dar Tjante En Flicka   14. Jag Unnar Dig Anda Allt Gott