I Took Up The Runes

I’ve been to Norway and northern Scotland numerous times. This superb album takes inspiration from the traditional music of both countries. It genuinely transports me. Also I’m 58, and I’ve listened to a lot of recorded music, and I can say that without a doubt the quality of this recording is the best I have EVER heard.

A fantastic recording and really great playing but a little beyond me at times.

I'm new to JG and this was my first purchase upon a friend's recommendation - it far surpassed my expectations - the suite 'Molde Canticle' comprises some of the best music I've heard anywhere, in any genre - equal parts uplifting and soul-destroyingly sad. You can buy this one with confidence - especially if you're into ECM stuff. If you like this check out John Surman's 'Coruscating' - another must-have.

Norway jazz at its best

The central piece of this album, the five-part Molde Canticle is the outstanding highlight here. This long section is the most exhilirating and lively Garbarek has been in a long time, and this is clearly due to the rhythm section of Katche, Vasconcelos and Weber, who create some incredibly dynamic and addictive rhythms, against which Garbarek and Bruninghaus scatter some gorgeous, rippling arcs of melody. Stunningly engaging music which simply bursts with joy and beauty, and quite unlike much of Garbarek's more restrained, even austere music (which I also love). The album also has some other instrumental pieces, which attain Garbarek's usual high standard, but there are also two Lapp songs (clearly an acquired taste) which I'm afraid not only left me cold, but sat uneasily with the mood and tone of the rest of the album. Having said that, this remains an essential purchase on the strength of the joyfully upbeat, irresisitible magic of the Molde Canticle: you won't regret it.

Love this

Great!

MUSICAL CONTENT- 2⭐️ While I like Garbarek’s other albums on the ECM label (I have a few of his, and other artist’s albums he features on) this one leaves me a bit disappointed. True , it’s a reissue of a 1990 original digital recording, but it does feel dated. Whereas Abercrombie or Towner’s equivalent reissues from the 80’s still stand the test of time, this one, for me, doesn’t quite do it. Being a digital master from 1990 too, it has a very cold and clinical presentation, and I do so much wish Ingor Antte Ailu Gaup’s invitation to the recording session had been lost in the post. His vocal contribution bring nothing to this album (other than my desire to skip tracks). There are some I can happily listen too and enjoy but sadly they are interspersed with others I’d happily not hear again. STUDIO PRODUCTION- 4⭐️ As observed above, this is an early (ish) digital master recording. While in recent years, ECM themselves are now using this medium for both their vinyl and cd albums, I feel an analogue tape may have given some desired warmth to the presentation. Having said that, they’ve used what they chose to 30 years ago and all the musicians performances are well balanced and easily placed on the ‘stage’ VINYL PRESSING- 5⭐️ Exactly as expected from ECM, this company is at the top of their game. Flawless presentation on high quality vinyl with negligible surface noise. Other labels please take note.

Ottimo cd di Jan Garbarek. La qualità dell 'incisione non si discute (basandomi sul mio impiantino entry level, però). Da ascoltare in doveroso silenzio ed in ore notturne. Occhio che la confezione che ho acquistato io è in cartoncino e di spessore minimo (se non ricordo male, dovrebbe essere un edizione per qualche anniversario della ECM), preferivo , forse, la classica custodia di plastica (più resistente). Alcune tracce, com'è prevedibile, sono più tormentose di altre. Spedizione puntuale.

I Took Up the Runes is a unique combination of Norwegian folk music and jazz. Any listeners who find ECM to sometimes get overly introspective will not be yawning here. Garbarek is intense throughout, and as usual, technically brilliant. He's one of the only saxophonists who can simulate a human scream and still make it sound listenable and musical. Rainer Bruninghaus and the great Eberhard Weber are both strong presences on 'I Took Up' and those who like their work under their own names would be advised that their contributions here are just as rewarding as their other recordings. CD length is 61 minutes and everything is musically engaging. Highly recommended.

Dies ist betörend schöne Musik, die sich in großen Teiler jeder Kategorisierung entzieht. Ein wenig wie beschwörende Musik bei einem archaischen Ritual. Seite 2 fängt eher so an, wie man es von Garbarek, Weber, Katche und Co erwärten würde, nimmt dann aber wieder die mystische Thematik der ersten Seite auf, Toll - eine der wenigen Platten, die ich gleich zweimal hintereinander hören musste, und die auch noch beim zweiten Mal noch überraschte. Technisch so perfekt, wie man es von ECM kennt.

Meine erste CD von Jan Garbarerek war die "Visible World" und diese hier gefällt mir gleichermaßen. Es ist eben eine Musik, die man richtig genießen kann. Eine gute Stereoanlage macht dieses Klangerlebnis perfekt. Ich gebe fünf Sterne wegen der hervoragenden Soundqualität. Auch ich hätte im Hinblick auf die nicht angemessene Plattenhülle gerne einen Stern abgezogen. Dafür kann die Musik aber nichts. Zur Schonung der CD habe ich sie eben in eine richtige Hülle umgebettet.

Une édition 180 grammes, digne de ce nom, je ne boude pas mon plaisir face au son qui émane de ce disque que j'avais acheté jadis en CD (25 ans déjà, aïe !). Certains "puristes" le trouvent secondaire. Je le trouve plaisant, et étant le 1er disque de Garbarek que j'ai écouté, il m' a donné envie d'en découvrir d'autres, comme Star, Rites ou Twelve Moons (celui qui a ma préférence). Plus abordable que d'autres albums du saxophoniste. (je ne sais pas pourquoi cette critique apparaît sur le support CD, il s'agit bien ici du vinyle, rupture de stock, plus disponible ?).