Recordings

Fire & Water — Andrea Hoag & Friends

Passionate and inventive originals and cross-cultural meetings, drawing from deep roots in Sweden, the Southern Appalachians, and the British Isles.

“Top-class fiddler…Eminently enjoyable as an album, not just as smart fiddling.” —Folk Roots
“A fine and innovative recording.” —Old-Time Herald

Listen to sample tracks: Offutt’s . Lonesome Dove Tale . Snow to Newcastle . Evil Improlska

Featuring: Andrea Hoag (fiddle/vocal), Jacqueline Schwab (piano), Bruce Molsky (fiddle/banjo), Ralph Gordon (cello/bass), Jeremiah McLane (accordion), Keith Murphy (guitar), Paul Oorts (mandolin/guitar)

Hambo in the Snow — Hoag/Kelley/Pilzer

Grammy nominee, Best Traditional World Music Album 2007

Masterful playing and entrancing tunes from Hoag/Kelley/Pilzer, celebrating the deep, ethereal, and joyful winter moods of Sweden and Norway. Music of the bygdedans (village dance) tradition with its unique rhythmic variations in 3/4-time, as well as walking tunes, bridal marches, waltzes and polketts. Hybrid SACD recording.

Listen to sample tracks: Solskenslåten . Slängpolska från Småland . Vôdospis’n

Featuring: Andrea Hoag (fiddle/vocal), Loretta Kelley (fiddle/Hardanger fiddle/vocals), Charlie Pilzer (bass/button accordion)

The Berntsons

One Norwegian American family, four generations of musicians, over one hundred years of traditional Scandinavian music making. The Berntson family band first played for community dances in rural Wisconsin around 1900, and many of these tunes are unique to the family. Andrea Hoag and Loretta Kelley add their fiddles to the modern-day family’s sound.

Listen to sample tracks: Iowa Schottische . Grandpa’s Waltz

Featuring: Eleanore Berntson Lundeberg (pump organ), Karl Lundeberg (guitars/tenor banjo/bass), Andrea Hoag (fiddle), Loretta Kelley (fiddle/Hardanger fiddle)

Hambo in the Barn — Hoag/Kelley/Pilzer

Persuasive pulse and variety of moods have made Hambo in the Barn a classic among Scandinavian dancers—as well as great listening for anyone! Hambos, waltzes, schottisches, and more traditional and original dance tunes.

“enticing charm…romantic and resonating harmonies”
—Washington Post

Listen to sample tracks: Jag är fattig . Schottis from Idre

Featuring: Andrea Hoag (fiddle/vocal), Loretta Kelley (fiddle/hardingfele), Charlie Pilzer (bass/button accordion/keyboard), Frank Brown (guitar), Larry Robinson (bouzouki)

Spelstundarna — with Bruce Sagan

Traditional and new fiddle music from Scandinavia. About half of the tracks are traditional Swedish tunes. The other half is a mix of recently composed melodies both from the USA (in Scandinavian style) and Sweden, as well as tunes from Norway and Finland.

Featuring: Andrea Hoag (fiddle/vocal), Bruce Sagan (fiddle/hardingfele/nyckelharpa), Larry Robinson (bouzouki)

This CD is out of print, though you may still succeed in finding a copy. As of this writing (9/2010), there are a few copies available from Amazon.