I first met Kristine Heeboll in Dudelange, where she played with Norland Wind at the Zeltik Festival 2003. She replaced Maire Breatnach, who was by then involved in another project. Her excellent fiddling instantly captured my attention, and when I chatted with her after the performance she told me about her new solo CD Trio Mio. I was intrigued, and she was kind enough to send a copy along for review.

Trio Mio is Heeboll on violin, Jens Ulvsand on bouzouki and guitar, and Nikolaj Busk on piano and accordion. Guest musicians include percussionist Jesper Falch, Rune Sorenson on viola, Mette Spang-Hanssen on cello and Hal Parfitt-Murray on violin. Julie Maria Larsen sings the only song, the beautiful lullaby "Sov Sodt, Barnlille (Sweet Dreams, My Child)" by Th. Laub.

The CD features tracks composed by Heeboll and arranged either by her or the trio. There's only one traditional polka, "Per Brogen's Polka," added to Heeboll's own work.

The CD is a wonderful collection of well-crafted tunes and dances, composed in traditional style and fused with contemporary and refreshing elements reaching from jazz to classical music and folk. Dances like waltzes, polkas, Scottish as well as hauntingly beautiful tunes played by the string quartet and stunning melodies played by the trio are brought forward with perfection. The playing together of the Swedish guitarist and the two Danish musicians is passionate and sensible. Romantic airs and joyful dances take turns and the change over is perfectly performed.

Heeboll plays the violin with much feeling, and when the piano joins in to celebrate life's beginning on "Barselsvals Til Maria (Maternity Waltz for Maria)," shivers run down my spine. The stunning tune "Sovearet (A Year Asleep)" features a wonderful bouzouki performance that is entangled in Heeboll's violin and Nikolaj's piano, an excellent jazzy track; the same applies to "Forarslaengslens Bluespolsk (The Spring-Longing Blues Polsk)," where the piano and violin start off with the tune before the percussion leads into a wonderful rhythmic tune, a showcase for the musician's talent. Last but not least I'd like to render prominent Larsen's wonderful singing, accompanied by the beautiful piano and Heeboll's tender violin.

I can recommend Heeboll's debut solo album to music lovers who are keen to make a musical journey to the northern parts of Europe. They will be surprised by the warmth and coziness of the melodies and the heat and fire of the dances, all brought forward by a bunch of excellent musicians.

- Rambles
written by Adolf Goriup
published 15 January 2005