Hej Dåna-Malin
Hej Spåna-Karin
Hej Tobak i pipan

Hello Roaring-Malin
Hello Wood-chip-Karin
Hello, tobacco in my pipe.

This nonsense rhyme stuck in my mind after a visit to record Karin Sikström in the tiny village of Gideåberg between Edsele and Helgum in Ångermanland. It was 1963 and the journey was made together with Mats Arnberg from Swedish Radio. It was one of my first recording trips and the visit to Karin Sikström (b.1899) made an indelible impression on me. In her I encountered a warm and friendly person who, with a light and easy voice, sang with depth and with a strong sense of rhythm. Her repertoire of songs bore a strong local influence and comprised many fine lyrics and melodies. From time to time she accompanied herself quietly yet with feeling on guitar. There was a very special atmosphere surrounding her singing, and the situation in which we were recording, which I stored carefully in my memory.

This is why it gave me great pleasure when I recognised the sound as I listened to this CD on which Ulrika has assimilated so many of Karin Sikström’s songs. Ulrika, who has already recorded a number of albums with various groups – Sälta, Kalabra, Rosenbergs Sjua, Ranarim – has now brought out this CD of songs and tunes from Ångermanland, her own home county. Following several years at the Academy of Music in Stockholm with a mixed repertoire, it was natural for her to look into the song traditions of her home territory by listening to radio recordings from the area. Not least was the singing of Karin Sikström, which led Ulrika to appreciate the rich traditions here.

There are several of Karin Sikström’s most remarkable songs on the CD, including “Joseph of Armatea”, based on a biblical theme, and all those little nonsense polska-ditties so typical of northern Sweden. Ulrika has, however other role models besides Karin Sikström. The districts of Edsele and Ramse have nurtured several fine singers. In recent years she has visited some of these herself, including Ester Isaksson in Ulrikas home village of Helgum. She has listened to others through recordings done for radio – Folke Nygren (b.1893), and Valborg Eriksson (b.1891) from Ramsele. Franz Bergvall (b.19??) from Gideåberg and Inga Ström (b. 1896) from Edsele – or rendered from old transcriptions.

It is a motley collection of songs, some, such as Giftasvisan (Wedding song) and Söta Lillpiga (Pretty little maid), with tunes originating in the 18th century. In several instances she shows how there can be many variations on the same song, even within the same district. For example, the stubborn song about a maiden called Britta. Ulrika has chosen to do some of the songs unaccompanied, while her musical friends join her on others.

Märta Ramsten