TRADITION & RENOUVEAU

Asgard

Prog Folk

3.97 | 23 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Sean Trane
Special Collaborator
Prog Folk

Rounded up to the upper fourth star!!

Asgard's Tradition & Renouveau is really a fitting title for this great folf-rock album. France had quite a few excellent groups in the late 70's that picked up on Fairport Convention , Steeleye Span and Pentangle had left on English traditional folk music. In France , mainly Malicorne and Alan Stivell & Dan Ars Braz (but the last two were definitely more Celtic ) were the main attraction . Malicorne was never really into Keltia and concentrated more on older material going back even to mediaval times and did a few re-worked and rocked-up classics from "Rondes , Gigues et Danses De France" and were followed by a few groups who did not manage quite the same commercial success. Among these were Ripaille (one fabulous album) and Asgard.

Right from the first track Le Branconnier (The Poacher) , you are swung into a different century so much that only some of the instrumentation can remind you that this was 78. All of the tracks are acoustic and are about regional folklore (beit Normandy or Britany) but relaying the ever same concern of the times , the hardship of life in those times but alsothe nature around the backcountry.

On the second side however (except for the opening francois Villon) , the tracks seems to be a little less "historical "and a little more personal relaying more fantasy themes. Most progheads looking for a little more than faithfull medieval music reproduction (such as the first two or three Gryphon albums ) will appreciate this second side best.

Althogh not quite as progressive as one might wish it , this album remains a very enjoyable listen for folk-minded progheads but clearly this does not reach the level of Ripaille's "La Vieille Que L'On Brula".

Sean Trane | 4/5 | 2005-7-25

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Share this ASGARD review

Social review comments () BETA

Review related links

Send comments to Sean Trane
Report this review (#40212)
Buy ASGARD music online with PA partners
Show all ASGARD MP3/Stream
Go to ASGARD page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
Go to Tradition & Renouveau page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
Search the Forum for ASGARD related discussions