Aakneson - Bifröst (2021) [Hi-Res]

“The whole world is a very narrow bridge. The important thing is not to be afraid.” - Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

Bifröst is an album of songs featuring the poetry of Bill Manhire, with music by Norman Meehan, Hannah Griffin, Andrew Laking, Blair Latham, Lance Philip, Neil Aldridge, and Michael Sutherland. Drawing from Old Norse tales and poems including the medieval Norwegian ‘Draumkvæde’ (‘Dreamsong’) and supplementing these with his own texts, New Zealand poet Bill Manhire composed a suite of poems that together form an episodic narrative that traces a variety of “crossings-over”, journeys – from place to place, from forgetfulness to remembering – that comprise the heart of Bifröst.

Bill Manhire (poetry)
Hannah Griffin (voice)
Norman Meehan (piano, organ, synthesisers, vibraphone, backing vocals)
Blair Latham (acoustic and electric guitars, flute, clarinets, saxophones)
Andrew Laking (bass, backing vocals)
Lance Philip (drums, percussion)
Neil Aldridge (singing bowl on ‘A Return’)
Michael Sutherland (guitar solos on ‘The Building of the Bridge’ and ‘Four Bridges’)

Tracklist:
1.01 - Aakneson - The Building of the Bridge (5:51)
1.02 - Aakneson - Materials (3:05)
1.03 - Aakneson - I am a Wonder to Behold (4:21)
1.04 - Aakneson - Gjeddar Bridge (11:30)
1.05 - Aakneson - I stepped from plank to plank (1:44)
1.06 - Aakneson - Baldur (4:45)
1.07 - Aakneson - City to Sea (3:06)
1.08 - Aakneson - Four Bridges (3:55)
1.09 - Aakneson - Heimdall's Song (5:10)
1.10 - Aakneson - The Breaking of the Bridge (2:50)
1.11 - Aakneson - A Return (2:40)