The critical consensus about Denmark’s Tone of Voice Orchestra is that you’ve never heard anything like them, that their music defies categorization, that their highly original arrangements contain complex intercultural interactions between many diverse styles and that they are a great band!
Well, I do love a challenge and so, ignoring the maxim that writing about music is like dancing about architecture, I’ll attempt to communicate what’s going on with their new album.
By way of introduction, Tone of Voice Orchestra (ToVO) is a 10-piece Scandinavian roots music band, founded in Copenhagen in 2018 by singer-songwriter Trinelise Væring and jazz saxophonist Fredrik Lundi.
Trinelise has a strong connection to Vancouver BC, having recently recorded a solo album of Americana music here with some of the city’s finest players, which was reviewed on this very website.
The band’s line up is: Elisabeth Vik, Lene Nørgaard, Trinelise Væring and Nanna Schou (vocals), Arendse Nordtorp Pedersen (violin), Fredrik Lundin (mezzo soprano sax), Christian Mohr Levisen (bagpipes), Joel Illerhag (double bass) and Jesper Uno Kofoed and Knut Finsrud (drums and percussion).
So, where to start? Well, I would venture to say that actually I have already heard a lot of things like ToVO. It’s just that I’ve never heard them all in the same place and all at once like this!
There are hints of English prog rock’s Gentle Giant particularly in some of the vocal interplay and in the medieval-sounding motifs in some of the songs. The nerds among you could, for example, examine the similarities between ToVO’s “One Domino” and Gentle Giant’s “On Reflection.” There are some Jethro Tull-esque moments, particularly in the flute-led pieces such as Dans om Efteraaret. Some pieces feature Balkan-sounding rhythms and bagpipes which put me in mind of the work of Andy Irvine and uilleann pipes player, Davy Spillane. “We Owe It to the Planet” features banjo and has a strong bluegrass flavour, which reminded me then of The Punch Brothers. But then it turned into a jazz workout on soprano sax against a reggae groove! As you are no doubt beginning to realize, and in spite of my best efforts, this is indeed music that defies categorization of any kind!
What I can say with absolute confidence is that this music is beautifully crafted. The vocal arrangements are especially stunning with great harmonies and overlapping vocal parts.
Trinelise’s lyrics are smart and to the point and tell of humanity’s frailty, the need to protect our environment, hope for common people and the struggle to overcome personal foibles and failings. The choice of instrumentation on each track is superb and the quality of the performances and the production is first class.
ToVO certainly live up to the hype and will take you on a musical journey that is full of great playing and packed with musical surprises. I would heartily recommend that you take time to listen to this album – preferably played at a decent volume on some great speakers or headphones. To listen to this on a smart phone speaker would be like attempting to appreciate the Mona Lisa from a distance through cheap binoculars!
So please get yourself a large glass or mug of your favourite beverage, relax and take this all in. Just don’t ask me for help when your friends ask you to describe the experience! As I turned it all over in my mind, I was left reflecting on the lyrics to this album’s lead single, “Tourist at God’s Mercy”:
“Been there done that / Got the t-shirt / Still know nothing about you / I’ve sailed your oceans / Climbed your peaks / Still don’t have a clue / As to who / Still know nothing about you”.
I do however know what I like – and I really like this record!
