The second volume of music David Lindley and Henry Kaiser recorded in Norway is anything but leftovers; there was just so much quality it was impossible to fit it all onto one CD. Many of the same suspects who filled volume one are here, with guitarist Knut Reiersrud (most of whose tracks were recorded later) proving to be an absolute standout -- but only one of many. There's the wonderful vocal work of Tiriltunga, marvelous fiddle work -- mostly on the very Norwegian hardanger fiddle, with its sympathetic drone strings, from the lines of Annbjorg Lien and Susanne Lundeng, and even some excellent organ pieces, like Jon Faukstad's "The Soldier." The aim, really, is to show the range of Norwegian music, and in that it succeeds fully, from Tone Hulbaeko's "Sheep Call," which is nothing less than shrill, but still a part of the musical landscape to the brass of the Brazz Brothers and the complex band arrangements of Chateau Neuf Spelemannslag. It's an ambitious project, and it's certainly not field recordings per se, since these are professional musicians, but a way of showing the world what Norway has to offer. Some of these artists -- Lien, Reiersrud, Kirsten Braten Berg, and Chateau Neuf Spelemannslag -- have all gone on to bigger things, thanks in part to this album, but that doesn't make the others lesser musicians. They -- and the music on here -- is quite vital. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide