On the first weekend of July Fin Alfred and I will take the trip to Skagen Festival in the very North of Denmark. Fin will do a couple of concerts there, featuring a selection of his many songs, while playing the accordion. I’ll back him on the guitar, and sing along.
We are very much looking forward to visit Skagen and to meet the many fans of songs and ballads that travel to this exciting festival every year.
Fin Alfred has been singing and playing for more than 60 years, and in 2002 he went to Tønder in the very South of Denmark, to pick up a Danish Music Award (Danish “Grammy”), in the category “Danish Ballad Album of the Year”.
By using his large and unique collection of songs and ballads, Fin tells the story of the blacksmiths, the masons, and the other proud craft men, but he also tell about Bombardine, scavenger Niels, Olsen from Hauser Square, Sister Petrea and many more. Fin Alfred says:
”The young generation who grew up right after 1945 need to get out and see the world, and if you came from a home, like I did, where there were five people in three rooms, youth hostels and shelters around in Europe became a kind of refuge where young people met and played music and sang together. Being a traveler it was normal to carry a banjo, mandolin or guitar, and where ever we came we sang Danish, German and American folk songs. The songs still live around in the country, even they, with only a few exceptions, never is to be found in the acknowledged song books. Maybe they survive because they in a simple way expresses something basic about sorrow, happiness, hope and longing, indignation and doubt.”
Chris Nickson from the British folk, blues and world music magazine fRoots wrote:
“Apart from singing in a wonderfully warm, gentle voice, Fin Alfred contributes accordion, banjo and mandolin, all played very well (…) Now a mere 20 albums into his career, this look back on songs from his wanderings, the pieces that haven’t made it into songs books, offers a great insight into the roots of modern Danish folk music.”
We will be approaching Skagen with the car full of instruments, walking shoes, and cameras. Will we see you up there?
Get more info at: www.skagenfestival.dk