Trio Mio

Lovely music that manages to be complex but still eminently listenably. The three members interlock so well that they almost function as a single organism, playing together joyfully and empathetically – the nearest analogue is the Swedish group Väsen. The music Trio Mio makes is an absolute pleasure!

- Sing Out, USA

The three musicians play convincing and with great passion, and it is ferocious like hell and beautiful like heaven...!

Trio Mio has won my heart and deserves the best recommendations . I´m turned on by the Swedish-Nordic tone and the fussion with Jazz/rock and classical music.

I use the word ”folk music”, even though it is not mentioned in the credits at all. Probably on purpose, because then you will get rid of all the genre questions about right or wrong. Being the reviewer, I want to mention that there are both jazz, blues, rock and classical music in Trio Mio. But I can hear a basic nordic folk atmosphere in nearly all tunes, and most of them are named after dances like polska, waltz, schottisch or polka. And sometimes I get very happy because I can´t help thinking of Jan Johanson, Filarfolket, Väsen and other groups, that break down the limits. Listen to Trio Mio ´s ” The springlonging bluespolsk”, a simple little tune with a seductive piano intro. Or ”Vasa”, which reminds me of Birfilarmusic from Skåne In Sweden. Or ” Putting your foot down”, a spell-binding Swedish trip on the dance floor.
- Folk&Musik, DK

An exciting combination of Swedish and Danish folk influences filtered through three very talented musicians.
- Dirty Linen

Gentle contemporary Danish folk music, steeped in Scandinavian roots. The result is light and airy, swinging and pleasant music, interspersed with more energetic numbers.
- Folkworld

Trio Mio keep it light and transparent on this lovely release. Using Scandinavian folk idioms and acoustic instrumentation, they create a series of sweet, dancy little sonic stories. Though much of the music has a traditional folk dance sound to it, it's mostly newly composed. Danish fiddler Kristine Heebøll's energetic playing is at the center, shored up by countryman Nikolaj Busk's sweeping, glittering piano lines and Swedish guitarist Jens Ulvsand's driving rhythms.

They swoop easily from tight unison playing to complex counterpoint, leaving the listener breathless. The three have the warm musical communication that makes the music of English country dance band Bare Necessities so listenable and danceable. The harmonies often take on a jazzy tinge, and they strike a fine balance between artful improvisation and thoughtful arrangements. The slightly spacey "Gamla Lundagatan," for example, could easily stray off into the ether, but the off-kilter rhythm necessitates close attention to detail on the players' parts. "Edderfuglen" is a tender little piece named after a boat that carried Jews from Denmark to Sweden during World War II. A surprising trumpet solo by Jakob Holdensen gives the tune a tintype-tinged poignancy. On "Noget I Morgen," Heebølls' fiddle takes on a Hardanger-y drone before the piece takes a swingy turn, complete with thick, percussive piano chords and choral scat singing. The chugging rhythm of "Wrong Word, Right?" sets up a solid background that each player adorns in turn with his/her own brushstroke.

Listen for the wry little single bell tone near the end of this one. It's that gentle good humor and heartfelt warmth that makes Pigeon Folk Pieces such an appealing listen. - Rootsworld