It’s not too hard to imagine a clarinet in a folk song: There’s something about the instrument’s soft, rich tone that supplies a sort of visceral warmth, adding shading and texture without overwhelming the arrangement.
In Sjofn’s debut full length CD “Secret” Paul Monsarrat allows the clarinet to do all the work of a typical band. Sjofn’s own work is beautifully sparse and light with vocals and guitar. Monsarrat gives additional heft with his clarinet, especially in the soaring solos.
Sjofn is a charmingly unassuming singer-songwriter who lives in Alaska, but calls Iceland her home. As a performer, she has a voice so naturally quiet that she almost does the opposite of projecting her voice — she seems to sing inward, in a way that gives her music unmistakable intimacy. Though “Whiskey” is by far her most popular song, her vulnerability makes her an ideal match for the clarinet’s mixture of grace and warmth.
Listen to Sjofn’s CD “Secret” at itunes, gogoyoko, Amazon, CD Baby, and Parallax Sounds Records.
~ Shar
