"A Winter's Night at the Crooked Forest" is a captivating album by Norwegian artist Ole Henrik Moe, released on January 25, 2013, under the Sofa label. This 41-minute journey into sound is a collaboration with violinist Kari Rønnekleiv, together known as Sheriffs of Nothingness, and features a unique blend of free improvisation and jazz elements.
The album's title track, "The winter's night at the crooked forest (requiem for a Nagra)," sets the stage for an atmospheric exploration of soundscapes and textures. Moe's viola and Rønnekleiv's violin weave intricate melodies and harmonies, creating a sense of depth and intrigue. The album also includes collaborations with other artists, such as Brian O. in "Dysfunctional folklore with Brian O." and A. Strype in "Peismusikk - fireplace (on request: A. Strype on fireplace)."
"A Winter's Night at the Crooked Forest" is not just a follow-up to Moe's previous works, "A Summer's Night at the Crooked Forest" (2011) and "Silent Night at the Crooked Forest" (2015), but a distinct and compelling exploration of its own. The album's title is inspired by the Crooked Forest in Poland, a real-life mystery of a grove of curved pine trees, adding an element of intrigue and mystery to the listening experience.
The album's tracks, such as "The first snow queen (Chelsea hotel)" and "The second snow queen (also Chelsea hotel)," evoke a sense of storytelling and imagery, while "Blizzard" and "You are walking on a sleeping summer" offer a contrast in mood and tempo. Throughout the album, Moe and Rønnekleiv's virtuosity and creativity shine, making "A Winter's Night at the Crooked Forest" a standout release in their discography.
