From Iceland — Tómas R. EinarssonLet Jazz be Bestoved on the Huts

Published July 22, 2005

Tómas R. Einarsson’s new CD draws its inspiration from W.H. Auden’s poetry, and draws its name from “Journey to Iceland.” Einarsson has effectively captured the euphoric abundance of Auden’s curious Iceland book, Letters from Iceland; however, as with Auden’s Letters, if you go in seeking a continuous clear line of thought or vision, you may find the work distracting. There are successes, specifically, the bolero “Heart”, sung by Kristjana Sefánsdóttir, is an easy-going classic, whereas “For Europe is absent” an interpretation of one of Auden’s great poems, falters badly and violates the spirit of the poem. “Icelandic Blues” presents a surprisingly on-key showing from Einar Örn Benediktsson. The CD seems to allow you to pick favourites, but to not want to keep your hand too far away from the next track button.