Norwegian saxophonist and producer Piftemaen, whose name fittingly translates to โthe man with the whistle,โ returns with a soul-stirring reinterpretation of the timeless classic โThe House of the Rising Sun,โ featuring the mesmerizing vocals of Caroline Lavelle and the elegant bass of Clare Kenny. This collaboration breathes new life into a folk standard that has echoed across generations, from its early traditional roots to Eric Burdon, Joni Mitchell, and The Animalsโ 1960s anthem. But Piftemaenโs version stands in a world of its own, a haunting, atmospheric fusion of Celtic folk, jazz, and ambient soundscapes, bridging continents, generations, and musical sensibilities, while loosely recalling Mitchellโs lyric version.
Piftemaen, a self-taught saxophonist from Stavanger, spent decades playing in obscure rock and R&B outfits before turning toward more introspective and emotive soundscapes. This track marks both a creative reinvention and a bold statement of artistic freedom. Working remotely through shared sessions and digital stems, Lavelle, best known for her work with Loreena McKennitt, delivers an otherworldly performance, while Clare Kenny, famed for her collaborations with Sinรฉad OโConnor, anchors the song with a deep, tactile bass line.
The song opens with delicate percussion trembling like distant rain and a low, breathy hum of horns that set a mournful and sensual tone. Lavelleโs dusky and resonant voice enters with an air of lived sorrow as she revisits the famous melody. Her phrasing is deliberate and haunting, her tone rich with vulnerability. In this rendition, small lyrical shifts make a world of difference, for example, she sings, โMy sweetheart, heโs a drunk, my Lord / Drinks down in New Orleans,โ recasting the classicโs despair through a feminine lens of quiet endurance. Piftemaenโs saxophone rises and falls like a second voice, sighing and consoling, adding emotional gravitas without intruding.
โHouse of the Rising Sunโ has been reimagined countless times, but Piftemaenโs take stands apart, with itโs smoky, cinematic, and intimate mood, curating a slow burn of grief and grace. The cover resurrects while being rich in humanity and raw in beauty. Listen to it on Spotify.
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Review by: Naomi Joan