Showing posts with label Finland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Finland. Show all posts

13.5.15

One, Two, Happy, Ketun Reinon polkka :-)

 
Jouko Kyhälä

Filip Jers

New Scandinavian Harmonica
Vol. 1
2013

Tracks:

01. Brudmarsch efter familjen Dahl - 3:04
02. Ketun Reinon polkka - 3:32
03. Polska efter J. Bruun - 3:47
04. Gammal marsch från Gustav Vasas tid - 2:40
05. Lyckönskan - 3:11
06. Lorikspolska No. 3 - 2:23
07. Lakeuden Kutsu - 3:00
08. Orpolasten Polska - 3:05
09. Satiaisen Polska - 1:42
10. Polska från Skog - 2:58

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

.ღ•:*´♥`*:•ღ. 

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

Two harmonica professionals, Finnish traditional musician Jouko Kyhälä and Swedish jazz musician Filip Jers, met for the first time in 2011. Both were immediately fascinated by each others playing and they decided to make a co-operation one day.

They got specially excited about the idea of playing traditional music from their home countries with two harmonicas. The challenge of translating the music originally played on fiddle to harmonicas was rousing. From this challenge and the joy of playing together this CD was created.

This recording is a tribute to all great traditional musicians from Sweden and Finland. Especially the harmonica players.


The harmonica is found in many parts of Sweden and Finland. It has been used by traditional musicians for more than a hundred years. Everyone is familiar with this modest instrument, but very few people really know how it was played in the past, and even fewer know how to play it today.

Two of the leading harmonica specialists in Europe, Filip Jers from Sweden and Jouko Kyhälä from Finland have teamed up and formed a Scandinavian power duo. The duo performs traditional music from their home countries: rhythmic polskas, joyfull polkas, melancholy waltzes, schottisch, menuett and beyond. All played on only two harmonicas.

Filip Jers first heard the harmonica being played by his father when he was small child. It made an unforgettable impression on him, and twenty years later he graduated as the first harmonca player ever with jazz master’s degree from Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm. Jers is a third generation harmonica player, who inherited the tradition from his grandfather. Today Filip is the most in demand jazz harmonica player in Sweden. He performs with various ensembles and often as a special guest with big bands. Jers is also a member of the world music band Stockholm Lisboa Project.

Jouko Kyhälä began playing hammond organ as a teenager in rock bands. However, he soon discovered and fell in love with the harmonica, at which time he began studying traditional music at the Sibelius-Academy. He was the first harmonica player to be awarded a master’s degree from the Folk Music Department. A decade later he became the first Doctor of Arts in harmonica in Finland, perhaps even in Europe as well. Kyhälä is the leader of the internationally known harmonica quartet Sväng, and also plays in several other bands and performs as a solo artist.

In October 2013 these master musicians sat down in Jouko’s countryside studio in Kirkkonummi and recorded their debut cd!







*♥+
 

12.5.15

Doctor of the Harmonica

 
Jouko Kyhälä 
Saalas
2005

Tracks:

01. F-Polska - 5:03
02. Juusjärvi - 5:40
03. Maanitusta - 5:09
04. Rakkolevää - 5:58
05. Mäkliinin Uni Ja Syrjälän Kaappoon Polska - 5:15
06. Orpolasten Polska - 7:00
07. Savikankaan Polkka - 3:11
08. Lyckönskan Menuetti - 3:16
09. Taklaxin Polskamylly - 6:27
10. Kaikuja - 2:17
11. Lappfjärds Brudmarsch - 3:55

Musicians:

Jouko KYHÄLÄ : diatonic and chromatic harmonicas

Piia KLEEMOLA : fiddle, kantele
Janne LAPPALAINEN : bouzuki, low whistle
Abdissa ASSEFA : percussion
Pekka LEHTI : bass

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

.ღ•:*´♥`*:•ღ. 

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫
  
A mixture of finnish instrumental folk with new tunes and traditionals. Played by harmonica, violin, bouzoki, double bass, kantele and percussion. Serious delightful.

  
Mr. Harmonica Jouko Kyhälä steps out from his work with worlds’s top harmonica band Sväng, to make his first solo album with special guests. Kyhälä has the exquisite touch on his catchy original tunes and the trads. Guest stars grace the session and add richness to the sound: Piia Kleemola (violin), Pekka Lehti (bass), Janne Lappalainen from Värttinä (bouzoki) and Abdissa Assefa (percussion). Delightful joy of playing!

"I came to read historic documents about a great wedding that went on for days on end. All the music was played by a single musician, often a fiddler. I began to wonder what he played on the fifth day. I reckoned that he couldn’t have mastered a program of hundreds of tunes to satisfy the publics’ longing to dance. Finally I understood that a folk musician could improvise to produce a given dance forever. He knew the rhythms and the melodies so well that he quite simply just went on playing polska, mazurka or polka. He played music, not tunes!

This record is about the things I feel are important in my folk music: the joy of playing, the freedom of creating, improvisation and spontaneous reactions to the music making of others. I want to hear what people discover at the very moment they play music. I want to hear what they come up with on the fifth day of a party. I didn’t arrange the other musicians’ music beforehand, because I wanted to hear each time a fresh version by each player. The cd was recorded live as we played together in the same room. I did not want to record over or tidy up anything. This music was created as we played it, and that is what I want you to hear.

This record contains many discoveries made at the very moment of playing music as well as other discoveries and delight aroused by them. I do hope that they have the same effect on you." Says Jouko.
 
 
Harmonica maestro and multi-instrumentalist Jouko Kyhälä belongs to the top rank of Finnish folk music players. In addition to his own Saalas project, he leads the remarkable Sväng harmonica quartet and plays with Pekka Lehti & Outo voima, Markku Lepistö and many others. He also plays solo performances, which can range from acoustic folk music to experimental electronic sound-sculpting.

Kyhälä's musicianship is wide-ranging: In addition to folk music he has been involved with free improvisation, avant garde, contemporary classical and electronic music. Session playing on pop and jazz projects is also familiar territory for him, and he has worked extensively in film and theatrical productions. Kyhälä also has solid experience of working in the field of contemporary dance: He has composed and performed music for seven full length dance projects and worked for over 10 years in the Suomussalmi group of Finnish improvisational dance and music pioneers. Collaboration with visual artists has also played a strong part in his development as a musician.

Jouko Kyhälä is the first and so far the only graduate of Sibelius Academy to major in harmonica. The folk music department awarded him a masters degree in 1999 and Jouko continued his studies to become, this year (to the best of our knowledge), the world's first doctor of the harmonica!

Kyhälä's first solo record IMA-C was released in 2000. In this composition, Kyhälä combined electronics, harmonica, vocals and jouhikko into a highly imaginative fusion. His next solo record, Saalas, was released in 2005. This record concentrates on acoustic expression, the folk music of Kyhälä's homeland as well as his own folk music compositions. Other records featuring Kyhälä in the last few years have included Markku Lepistö's Silta and Pekka Lehti & Outo voima's Sohjo (both released on Aito Records). Kyhälä has performed on over 20 recordings and has worked in numerous diverse musical line-ups.

18.8.13

Voices from Finland

 
Loituma
Things Of Beauty
1998

Tracks:

01. Eriskummainen Kantele / My Kantele     3:42    
02. Kultaansa Ikävöivä / There Is My Lover     4:24    
03. Viimesen Kerran / The Very Last Time
    Arranged By – Loituma     3:10    
04. Minuet And Polska
    Translated By, Arranged By – Loituma     7:45    
05. Kun Mun Kultani Tulisi / Missing Him
    Translated By, Arranged By – Hanni-Mari Turunen, Timo Väänänen (2)     5:10    
06. Valamon Kirkonkellot / Valamo Cloister Bells
    Arranged By – Sari Kauranen, Timo Väänänen (2) Translated By – Teppana Janis  5:34    
07. Ai, Ai Taas Sattuu / Oh, Oh, It Hurts Again
    Arranged By – Loituma     3:43    
08. Suo / Marshland
    Arranged By – Sari Kauranen, Timo Väänänen (2) Composed By – Martti Pokela 6:49    
09. Kolme Kaunista / Three Things Of Beauty
    Arranged By – Loituma     4:18    
10. Ievan Polkka / Ieva's Polka

    Arranged By – Loituma Lyrics By, Translated By – Eino Kettunen 2:44

Personnel:

Hanni-Mari Turunen (vocals, kantele, fiddle, alto recorder, double bass, drums);
Sari Kauranen, Anita Lehtola, Timo Väänänen (vocals, kantele).

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

.ღ•:*´♥`*:•ღ.

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫
    
First released in Finland in a slightly different form, Loituma's Things of Beauty is the initial release from this Finnish quartet. Their specialty is the kantele, a Finnish harp, and they use this both in instrumental pieces and in multi-layered vocal arrangements. The music ranges from the lively interpretations of Finnish folk music to haunting pieces about mysterious marsh land. A light, sweet album that well deserves the attention ...
 ~ Steven McDonald Finnish Trad.Music

The kantele, a mix of harp, hammered dulcimer, and zither, is Finland's national instrument, and Loituma show the range of its possibilities on this album. Ranging from the traditional, like "Leva's Polka" (which was released as a Finnish single and hit the charts), to the modern, the band covers a musical territory that encompasses the atmospheric with Marti Pokela's insidious "Marshaland" and "Three Things of Beauty," whose words are adapted from Kalevala poetry, and bring to mind an acoustic Cocteau Twins. Originally formed by two singers who later moved to Hedningarna, Loituma produce a lovely balance of vocal and instrumental pieces that offer unalloyed joy while introducing American audiences to the light magic that is the kantele. ~ Chris Nickson
   
You read that Vainamoinen, hero the the Finnish epic "Kalevala" worked great feats of magic and charms by playing the Kantele (Finnish harp) as no other could. You will be a believer when you hear Loituma's "Things of Beauty." I was amazed at the wealth of undiscovered beauty that has been brought forth by Baltic Finnish culture. For example, the exquisite "Kolme Kaunista" 'Three Things of Beauty'. It captures the essence of that surge of joy one feels on a beautiful summer day. "Valamon Kirkonkellot" 'Valamo Cloister Bells' is exceptional in its conveyance of Karelian Orthodox bells. Timo Vaananen delivers a beautiful vocal performance in "Kultaansa Ikavoiva" 'There is My Lover' alongside Sanna-Kurki Sounio's (now of Hedningarna fame) lovely "Eriskumainen Kantele" 'My Kantele.' This album is a gem. ~ weller29
  
 
Yes, I am not the only one, Ieva's Polka got me hooked, some time ago... and it's still around...
listen now, if you haven't done it before... You're lucky!

 
The melody of "Ievan Polkka" is very similar to Savitaipaleen polkka, and in South Karelia the Ievan Polkka is also known as "Savitaipaleen polkka". The melody is also very similar to a folk dance from the area of Smolensk in Western Russia, which is known as Smolenski gusačok ("смоленский гусачок"/"Small Gander in Smolensk").

The melody can be traced back to the Viipuri Province in the 18th century when the border with the Kingdom of Sweden ran west of the province. The number of Russian soldiers stationed in the border area outnumbered the locals for many decades. At the beginning of the 19th century collectors of Finnish folk dances and folk songs all mention that the dances in the area of Luumäki-Savitaipale were Russian dances only and didn't write them down. Locals who are well-versed in folk music agree the melody is very old and likely to have been known back in the early 19th century and therefore probably of even older origin. However, the polka genre is of much later date. Polka was introduced in northern Europe during the late 19th century, which implies that the actual tune as it is known today originates from this era...


Lumberjack band 1952 

 


27.12.12

And now ... Olavi Virta ...

  
Olavi Virta
20 suosikkia / Hopeinen kuu


Tracks:

01. Armi - Olavi Virta - 2:49
02. Unelmatango -Tango du reven- - Olavi Virta - 3:04
03. Carmen Sylva - Olavi Virta - 3:04
04. La Cumparsita - Olavi Virta ja Metro-Tytöt - 2:36
05. Hymy -Smile- - Olavi Virta - 2:42
06. Täysikuu - Olavi Virta - 3:04
07. Syysunelmia - Olavi Virta ja Harmony Sisters - 3:01
08. Kylmä rakkaus - Olavi Virta - 2:26
09. Assuncion - Olavi Virta - 3:21
10. Saavuthan jälleen Roomaan - Olavi Virta - 3:18
11. Tango Desirée - Olavi Virta - 3:13
12. Mustalaisruhtinatar - Olavi Virta - 3:30
13. Hurmio (Ecstacy) - Olavi Virta - 3:00
14. Lazzarella - Olavi Virta - 3:28
15. Hopeinen kuu -Guarda che luna- - Olavi Virta - 3:21
16. Kuinka saatoitkaan -Oh, What You Do To Me- - Olavi Virta - 2:41
17. Johnny, mua muistathan -Johnny, Remember Me- - Olavi Virta - 2:36
18. Kun ilta ehtii - Olavi Virta - 2:36
19. Yö kerran unhoa annoit - Olavi Virta - 2:34
20. Sateinen ilta -Soir de pluie- - Olavi Virta - 3:06
  
♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

.ღ•:*´♥`*:•ღ.

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆

 Olavi Virta (originally to 1926 Oskari Olavi Ilmen) (27 February 1915, Sysmä, Finland – 14 July 1972, Tampere, Finland) was a Finnish singer, acclaimed as the king of Finnish tango. Between 1939 and 1966 he recorded almost 600 songs, many of which are classics of Finnish popular music, and appeared in many films and theatrical productions. Of his most acclaimed tangos are Punatukkaiselle tytölleni (For my red haired girl), Ennen kuolemaa (Before death) (Avant de mourir) and Täysikuu (Full moon), while standouts from his other popular music are Poika varjoisalta kujalta (Boy from a shady alley) (Guaglione), Hopeinen kuu (Silver moon) (Guarda Che Luna), Eva and Kultainen nuoruus (The golden youth). He was also the second tenor of the quartet Kipparikvartetti in the early 1950s. At the beginning of his career he received three gold records for the songs Ennen kuolemaa, Tulisuudelma (El Choclo) and La Cumparsita. Olavi Virta's career was cut short by a scandalous arrest for drunken driving in 1962, after which the press mockingly called him "The Singing Meatball." Ten years later he succumbed to alcoholism, living his final years in poverty.


  
In the 1950's and 1960's many classic covers were born and one of them is Fred Buscaglione's Guarda che luna that Olavi Virta, one of the most loved Finnish singers ever, recorded as Hopeinen kuu. Ever since this song has been part of most every tango singers repertoire and his been recorded dozens if not hundreds of times by various singers. A real classic and evergreen in Finland.



thanks to na'uma for the wink : )

~o~

31.12.11

¡Feliz año nuevo!


may all your wishes come true : )

12.1.11

Finnish Folk Song

  
Folk Voices
Finnish Folk Song Through Ages
1999

Tracks:

01. Kuulin aanen (I Heard the Voice) - MeNaiset - 03:37
02. Hiien hirven hihdanta (Hunting the Devil's Elk) - Heikki Laitinen - 03:03
03. Rakkauden Myrkky Kaikki Surut Tappaa (Love's Poison Kills All Sorrows) - Von/AF - 02:24
04. Tellun Polska (Tellu's Polska) - Tellu - 02:11
05. Lehmikutsu (Calling the Cows) - Meri Tiitola - 02:34
06. Tulen Synty Loitsu (the Origin of Fire) - Tiina Kaaresvirta/Petri Korpela - 02:26
07. O Kriste, Kunnian Kuningas (O Christ, King of Glory) - Tallari - 04:25
08. Heikin Polska (Heikki's Polska) - Heikki Laitinen/Erik Siikasaari -02:17
09. Merin Polskarallatus (Meri's Polska) - Meri Tiitola - 01:25
10. Laksin mina kesayona kaymaan (One Night in the Summer I Did Wander) - Sanna Kurki-Suonio - 04:08
11. Morsiamen Itketys (the Bride's Weeping) - MeNaiset - 04:37
12. Oi aiti (O Mother) - Pia Rask - 01:33
13. Pommaripoika (Lucky Lad) - Heikki Laitinen - 02:07
14. Istuinpa sankys laidalla (I Sat on Thy Bed) - Sirkka Mostrom - 02:35
15. Varfar grymtar du (Why Are You Sad) - Marianne Maans - 00:53
16. En sjaman ar sa litet estimerad (A Seaman Ejoys Little Esteem) - Marianne Maans - 02:20
17. Tuolla Mun Kultani (Yonder My Sweetheart) - Tellu - 02:16
18. Illan Hiljaisuudessa (in the Still of the Evening) - Von/AF - 04:32
19. Tuu Tuu Tupakkarulla (Lully My Baby) - Sanna Kurki-Suonio - 02:14

Artists:

MeNaiset Vocal Ensemble
Tallari
Von & Af
Tiina Kaaresvirta, conjuring
Pertti Korpela, shaman's drum
Sanna Kurki-Suonio, vocalist
Marianne Maans, vocalist
Sirkka Moström, vocalist
Pia Rask, vocalist
Meri Tiitola, vocalist
Tellu Turkka, vocalist
Tellu Virkkala, soprano
  
♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫
        
        
♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫
 
Folk music is typically influenced by Karelian traditional tunes and lyrics of the Kalevala metre. Karelian heritage has traditionally been perceived as the purest expression of Finnic myths and beliefs, thought to be spared from Germanic and Slavic influences. In the west of the country, more mainstream Nordic folk music traditions prevail. The Sami people of northern Finland have their own musical traditions, collectively Sami music. Finnish folk music has undergone a roots revival in the recent decades, and has also become a part of popular music.

Spirits of the North

9.1.11

Oskar

  
Oskar Merikannon kauneimmat
Best of Oskar Merikanto
1993 
 
Tracks:

01 - Kesäillan valssi
02 - Valse lente
03 - Romanssi
04 - Mä oksalla ylimmällä
05 - Annina
06 - Pai, pai paitaressu
07 - Itkevä huilu
08 - Merellä
09 - Tuulan tei
10 - Miss' soutaen tuulessa
11 - Soi vienosti murheeni soitto
12 - Lastentaru takkavalkealla
13 - Idylli
14 - Scherzo
15 - Oi muistatko vielä sen virren
16 - Laatokka
17 - Miksi laulan
18 - Myrskylintu
19 - Jo valkenee kaukainen ranta
20 - Kesäillan idylli
with Izumi Tateno, Raija Kerppo, Kaija Saarikettu, Erkki Rautio,
Ralf Gothoni, Jorma Hynninen, Jaakko Ryhänen, ...
  
♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫
        
        
♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫
  
Biography by Robert Cummings

Oskar Merikanto was undoubtedly overshadowed by his Finnish countryman and contemporary, Jean Sibelius. That said, Merikanto was an important musical figure in his sphere still, particularly for his work in opera, song, and church music. He was instrumental in bringing operatic performances to the stage in Finland, and his Pohjan neiti (Maiden of the North) was the first Finnish-language opera ever produced. In the realm of church music Merikanto was active both as an educator and composer. But he will probably be best remembered for his songs. A good many of them from his numerous collections (nearly 150 in all!) and from among various lone efforts scattered throughout his output without opus, are regularly heard in recitals and on recordings. Perusing Merikanto's works list, one is struck by its enormity: for chorus alone there are well over 100 entries (some representing sizable collections), and for piano over 80, a body of work that contains, however, not one sonata or concerto! Merikanto typically wrote short works for solo instruments and voice, but his operas and incidental scores for the theater broke with this miniature-like pattern.

Oskar Merikanto was born in Helsinki, Finland, on August 5, 1868. Like Sibelius, his parents were Swedish speakers. The family name, too, Mattsson, was Swedish, which the father changed to the more Finnish-sounding Merikanto. Young Oskar divulged musical talent early on, with exceptional skills on the organ and piano.

In the period 1887-1888, Merikanto studied music at the Leipzig Conservatory. Even by this time, though, he was already active as a composer, with numerous piano works to his credit, including the Fantasia, for four hands (1885) and Two Träumerei (1887), as well as pieces for organ and songs.

Merikanto concluded his studies in Berlin in 1890-1891. In 1893 his son Aarre was born. He would also become a noted composer, his father being his first teacher and a profound influence in his life. In 1898 the elder Merikanto wrote the aforementioned opera Pohjan neiti, but it was not staged until 1908. From the early twentieth century Merikanto worked to promote opera in Finland, conducting and arranging many major performances.

Merikanto remained quite active in composition throughout his life. Perhaps his most popular sacred work, the hymn Thank you, Lord! from 1924, was among his last. But it still showed his usual mastery and inspiration. Merikanto died in Hausjärvi-Oitti on February 17, 1924.
  
***
  
Merikanto was the first composer in Finland to use Finnish texts in his songs, and this is the cause of the widespread popularity that his songs enjoy even today almost a century after many of them were written. A sympathetic interpretation by the deservedly distinguished Finnish baritone Jorma Hynninen adds considerably to the simple beauty of these songs. Merikanto had produced over 150 songs at his death in 1924, many of which are surprisingly Schubertian for a composer who consistently rejected the German influence in favour of developing his own national voice.
  
***
 
  
This is one of these rare records that touched my heart from the first note played till the last one and repeat and again ... not a weak track ... well best of ... I have to admit that I did not know Oskar Merikanto ... yes I don't know much ... but now I do ... I always loved Jorma Kaukonen (I had to make this joke, but its no joke :)) ... and now there is Jorma Hynninen too ... just got it cause it says Finlandia, this label I knew ...  many of his songs have attained folk song status in Finland ... no wonder :) 
Tio Miguel (some time ago) 

  

7.1.11

Jorma

  
Jorma Hynninen
Ilkka Paananen
Elämälle - Songs By Oskar Merikanto

2008

Tracks:

1 Omenankukat (Apple blossom)1:22
2 Linnulle kirkkomaalla (To a Bird in the Churchyard)1:52
3 Suvi-illan vieno tuuli (Summer Evening’s Breeze)1:41
4 Muistellessa (Remembering)3:55
5 Miksi laulan (Why I Sing)1:11
6 Kullan murunen (You Are a Nugget of Gold)1:37
7 Merellä (At Sea)4:13
8 Myrskylintu (Stormbird)3:03
9 Laatokka (Lake Ladoga)3:30
10 Iltakellot (Evening Bells)2:37

Haudoilta-sarja (From the Graves)
11 Valkeat ristit (White Crosses)2:39
12 Laulaja taivaan portilla (A Singer at the Gate of Heaven)1:36
13 Käy kirkkomaata illoin (In the Churchyard at Eventide)4:15
14 Päivännousu kultaa kirkkomaan (Sunrise Gilds the Churchyard)1:58

15 Hyvästi! (Farewell!)1:22
16 Hyvää yötä (Good Night)2:22
17 Hämärissä (In the Twilight)1:26
18 Elämälle (To Life)2:13
19 Annina3:32
20 Illansuussa (At Nightfall)1:57
21 Nocturne2:25
22 Balladi (Ballad)2:38
23 Nuoruuden ylistys (Praise of Youth)1:59
24 Soi vienosti murheeni soitto (Play Softly, Thou Tune of My Mourning)1:54
25 Ma elän! (I Am Alive!)1:29

Personnel:

Jorma Hynninen: Baritone
Ilkka Paananen: Piano
Frans Oskar Merikanto (1868 - 1924)- Composer
  
♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫
        
        
♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫
  
Oskar Merikanto was apparently a very popular composer in Finland during the years around 1900; the booklet notes tell of a Helsinki musician touring the countryside and being asked whether there were any other great composers in Helsinki besides Merikanto. Merikanto made a varied living of the sort undertaken by composers in nascent concert scenes, working as a pianist, church organist, "organ inspector" (whatever that was), conductor, critic, and teacher. He wrote about 150 songs, pleasant, foursquare creations with attractive melodies that have drawn comparisons to Paolo Tosti. They're not quite that far toward the popular end of the spectrum, but they don't sound like Sibelius at all, and they show minimal influence from any composer of German lieder after Schubert. Probably the closest comparison would be Tchaikovsky's songs: imagine the Nocturne, track 21, in Russian, and you can imagine that Merikanto started from some of the same Tchaikovskian sources Sibelius did, even if he went in a different direction. More is generally happening in the accompaniment than in the vocal line, and baritone Jorma Hynninen and pianist Ilkka Paananen execute the balance here -- simple, sensuous vocal line underlaid by fairly detailed piano part -- very well. The more serious pieces, such as the cycle of four songs From the Graves, Op. 74 (tracks 11-14), are the most successful, but there are also folk-like pieces (try the slight Suvi-illan vieno tuuli [Summer's Evening Breeze], Op. 87/2, track 3) that will stick with you. ... All texts are in Finnish and English. ~ James Manheim
  
  
Jorma Hynninen is one of the most celebrated Finnish vocal artists. This disc contains the legendary baritone's very personal account of songs by his compatriot Oskar Merikanto (1868-1924). Many of the 25 songs remain to this day among the all-time favourite Finnish songs of any genre (such as the title song of this disc, Elämälle - 'To life').

During his lifetime, Oskar Merikanto was just as popular as Jean Sibelius. He was the co-founder of what would become the Finnish National Opera and composed major contributions to the song and opera repertoire: a real master of melody who incorporated elements of folk music into his works, Merikanto rightly provokes comparisons with such composers as Schubert and Mahler.

Jorma Hynninen has contributed not only to a renewal in the art of interpreting solo songs but also to the creation of contemporary operas by Rautavaara and

Sallinen, to name but two composers. His greatest musical love though has always been Lieder, a genre on which he successfully concentrates on this new recording.

Pianist Ilkka Paananen has appeared numerous times together with Jorma Hynninen and is an equally appreciated Lied partner of Elina Garanca, Dilbèr, Matti Salminen and Gabriel Suovanen.
 
wiki
  

Oskar Merikanto composed himself – especially with his songs - into the hearts of Finnish people; Jorma Hynninen makes the same with his masculine, sensitive voice which has still grown richer.
Pentti Ritolahti, Sana, March 6, 2008
 

Jorma

  
Jorma Kaukonen
River of Time

2009

Tracks:

01. "Been So Long" (Jorma Kaukonen) – 3:58
02. "There's a Bright Side Somewhere" (Rev. Gary Davis) – 3:01
03. "Cracks in the Finish" (Kaukonen) – 3:30
04. "Another Man Done a Full Go Round" (Roy Book Binder) – 3:39
05. "Trouble In Mind" (Traditional) – 3:25
06. "Izze's Lullaby" (Kaukonen) – 3:32
07. "More Than My Old Guitar" (Merle Haggard) – 3:45
08. "Nashville Blues" (Alton Delmore, Raybon Delmore) – 3:23
09. "A Walk with Friends" (Kaukonen, Barry Mitterhoff, Larry Campbell) – 4:33
10. "Operator" (Ron McKernan) – 3:48
11. "Preachin on the Old Camp Ground" (Mississippi John Hurt) – 3:48
12. "River of Time" (Kaukonen) – 2:56
13. "Simpler Than I Thought" (Kaukonen) – 6:10

Personnel:

    * Jorma Kaukonen – guitars, vocals
    * Larry Campbell – guitar, baritone guitar, tenor guitar, resophonic guitar, fiddle, dobro, mandolin, cittern, percussion, producer
    * Barry Mitterhoff – banjo, mandolin, tenor guitar
    * Lincoln Schleifer – bass
    * Levon Helm – drums on "Cracks in the Finish" and "Trouble in Mind"
    * Teresa Williams – vocals on "More Than My Old Guitar", "Nashville Blues" and "Preachin' on the Old Camp Ground"
    * Myron Hart – bass on "More Than My Old Guitar" and "Nashville Blues", vocals on "Preachin' on the Old Camp Ground"
    * Justin Guip – drums on "More Than My Old Guitar", "Nashville Blues", and "Operator"
 
♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫
        
        
♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫
 
While America was in the throes of rock & roll's dawn, his ears were elsewhere as a devotee of acoustic bluesmen of the past. After relocation to San Francisco, he was one of the first to back another recent arrival (from Texas) named Janis Joplin. As founding member of Jefferson Airplane, he became pioneering architect of the guitar sound that became the genre Psychedelic Rock. His music became the soundtrack of the Counterculture and the Woodstock Generation, it's accompanying lifestyle / philosophy influenced millions. At the height of Airplane's fame as the most successful American rock band of the 1960s, he walked away to play roots music in Hot Tuna. The following decades he forged his own solo career and continued with Hot Tuna, was elected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and founded the Fur Peace Guitar Ranch.

RIVER OF TIME is the perfect distillation of the journey, some 50 years after he bought his first guitar.

Produced by Larry Campbell (Dylan Band) at Levon Helm's Woodstock studio, RIVER features Levon on drums and a cast of stellar musicians including mandolin virtuoso Barry Mitterhoff. Campbell also plays and his wife Teresa Williams lends her outstanding vocal prowess.

Six of it's thirteen songs are Jorma originals, a prolific showcase with themes of family, friends and inspired memory throughout.

The album also revisits the blues and country music that Jorma first fell in love with in his youth, featuring bright new interpretations of Mississippi John Hurt, Merle Haggard and Rev. Gary Davis...and pays tribute to old friend "Pigpen" Ron McKernan on the Grateful Dead's "Operator." Whether reinterpreting classics or crafting new originals and shimmering instrumentals, RIVER OF TIME finds Jorma at the top of his game with inventive arrangements and his strongest songwriting to date.
 
 
Time has aged Kaukonen's voice into a warm, deep chestnut grain, his vocal approach to the songs ranging from an energetic whisper to a soulful drawl. Accompanied by his impressive guitarwork, which Kaukonen has honed to near perfection over the past five decades, the songs on River of Time are a near-perfect blend of Delta-inspired blues and dustbowl folk that is lively, thoughtful, and laid-back with a carefree energy that makes the album a real pleasure to hear.