Mostly finnish music

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Peg
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 02:29 PM

Just got to see Swedish band Garmarna twice this week in Boston; I tell ya, I think Scandinavian music is the next big thing, the next "Celtic" of popular world music, if you will...but I think there is apurity to it that will disallow some of the cheesy, new agey stuff that purported to be "Celtic"...

mark my words...these bands and others will be red-hot in another year...

peg

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: The Shambles
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 02:31 PM

I think it was last year. I went to the Barbican in London, where they had a whole afternoon devoted to Finnish music. It just never seemed to finnish (sorry).

No it was a very enjoyable day. The music was interesting and very varied. The singing was certainly distinctive. I unfortunately cannot remember any of the names but there was a group of fiddle players and a group with a chap playing bass sax.

I leant that the tango was very popular in Finland….. Is that so?

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 10:02 PM

Peg, I hope you're right about Nordic music not getting cheesy and new-agey.

I went to my first Garmarna show... Geez, six years ago maybe? The night before that show, they played at First Avenue in Minneapolis (a show I missed) and I'm told there were maybe a dozen people there. Now their shows are packed (until some of people who weren't aware that this concert would be LOUD start trickling out early). Even though it means I have a harder time getting good seats, it's good to see so many people liking something so great.

And let me once again push the Nordic Roots Festival in Minneapolis down your throats. If anyone lives in the area, or will be in town that week (April 19-22, 2001), or is willing or able to travel up here, it's the greatest. Just don't kick me too hard when trying to grab the front seats.

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Jul 00 - 12:09 AM

Well, I have sheet music for Fins Jenta and Pols, and maybe a couple more, but I can't play any of them. Can't figure out why, either..........dots is dots, right?

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Margaret V
Date: 22 Jul 00 - 09:09 AM

Except when they're on top of letters instead of alongside notes. . .! Margaret

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 22 Jul 00 - 09:32 AM

¥ëâh, Ï kñøw whㆠÿ¤ü mèªñ¸¸¸

———Lëpµ§ ®£×

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: jets
Date: 22 Jul 00 - 10:45 AM

Let me say that, although Finnish music sounds very simple, I find that guitar players have a very hard time with it.As one guitar player explained,you expect the cord is going to change but it does not.But often when it does ,it does so only briefly. I seldom play at sessions for the guitar players are at a loss.

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Margaret V
Date: 22 Jul 00 - 12:09 PM

Jets, interesting perspective on the guitar players' chord-changing difficulty. I think Sorcha plays fiddle; any ideas on what might be giving her trouble? (As an aside, I just opened up my brand new copy of Hedningarna's "Kaksi;" a very fun way to spend a Saturday especially when I should really be cleaning the house...) Margaret

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Margaret V
Date: 04 Aug 00 - 10:02 PM

Hey, Jets, just wanted to say good luck and have fun at the festival this weekend! I wish I were a little closer to Maine so that I could hear the band play, but keep us posted on other opportunities. Andy, my friend has just repaired her turntable so now I must lend her my cassette deck and before you know it we should be able to make tapes from vinyl. Hooray! Margaret

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: GUEST,andy (moocow)mööer
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 06:58 AM

hei!!............pheeew ,I'm back from horrible-working in Salzburg,But must leave Innsbruck again (Salzburg bound) on Tuesday..................Margaret, that turntable news is great,when things happen I'll record the only finnish cd I have here in Austria(my cds are at home). The shambles,The tango IS definitely part of the finnish tradition ,but I've only heard a couple(finnish ones ,that is).I suppose since I'm completely obsessed with the Soumi sound I may as well peek into the Tango side of things. And......Garmana ,........they're pretty great. a lot of swedish music seems to have that same dark sound as the finnish.................................................................lots of dots,Andy

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Margaret V
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 12:23 AM

Hey, Andy, sorry your work is dragging you around to places you don't want to go. What are you doing over there without your Finnish music anyway?! And how do people like Frifot? Best, Margaret

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 12:53 AM

I like Frifot! Surprise, surprise, eh?

Lena Willemark, Ale Möller, and Per Gudmundson are also all in the Nordan Project, which is really good, too.

Last time they (Frifot) played here, Ale Möller and Aly Bain played before Frifot came on, which rocked.

---Lepus Rex, who now wants to listen to Swedish bagpipes, dammit...

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Margaret V
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 01:00 AM

Sorry, Lepus, is it too late at night to listen to the Swedish bagpipes, or do you mean you want to hear them live?! Margaret

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 01:05 AM

Hmmm, Margaret...That all depends: Do you think Per Gudmundson would fly in from Sweden for me tonight? And it's NEVER too late for bagpipes;)

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Margaret V
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 01:20 AM

Well, if you say please he might. Can you tell us a little more about the Nordan Project? I like Frifot very much and would be interested in their other work. It may never be too late for bagpipes, but it IS too late for me to still be up playing on Mudcat... Goodnight, Margaret

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 02:41 AM

Sure, Margaret... Nordan Project has released two (that I know of) albums, 'Nordan' and 'Agram' on ECM. The cds are actually labelled 'Lena Willemark/Ale Möller', but they're only two of the members, so that seems kind of unfair...

They play mostly old Swedish ballads and folk songs, but in a less 'folky,' more jazzy way than Frifot. Their albums are probably at your local record shop, but they can be hard to find: I've seen them in the 'folk' section, sometimes in 'jazz', sometimes in 'international'... One time I saw them sitting in 'easy listening.'

But if you like Frifot, I'd really recommend them:)

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 04:07 AM

Ah, Shambles and Andy: JPP put out an album called 'I've Found a New Tango' a few years back, if you can find it. And they've got tangos here and there on their other albums, too.

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 04:14 AM

And, looking around on the Finnish section at Digelius, because I'm bored, I found: A band called 'Tango Kings;' compilations called 'Finnischer Tango' and 'Suuret Suomalaiset Tangot;' and more. And JPP, like I mentioned before... If you care, go look;)

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lena
Date: 12 Aug 00 - 05:33 AM

ANDY!!!!!ANDY MOER

At the National,this year...I was told they're the two players who came here years ago together with two dancers.

Lindsay wasn't there this year,alas...He's usually more likely to be found at Woodford.I know which National you went to...I wasn't there but was told about it.Martin Carthy was there as well,he?!

Are you going to perform here again next year?!Did you apply for 2001 National?!We REALLY need more finnish music down here....let me know please

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: GUEST,andy mööer
Date: 11 Sep 00 - 07:06 AM

Well! now I'm back home again,From 3 weeks in Holland with my girlfriend,funny I come back to Austria and Its the first bit of sunshine and heat(I've had) for 21 days But the lowlands are'nt really famous for the sunshine. so hello again,and Hello Lena! yes I think I remember seeing Martin carthy that year,but sometimes the 5 nationals form one big conglomerate festival in my mind,(with a bit of Woodford,Cobargo and Majors creek thrown in).You know....I was wondering why 'Mr Malaska' was ringing enormous bells in my head,must've been too loud to extract any sence from it.What does that 'shop -Martin carthy,Linsay' (at the top of your message) thing mean?? .And do you live in Canberra? I did ,for 8 years the band I was in is now called 'Katushya',you might have wandered in their direction at the last national Probably only 5 percent of their stuff is Finnish(if that). In Amsterdam I bought a dubious-looking cd called 'the rough guide to Scandinavia,I dont usually go in for that sort of thing ,but it was one of those rare times where i had money to waste.Asit turned out it was'nt a waste there were some good things that I had'nt heard before like FRIFOT .and other swedish and Norweigan bands. I've said enough for today ,bis spater ,Andy.

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: GUEST,andy mööer
Date: 11 Sep 00 - 07:11 AM

Umm looks like I have'nt said enough yet. Lena,no I wont be at the 2001 national the next time I go back to Australia might be late this year,to visit my parents and that does'nt really coincide with the nat a.

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 11 Sep 00 - 04:38 PM

Wow, this thread's back? Swell. Welcome 'back', andy. Holland, grr... Gelderland kicks either Hollands' ASS! ;)

Wimme and Hedningarna are playing here this month... Gotta get some tickets...

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: GUEST,Andy mööööööööööööööer
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 08:55 AM

pwww ,Wimme AND Hedningarna!!!,I'm jelous. What a lucky duck you are!,where is it that they're playing?.

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 11:22 AM

Andy, at the Cedar Cultural Centre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sorry, Andy, not your neighborhood, eh? I just got my ticket confirmation this morning, so I'm happy:) They've got US tour dates at NorthSide.
Garmarna's coming up, too...
---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Margaret V
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 01:05 PM

Thanks for the link, rabbit. Looks like I could go see Garmarna for free in New York City, the day after I get back from Ireland. Enjoy the shows! Margaret

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 02:20 PM

Free?! AND you get to go to Ireland. Lucky... :) I'm going to try and see Garmarna twice, once with their regular, loud show, and once with the Hildegard von Bingen stuff.

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Margaret V
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 11:00 PM

That would be lucky, too, Lepus! Despite (or perhaps because of) the fact that I am an erstwhile medievalist, I'd much rather hear the loud stuff than the Hildegard stuff.... Anyway, nothing's REALLY free in NYC; by the time you get there, ride a subway, and drink some water you've spent fifty bucks! Margaret

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 22 Sep 00 - 03:32 AM

I'd rather hear the loud stuff, too. The last time they played their Hildegard stuff here, I got a little bored. But Garmarna's still one of my favourite bands, so I'll be there:)

I hope Triakel comes through town this year, too...

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: GUEST,andy mööer
Date: 25 Sep 00 - 08:22 AM

who's Triakel?

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Sep 00 - 09:31 AM

Guest, Andy (can't do your last name, sorry),

I haven't heard much Finnish music performed by others, but I am learning how to play the accordion, and some of my favorite pieces that I'm learning to play are traditional Finnish waltzes.

Do you play traditional Finnish music yourself? If so, do you have any helpful advice for a beginner like myself?

Best regards,

Carol

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Peg
Date: 25 Sep 00 - 11:44 AM

Triakel is a more traditional band that Emma Hardelin also sings with (she of Garmarna); when are Garmarna playing NYC? We are hoping to get them back in Boston this fall!

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 25 Sep 00 - 10:12 PM

Peg, they'll be in NYC on Nov. 8th at the WFC Winter Garden. It says they'll be adding more dates at NorthSide. They'll be here, in Minneapolis, TWICE thistour. (Nyaaaah-nyaaaah!) :)

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Margaret V
Date: 26 Sep 00 - 12:15 PM

Carol, you might want to try a message to jets (see his posts above), as he plays accordion in a trad. Finnish band. Best, Margaret

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: CarolC
Date: 26 Sep 00 - 02:24 PM

Thanks, Margaret.

Carol

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: jets
Date: 26 Sep 00 - 07:39 PM

Carol: A great source for Finnish music played solo on a Honner c/g accordion is by Richard Koski. Richard sat down and recorded 52 old songs that he had learned from his father.He did so for he felt that these old songs were being forgoten and lost.

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: CarolC
Date: 27 Sep 00 - 12:04 AM

Thanks jets.

Do you know how easy or difficult it is to obtain a copy of this recording?

Also, the pieces that I like the best so far, are Metsakukkia, and Viimeinen Valssi. Can you recommend any other pieces with a similar sound?

Carol

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: jets
Date: 27 Sep 00 - 09:57 AM

vumeinen Valssie or The Last waltz is one of the tunes that my band plays.It is in Am.Another in Am is Sillalailla Tallalilla or This way ,That way. These and other like songs are on the Koski tape. Email me @ [e-mail] for puchasing details. Another that we do that I am sure that you would like ,as we do, is The flowers of the forest in Em I am told that it is actualy a Swedish piece

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: CarolC
Date: 27 Sep 00 - 09:05 PM

Thanks, jets. Will do.

Carol

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: GUEST,andy mööer
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 06:34 AM

thanks peg for the short spiel on Triakel,I'll have To get myself a listen. CarolC!,I'm a mandolin player so I'm not really licenced to give you accordian tips ,HOWEVER! I got a lot of my Finnish tunes from a cds by Ottopasuuna (they have 2 albums,the first has more trad stuff).Of all the finnish recordings I have ,Ottopasuunas stuff is the easiest to learn ,cos the arrangements are very uncluttered and the tunes are'nt too quick. well worth a listen if you can.Also their cds are easy to get,you could try the Arctic Paradise homepage If you have trouble elsewhere. And welcome to the beautiful world of finnish music!!!!! Andy.

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: jets
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 09:33 AM

Another recording of Finnish music that I would recomend is ," Saturday Night Sauna" by the Crumtown Ramblers from The finger lake region of New York. Richard Korski plays the 2 row with this band. The tape is available from the Button Box ,Amherst Mass.

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: CarolC
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 01:23 PM

Thanks Andy. The world of Finnish music is a beautiful one indeed!

Thanks again, jets.

Best Wishes,

Carol

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: The Half Fiddler
Date: 29 Sep 00 - 08:19 AM

I like Finnish music. I has been in Kaustinen last year, to play for the festival and my finnish friend show me many finnish band, but I don't remember the names. I have a particular interessa about north europe especially scandinavia. I have seen some islandic and scandinavian mudcatter. Do you like write some folk groups of your country ?

Ciao Vincenzo

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 29 Sep 00 - 05:03 PM

I'm getting ready to see Wimme Saari tonight. Saw Hedningarna last night, and they kicked ass. First time I've seen them with Magnus Stinnerbom (from Harv) and Liisa Matveinen in the band, and they were great. Anyone who hasn't seen Hedningarna live, make a pilgrimage to their next concert. Pawn your organs. Sell your children into indentured servitude. Rob a bank. Or maybe not. But it's a great show:)

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 30 Sep 00 - 08:36 AM

Wimme was excellent, too. Had great seats again (two hours early again). The show seemed kind of short, though. Wimme's joiking was beautiful, and he told some interesting and funny stories about his family and childhood between songs. The music was great, too. The guy sitting next to me came all the way from Utah for the Wimme and Hedningarna shows, which was pretty damned cool. Again, pawn your kids! :)

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Peg
Date: 02 Oct 00 - 04:24 PM

so do you know if Hedningarna is on tour? any idea if they are playing anywhere in the Northeast?(as opposed to godforsaken Minnesota?) :) teasing, I am jealous you get so much great Scandinavian music there...

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 02 Oct 00 - 06:41 PM

Peg, I checked NorthSide and it looks like this tours over, unfortunately. Maybe email someone at NorthSide and see if they know when they'll be back---They're very helpful there.

Hmmm... Godforsaken Minnesota? Maybe that's why these heathens keep coming back? ;)

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 04 Nov 00 - 12:20 AM

Just got back from my second Garmarna concert in two days. Both great shows, too. Last night's was at the Cedar Cultural Centre in Mpls. Tonight's was at St.Clement's Church in StPaul, and they did their Hildegard von Bingen stuff. Emma Härdelin sang beautifully, as always. Rickard Westman wasn't on this tour, and they had an English guy who's name I've already forgotten standing in for him. They're going to Chicago next, and then to Decorah, Seattle, NY, and Delaware. So if you're near any of those places, trust me and buy a ticket. Oh, who even reads this old thread besides the people who've always read it? Go to my last message and click on NorthSide, and check it out if you have no idea who Garmarna is or why I love them. :)

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Nov 00 - 02:56 PM

Hey, Lepus, I read it, even when I'm in Dublin, which I am (what a loser, you're thinking; she's in DUBLIN, what the hell is she doing in an internet cafe?! Well, you know, it's that funny two hours between dinner and when the music starts...) I'm still hoping I'll have the energy to see Garmarna in New York, even though it's the day after I get back from here. Thanks for the review, a good nudge to get me down to the city on the 8th. Bye! Margaret

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: JedMarum
Date: 04 Nov 00 - 04:39 PM

We just did a show today with Risto Jarvenpaa. Eammon (himself) played bodrhan and I ran sound. Risto had his piper Marcus with him, and the three of them did a great show at little church hall for about 150 people. I didn't understand much, but the music was great! Risto did mainly a kids show and had excellent enhthusiasm and participation.

Subject: RE: Mostly finnish music
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 05 Nov 00 - 01:08 PM

Cool, Margaret. Hope you can make it to that concert. And they'll probably play some regular Garmarna stuff for an encore, if you all clap and stomp loud enough. They came back out for us and announced that they had just played all their H von B material and had nothing left, so they played 'Vittrad,' which was great. :)

The guys I was sitting next to were also going down the the Decorah show, lucky bastards... At the Elk's Lodge, heh.

---Lepus Rex