FRESH GARBAGE - RARITIES 1969-1977

This week I've been diving deep into the early WIGWAM (because of my book project on Finnish prog). I'm not transforming here any sections from my script, but I thought to give a little more detailed collaborator review on this 2-CD rarity compilation. It was compiled in 2000 by two Wigwam specialists; the other of them released six years later a comprehensive, 500-page book on Wigwam (in Finnish naturally). Here the liner notes are in English.

DISC ONE (1969-1973). Pembroke-penned 'Must Be the Devil' / 'Greasy Kid's Stuff' was the debut single preceding the arrival of Jukka Gustavson. The style is still close to BLUES SECTION [the legendary proto-prog band that gave birth to both Wigwam and Tasavallan Presidentti], and the B-sider is irritatingly merry psych-pop rally about blowing bubbles. 'Luulosairas' was the A-side of the second single, an early classic of Finnish-language rock, written by and dominated by the organ and vocals of Jukka Gustavson. His admiration for Steve Winwood (of Spencer Davis Group and Traffic fame) has never been as strongly present as on this song.

'Pedagogi' (1970) is a more developed Gustavson tune that later found its way in a completely different form into the marvelous Being album (1974). The B-sider 'Häätö' composed by bassist Mats Huldén is the proggiest individual song by Wigwam up to that point, combining Kalevala-like poetry reading of the Love Records leader Otto Donner and two different song parts sung - in two languages - by Gustavson and Pembroke respectively. These songs were the last ones in Finnish that Wigwam ever recorded.

Then follows some previously unreleased and sonically rather gritty live material, mostly covers (from e.g. The Band) but also from Wigwam's own output. 'Nipistys' originated from PEKKA POHJOLA's solo debut.

DISC TWO (1974-1977) covers the "deep pop" period led by Jim Pembroke, with the new guitarist Rekku Rechardt also composing. Clearly less interesting than the first disc, the big majority is live cuts; more boring compositions but at least a better sound quality. I agree with Eetu that the highlight is the 18-minute 'No New Games/Grass for Blades'. The only studio tracks are 'Tramdriver' and 'Wardance' from a single released in 1975. They are not on the level of the hit album Nuclear Nightclub that had preceded the single.

This is strongly recommended for the most dedicated fans, but for the others I advice to concentrate on the studio albums (with or without the so called deep pop era).