PIHKASILMÄ KAARNAKORVA

I am deeply indebted to the 'reviewer-formerly-known-as-Sinkadotentree' (Mellotron Storm ! ) for pointing me in the direction of this amazing album a while back. After his review, I managed to track down a vinyl of this 'Pihkasilma Kaarnakorva'. It wasn't cheap. Up until a few of years ago I only knew of WIGWAM by name. Pekka Pohjola was the Bassist of this band, one of Finland's most famous exponents of 70's Prog-Rock. The music on this album blew me away from its opening - first thoughts of the mood of the album that occured to me were - HENRY COW, Canterbury, ZAPPA, and some R.I.O. bands (which I often find have a Canterburian twist to them) as well as a Jazzy/Fusiony attack. The compositions are very complex, involved and highly arranged. Those who focus on tremendous Bass-Guitaring really ought to check this one out. Pekka's Bass skills are equally as good as, say, Chris Squire - if not more advanced, given that it predates these amazing performers - those of Jeff Berlin, Jaco Pastorius, Percy Jones - the usual 70's suspects.... and his taste for arrangement and composition are 2nd to none. His choice of backing musicians includes his Wigwam Keyboardist cohort Jukka Gustavson, as well as some woodwind players and a drummer. Rather than ramble on about the 5 pieces on this album, I have to say that the quality doesn't dip during its short, under-34 minute offering, but mention of the absolute precious highlight goes to the 10min + 'Valittaja' (Complainer) which features an amazing bass-oriented jam where Pekka uses plenty of grungey Wah-Wah bass, alongside a blissful piano and organ dominated backing. Pekka performs a tasteful Hammond section to round off the piece. Amazing album.