PEKKA STRENG

In my mind at least, the life and music of the late Pekka Streng draws inevitable parallels to that of the late Nick Drake, although admittedly there are important differences in both their personalities and musical styles.

Like Drake, Streng was a post-WWI child who passed at much too early an age; in fact, both were born and died within months of each other. Drake left behind three studio releases to Streng’s two, although there was a compilation of Streng’s unreleased material issued long after his passing. Both were very private individuals who left behind very little beyond their music; neither were public figures that toured much or gave many interviews. Each was essentially a folk singer-songwriter who favored guitar, although both were multi- instrumentalists (Drake was first a piano and clarinet player, and Streng dabbled with synthesizers and various percussive instruments). And both became something of cult figures long after their deaths, achieving influence in their respective countries on generations of young musicians who succeeded them.

Musically the two were quite different though. While Drake would emphatically favor stark acoustic arrangements throughout his short career, Streng was seemingly happy to experiment with electric guitar, brass and other accompaniment, especially on this, his final studio release. Streng seemed to have a wide group of acquaintances to call on for support of this record, while Drake relied almost exclusively on himself and whatever studio support that was effectively forced on him by his producer and mentor, the American Joe Boyd. Streng would succumb to cancer, while Drake’s tragic end was due to a self-inflicted overdose, although to this day no one seems to know for sure whether it was intentional or not.

And on that note, Streng’s music, while as delicate and introspective as Drake’s, does not project the kind of austere world-view or depression that permeated virtually everything Drake ever recorded.

The songs on this album are all quite short, sung in Finnish as far as I know (certainly not English anyway). At times Streng seems to show an interest in experimentation, sometimes with poetic spoken-word passages such as on “Auringon lapsi”; elsewhere with grand and heavy celesta such as on “Kanttorinpoika Max” and several of the early tracks on the album; and sometimes with simple acoustic picking and plaintive vocals as with “Katsele yössä” and “Mutta minä lähden”. Most of the songs are subdued but not necessarily sad; Streng seemed more interested in layering various instrumental sounds for effect than in projecting s barren world view. And at times he manages to blend his unique brand of folk with borderline pop, particularly on “...Ja Tuittu Ruusut Sai” and the almost lounge-like “Puutarhassa”.

I’m told the lyrics are quite deep and poetic, although unfortunately without knowing the language that aspect of his music will be lost on many listeners. But no matter, this is a very pleasant album to listen to even if the various song meanings are unclear. Pekka Streng will be very much an acquired taste for many, but for those interested in the bright, impassioned new generation folk singers of the early seventies this album should be considered essential. I’m tempted to give it a four star rating, but from a progressive viewpoint it doesn’t quite merit that. Three stars seems too low somehow, but that’s the most appropriate rating when Streng’s music is considered in total. Well recommended to students of progressive folk music, and particularly to those of Finnish persuasion as I suspect Pekka Streng was more than a passing influence on the folk-based artists of his homeland who came after.

peace

— First review of this album —

I have reviewed Kesämaa already and now I concentrate on the first half of this 2-in-1 disc ('Death of a Magnetic Man' means the album title, and the leaflet has a strange little prose- poem piece about the phases of the protagonist). As I have said, I prefer the more happy and jazzy Kesämaa. Relistening yesterday guaranteed me of that. It's not just that it's more easy to get into, it's also much better done, both musically and lyrically. Here things are rougher, more sketch-like, as Pekka is adventurously wandering in the strange marshlands of psychedelia. The tracks are not that short (even with 13 tracks Kesämaa clocks at 32 min. approx.); as if on this debut album the same (or maybe lesser) amount of substance is spread over a longer time. For example lyrics are used very sparingly and include a lot of fillerlines ("na-naa-na-naa-aah") and the players aren't given clear soli as on Kesämaa. That gives this album a sort of "where are we going?" feeling. But as Pekka WAS a pioneer in this field in Finland, that isn't so bad thing at all.

'Gilgames' is a peaceful acoustic opener based on the ancient narrative. That and 'A Song About an Insect That Fell Asleep in the Bed of Rose' would fit perfectly into the latter album too. And why not also the serene closer, 'Sisältäni portin löysin' (I Found a Gate Inside Me) - better known as a TASAVALLAN PRESIDENTTI number. The rest is more far-out psychedelic folk-rock stuff with peculiar lyrics, here and there even slightly disturbing. "I am different", "I am an animal" and "I am tired" are three titles' meanings. On one song he invites everybody to join him on a gigantic tongue, on another he floats on the mythical river of life and death or something like that. In all its charming aura it tends to get a bit tiring towards the end (and when my CD starts playing Kesämaa I'm much happier). But nevertheless, a definite classic in Finnish popular music.

Though Magneettimiehen kuolema seems to be more famous - due to Tasavallan Presidentti playing on it? -, both of Pekka Streng's albums are very interesting works mixing psychedelic pop and jazz rock. In that sense they are a perfect example of the innovative, fruitful period of the early 70's LOVE RECORDS; the top class jazz instrumentalists grace also this album, such as Pekka Pöyry (fl), Eero Koivistoinen (sax) and Olli Ahvenlahti (keyb). I have the cd containing both albums, but I think this one is more dear to me. Less dark and psychedelic and closer to children's music (I mean GOOD, artistic children's music!). For example 'Mimosaneito' and 'Ja Tuittu ruusut sai' (the latter based on Tove Jansson's text) could be used as lullabies, and 'Auringon lapsi' (The Children of the Sun) shows Streng's close relationship to a child's world. Overall the lyrics are beautifully naiive, romantic and mysterious. Here's a rough translation of 'Serenadi':

"You're a flight of a swallow / you're a cloud up high / you're a warm rain / You're the scent of freedom / you're the key of fairy tales / you're the bridge of dreams".

'Perhonen' (Butterfly) and 'Puutarhassa' (In the Garden) are lively jazzy songs with faster tempo. 'Kanttorinpoika Max' is lyrically the darkest, narrating of an organist's son chained to an organ in the cellar. But it's not too gloomy, not at all out of place amidst lighter and laid- back little tunes. Maybe my favourite song is 'Annabella', a slow-tempoed, romantic little tale of a nightly meeting. It has a lovely flute playing. If this all appeals to your tastes, I warmly recommend to find the cd containing both albums. Only, I don't know how marketable this is to non-Finnish listeners. It would help to print lyric translations because the music and lyrics intertwine in an unseparable way. Rest In Peace, Pekka Streng.

This is a really nice album in the small family of old Finnish psychedelic recordings. It's music is a little naive, but I guess this shouldn't bother many fans of folk music? The lyrics are in important role, so this record is then directed mostly to Finnish audience. My favorite songs here are "Gilgames" and "Sisältäni Portin Löysin" ("I Found A Gate from Within Myself"), which was adopted to the gig repertoire of TASAVALLAN PRESIDENTTI, which played as a session band on this album. Also "Olen Erilainen" ("I'm Different") is a nice orient-inspired intro for the great euphoric "Pitkä Kieli" ("Long Tongue").

I would recommend this album for those fans of psychedelic folk who can understand Finnish, or who want to add exotic items to their comprehensive album collection. Maybe also those who are seriously collecting TASAVALLAN PRESIDENTTI's records may wish to check this out! Three stars +!

This album is not a Tasavallan Presidentti-album. It should be Pekka Streng with Tasavallan Presidentti. The music could be described as psychedelic folk. Lyrics play an important role here so recommending this album to non-finnish person is a bit questonable. However this is an important album in Finnish rock-history.

Pekka Streng was a quiet, mystic person and he avoided publicity. He died very young after making two excellent albums. So he has become quite a mystic character.

The album has a very naive and fairytale-like tone. Acoustic guitars are the main instrument here, some clean electric guitars here and there played by Jukka Tolonen, bongos. Very peaceful music.

This is an important part of Finnish music but I don´t think there´s much for others here. Or I don´t know...you might as well enjoy this. I do.