Jorma Kääriainen and Agents is ... HERE!

The slender one has always had a few soft spots on an otherwise musically fine-tuned frame. One weakness is for that particular brand of Finnish music, which is a unique blend of tango, blues and runic influences that is unrivalled. Jartse Tuominen, whose ecxellent Black and Blue CD (out of Texas) we reviewed here in the recent past is a shining example of that category.
Jorma Kääriainen and Agents, being slightly older than Tuominen, have had even more time to polish this musical approach. Their emphasis is not so much on the blues,

Their latest CD covers the inimitable Pee Wee King, John Mayall, and - don’t laugh, this works, it really does, Paul Anka’s “It doesn’t matter anymore”. The old hoary “Autumn leaves” (kuollet lehdet), covered by too many, maybe does not work on the same level- but it’s a toetapper nevertheless. Not quite like Johnny Mercer, but that standard was set very high. One supposes that Autumn leaves was recorded for a generation that considers it a classic. A minor quibble on an otherwise top-notch platter.

What is really enjoyable on this disc is the finlandization of tried and true tunes. The tunes are familiar, knowledge of Finnish is not necessary. The fine mixing and recording work of Esa Pulliainen - who is also a member of the band, also regarded as the best guitarslinger in Finland, must be pointed out. Mika Jussila’s mastering is seamless. Availability of the new disc is at present best investigated through the group’s label (Parlophone) or on the web site indicated on the cover - www.emi.fi.

As always, best for last - Polar Sound is presenting in collaboration with the venerable Black Swan, (154 Danforth Ave) Finland’s favourites on Friday, November 9th. Opening act is the Broadview Boys, known in the E house by their first names Enno and Vaado. Polar Sound assures us that language will not be a barrier; Kääriainen and Agents will be performing in English. A gig not to be missed. And the fine disc Agents is Here deserves a listen, should the slender one get the skinny on Canadian distribution, it will be passed on.
OTEPÄÄ SLIM

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