Poppari Goes Iskelmä: Finnish Jazz Songs – Ira Kaspi and Eliina Taal

Taal is a familiar face, among other things, from Anneli Saaristo’s performances, and she has also played in Tapani Kansa’s band. The programme consists of well-known Finnish songs, or songs regarded as Finnish, rearranged in new ways. The songs have taken on a fresh look, with new stories woven around them, in an elegant atmosphere where the message of the music and lyrics takes centre stage. Highlights include Carola’s “Rakkauden jälkeen,” Rauli Badding Somerjoki’s “Laivat,” Fredi’s “Kolmatta linjaa takaisin,” Reijo Taipale’s “Tähdet meren yllä,” Anita Hirvonen’s “Sydän rakastaa,” and Aikakone’s “Keltainen.” “I really like Finnish iskelmä, and it’s fun to reshape those songs in a jazz mould. It’s the most natural way for me. There are the melodies and the old-fashioned romance,” Ira Kaspi says. Audience feedback from performances: “The arrangements were incredibly multidimensional and surprising—in a positive way.” Vocals: Ira Kaspi. Piano: Eliina Taal.