In the first Desert Island Crim of 2008 we find that King Crimson aficionados lurk in the most unexpected of musical locations. Though he’s well known on the folk circuit in Ireland and Helsinki in his native Finland, flautist and tin whistle player Samuli Karjalainen would be the first to accept that he’s not exactly a household name.
I first stumbled across Samuli via his Myspace page and was immediately captivated by a haunting tune (Tuletko) and then intrigued by
his citing the music of Robert Fripp and King Crimson as an influence.
Traditional folk tunes, especially those played on a tin whistle and a harmonium, don’t seem to be a natural fit with Crimson’s brand of sonic assault but Samuli in common with many musicians has an eclectic taste that doesn’t recognise such paltry generic boundaries.
Having teamed up with multi-instrumentalist Eero Grundström (who studies at the Sibelius Academy as well as working in theatre rock and jazz), the pair produced Crosscountry 50 KM - an album that mixes traditional folk melodies with occasional and subtle electronics to great effect.
The album was one of my most played albums of 2007 (read my
review on the blog) and will resonate with anyone who appreciates the simple
beauty of a melody well played.
If you’d like to win a copy of their album all
you need to do is send an email to competitions@dgmlive.com
with Samuli in the title and your postal address in the message. The winner
will be announced on Saturday 19th January. If your name isn't picked out of the hat then you can always buy the album here. You won't be disappointed.
I contacted Samuli to see if he was interested in sharing
with DGMLive those King Crimson and Robert Fripp tracks that particularly resonate with him.
Like most of us, making such a choice is hard work and liable to change on a
weekly basis but Samuli gave it a shot. “It was hard too difficult to judge;
they have made so many good and very different albums. I have so much to say,
but it's very hard to translate - so excuse my poor English.”
Red
So much could be said about this album. It's a masterpiece.
All is good, perfect playing, and their most complete album.
"Starless" is amazing epic and Fallen Angel is one of my favourite
King Crimson-songs . Red is kind of back
to basics album. The trio is so tight together; their sound is heavy and the mood
is kind of stormy.
In The Court of the Crimson King
Classic - the first album. I think everything has been said
about this one. The first track "21st Century schizoid man" is a mind
blowing song. "Epitaph" is so powerful and holistically touching, the
best King Crimson ballad.
The Power To Believe
Stunning album, very much like Red; powerful, everything works well. It’s a great combination of
aggression and beautiful apocalyptical soundscapes. Pat Mastelotto plays a big
role here.
Lark's Tongues In Aspic
Again the first track "Larks' tongues in aspic part
one" is amazing. Start with long rolling percussion intro and then Fripp
and King Crimson in full aggression.
The Night Watch
This is another great live album. Wetton, Bruford, Fripp and
Cross are in good form. Lot of improvisations which I always like in music.
"Exiles" is played with great intensity. Most of the songs are
heavier than original recordings.
Earthbound
One of my favourite live albums made in 70's. Yes, some
people can't listen it because of the poor sound, but I kind of like it. The
band has amazing energy on their playing. The opening track "21st Century Schizoid
Man" blew my mind away when I heard it for the first time. What energy
they have there! The tempo is so slow and it grooves so well. This is what live
music is all about!
No Pussyfooting
The classic ambient album!
I think this was the first album that we were intruduced Eno's analog
tape loop device. And kind of a first move towards Frippertronics. Where it all
started.
The Equatorial Stars
This album I have been listening a lot lately. It seems to
become very special Fripp & Eno album to me. With it's unique ambience it
keeps you in a mood that it really maintains to the very end. The delicate
beauty of opening track "Meissa" introduces a different world what we
are used to. Fripp creates beautiful single notes and slides over Eno's unique loops.
Evening Star
Absolutely beautiful! This album was miles and miles
ahead of it's time with really hypnotic loops. The title track is one of my
favourite Fripp & Eno tracks. Fripp's flowing feedback guitar work is so beautiful.
A Blessing Of Tears
A moving album with great moments of spiritual
beauty!!!
Exposure
a classic where Prog meets Punk
