01	Katariina			comp&lyrics S.Kaasinen arr J. Lappalainen, P.Lehti, R.Potinoja, K.Reiman, A.Varilo			02:14
	02	Tumala			comp. S.Kaasinen lyrics S. & M.Kaasinen/trad.			03:27
	03	Maamo (Mother)			comp&lyrics S.Kaasinen arr J. Lappalainen, P.Lehti, R.Potinoja, K.Reiman, A.Varilo			03:59
	04	Niin Mie Mieltynen (The Beloved)			comp. P.Lehti lyrics S.Reiman/trad. arr. S.Kaasinen, J.Lappalainen, P.Lehti, A.Varilo			04:01
	05	Mie Tahon Tanssia (I Want to Dance)			comp. J.Lappalainen lyrics S.Kaasinen			03:06
	06	Tammi (The Oak)			comp. K.Reiman lyrics S.Reiman arr. S.Kaasinen, J.Lappalainen, P.Lehti, A.Varilo			03:59
	07	Pirsta (Silver)			comp. A.Varilo arr. J.Lappalainen, P.Lehti, K.Reiman			02:33
	08	Outona Omilla Mailla (A Stranger in My Own Land)			comp. K.Reiman lyrics S.Reiman arr. S.Kaasinen, J.Lappalainen, P.Lehti, R.Potinoja, K.Reiman, A.Varilo			03:27
	09	Travuska			comp. S.Kaasinen/trad. lyrics S.Kaasinen, S.Reiman /trad. arr. S.Kaasinen, J.Lappalainen, P.Lehti, R.Potinoja, K.Reiman, A.Varilo			04:53
	10	Yotulet (The Night Fire)			comp.&lyrics S.Kaasinen arr. J.Lappalainen, P.Lehti, K.Reiman, A.Varilo			03:04
	11	Kannunkaataja (The Tippler)			comp. R.Potinoja lyrics R.Potinoja/trad. arr. S.Kaasinen, J.Lappalainen, P.Lehti, R.Potinoja, K.Reiman, A.Varilo			04:08
	12	Aitara			comp. S.Kaasinen / trad lyrics S.Kaasinen arr. S.&M.Kaasinen			02:49

Aitara by Varttina


In 1994, Varttina recorded this, their fifth album, featuring mostly original compositions and a drummer. Upon its first American release in 1995, the album spent five weeks at #1 on the CMJ World Music charts.

Aitara was also voted "Best Contemporary World Music Album" by NAIRD (the National Association of Independent Record Distributors).

For original Finnish lyrics and translations, visit the band's official website: http://www.varttina.com/recordings/aitara/lyrics/.



"A musical revelation. Their sound is powerful, exciting, moving - and astonishingly beautiful." - Tony Montague, The Georgia Straight


"...these songs burst with the energy and high expectations of women who accept no limitations." - Geoffrey Himes, amazon.com


"You have to be half-dead...not to get caught up in the delirious spirit put forth by [Varttina]....strong instrumental resources that suggest a merger of Celtic and Slavic sensibilities...but the real story lies in the rugged mesh and robust texture of four female voices..." - JazzTimes (1995)




1 Katariina 2:14
2 Tumala 3:28
3 Maamo (Mother) 3:59
4 Niin mie mieltynen (The Beloved) 4:02
5 Mie tahon tanssia (I Want to Dance) 3:05
6 Tammi (The Oak) 4:04
7 Pirsta (Silver) 2:33
8 Outona omilla mailla (A Stranger In My Own Land) 3:27
9 Travuska 4:52
10 Yotulet (The Night Fire) 3:04
11 Kannunkaataja (The Tippler) 3:59
12 Aitara 2:49



For composition and arrangement info see individual songs.

Varttina are:
Mari Kaasinen - vocals
Sari Kaasinen - vocals
Kirsi Kahkonen - vocals
Sirpa Reiman - vocals
Janne Lappalainen - bouzouki, reeds, whistles
Pekka Lehti - string bass, hammond organ
Riitta Potinoja - 5-row accordion, hammond organ
Kari Reiman - violin, kantele, cimbalom
Antto Varilo - guitars, cumbus tanbur
Anssi Nykanen - Aitara-drums

Recorded at Finnvox-studios September 1994
by Risto Hemmi
Mixed by Risto Hemmi and Janne Haavisto
Mastered by Pauli Saastamoinen
Produced by Janne Haavisto
Cover art and layout by Jani
Photographs by Jouko Lehtola
Translations by Susan Sinisalo

Copyright 1994 Varttina / 2000 East Side, Inc.
First published in Finland 1994



Varttina,
Aitara
(Green Linnet/Xenophile, 1995)

Remember how I raved about the album Seleniko by Varttina? Sometimes, it's good to stop while you're ahead.

The Finnish band's 1995 release, Aitara, falls somewhat short of my high expectations. The first track, "Katariina," actually had me checking my stereo for technical failures; I thought it was somehow playing the tune at double speed. The female singers' voices were already high and fast, but now they sounded like wired Finnish chipmunks. ("Alvin!")

Reading the translated lyrics in the liner notes didn't add to my appreciation. I thought Madonna put out some inane songs, but this one is built entirely on a village's suspicions about a girl wandering around without a belt. Of its 44 lines, 16 are simply "What's up with the girl?" Well, what's up with this song? The title track starts out good, but devolves into an annoying chant I really could do without.

Mari Kaasinen, Sari Kassinen, Kirsi Kahkonen and Sirpa Reiman still lead the band with their high-level vocal harmonies, but the lusty enthusiasm which excited me about their previous album seemed dampened in this later effort. Behind them are band veterans Janne Lappalainen on bouzouki, reeds and whistles, Riitta Potinoja on accordion and organ, and Kari Reiman on fiddle, kantele and cimbalom, plus new additions Pekka Lehti on string bass and organ, Antto Varilo on guitars and cumbus tanbur, and Anssi Nykanen on Aitara-drums.

There are some very good songs here, don't get me wrong. "Mie Tahon Tanssia" ("I Want to Dance") is a very lively song with some excellent instrumental flairs. "Tammi" ("The Oak") has the feel of a fun, syncopated waltz. "Tumala" mixes the singers' trademark cheerleaderish style with a Kenny G-like jazz background. (Hey, if someone described a song like that to me, I'd go out of my way to avoid it, but this isn't bad. Honest!)

The instrumental "Pirsta" has a lovely Eastern European sound. The song "Outona omilla mailla" has an evocative trudging tone which goes well with the theme of a boy who has wandered far from home, but its liveliness speaks of his cheerful playing as he goes. "Travuska" is the sombre-sounding tale of a young woman leaving home for an unwanted marriage.

OK, there are certainly tracks worth having. And, for the most part, the vocal harmonies of the band are still a pleasure to hear. It's not a bad album at all. But all in all, Aitara doesn't have the instant lure that drew me into its predecessor. Do yourself a favor: Buy Seleniko first. If you really like it, give Aitara a try. It's worth owning, but I wouldn't hurry.

[ by Tom Knapp ]

http://www.rambles.net/tom_knapp.html