Mielo

It's hard to get beyond the first track ‘Erämorsian’ (Wildwood Bride). I play it again and again, caught up in its aching melody, enchanted by the most exquisite accordion playing. Maria Kalaniemi is known as the ‘Queen of Finnish Accordion’ but there's something angelic about Mielo too. Kalaniemi enlightens us: ‘Mielo is for me the powerful, empowering and multifaceted musical story of growing my own inner wings’.

Kalaniemi has influenced countless musicians, in Finland and across the world, with her phrasing and breathing, her attention to detail, her sound, collaborations and compositions. There's an urgency to this, which she says ‘screamed and demanded to be played, sung and shared.’ Mielo (Mind) is a walk in the woods, nature representing life. Kalaniemi is joined by harmonium player Grundström, member of the brilliant harmonica group Sväng; his contributions here add a depth, a grounding to an album of immense beauty. Nor is it without wit and mischief, melancholy and lament, a wisp of tango, an ancient folk song; the intimate ‘Lohtulaulu’ (Song of Solace), the birds of ‘Metsähanhet’ (Woodland Geese) honk away in nature's music, until finally we disappear into the enigmatic ‘Pilvet’ (Clouds). Precious time spent with two outstanding musicians.