Kalevala Orchestra – Abraham’s Blue Refrain (1977/Svart Records, 2022)
Kalevala Orchestra, formerly known as Kalevala, released their third album “Abraham’s Blue Refrain” in 1977. Recently, Svart Records reissued the album on vinyl in 2022.
“Abraham’s Blue Refrain” was produced by Tommi Liuhala and the band, with lyrics by Jim Pembroke of Wigwam, who also played piano on the title track. The album has a dark and somber tone, with a spiritual weight and lyrics sung in English, which was uncommon for Finnish bands at the time.
Although the album is considered by some to be a progressive rock work, it is actually a mix of hard rock, blues rock and psychedelic music. Only one track, the closing piece titled Panamanian Red, is where you’ll find actual progressive rock with fusion elements.
According to guitarist Lido Salonen, the album’s title track “actually describes my relationship to spirituality, and the song “Silver Fish” is also a self-portrait; I’m a Pisces in the horoscope and I made this song to describe myself.”
Musicians: Ari Vaahtera on bass; Beaver Aitto-oja on drums; Lido Salonen on guitar; Marianne Nyman on backing vocals; Raimo Karima on keyboards and backing vocals; and Jim Pembroke on backing vocals and piano.