Joose Keskitalo & Kolmas maailmanpalo
There's no question about it: Joose Keskitalo is one of the most talented songwriters in Finland today. And how blessed we are that he's not the one to hide his light under a bushel. Having released a total of five albums and a handful of singles and EPs since his debut in 2004 (the latest full-length, Tule minun luokseni, kulta, came out in March), we can assume that there are many more to come, given that his debut album already had a song called Joose Keskitalo's Song No. 117.
Joose Keskitalo's lyrics are heavily influenced by the Bible and his Christian upbringing, yet the man himself is reluctant to call himself a gospel singer. His appearance and his loyal companion Ginge – a guitar made of a herbicide sprayer – allude to a folk singer, but even that category seems too narrow when Keskitalo impels his band Kolmas maailmanpalo into frenzied pub jazz or sings an exquisite but unassuming blues piece about pontikka, the Finnish moonshine. Themes of the songs may be heavy, but Keskitalo's simple, unforced interpretation makes the overall atmosphere serene, almost cheerful. What a chance to have three quarters of quiet meditation in the middle of the bustling festival weekend.
