Monday, July 18, 2011

Lasse liten blues - Pikku-Lassen blues

Eija Merilä recorded "Pikku-Lassen blues" (Blues for little Lasse) in 1974. Eija was primarily known as schlageer singer, but this little number demonstrate her abilities as a r&b -singer. The Finnish lyrics to this - kind of sad - story were crafted by Sauvo "Saukki" Puhtila. The original tune "Lasse liten blues" (Blues for little Lasse) was written and performed by Swedish troubadour, Dutch-born Cornelis Vreeswijk. He emigrated to Sweden with his parents in 1949 at the age of twelve, and taught himself to sing and play guitar in the fifties. His first album in 1964 was a hit and created a large following among the emerging radical student generation. Vreeswijk was a controversial figure in the 60'2 and early 70's and was disapproved by many for his rude language and persistent interest in people like prostitutes and criminals.

Here's the pair:

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