The Helsinki Mandoliners
Sailin from the northern waters of the world's mando-oceans comes the Helsinki Mandoliners with a different repertoire and approach to the mandolin trio format. This group is comprised of three of Finland's top progressive folk musicians, all of whom are involved with other touring/recording bands.
Though best known today as a guitarist, Olli Varis (1st mandolin, i.e. melody) started out as a mandolin player. Fiddler Arto Järvelä (2nd mandolin - low melody & harmony parts, octave mandolin) added both big and small mandos to his arsenal of Finnish instruments. Petri Hakala (cittern - even lower melodies, mandolin) started out mainly as a mandolinist playing bluegrass and celtic before moving on to Finnish folk. They've adapted the twin fiddle arranging styles to mandolins, plus adding international elements. "Mandoliners Polska" has a bit of the Dave Apollon and "new acoustic feel". "Toinen Rastas" has a Greek sound, though it's a traditional Finn fiddle tune with a bit of bird call imitation. Add original material and you have a fresh new slant on the mandolin trio ensemble.
The ship leaves from Helsinki harbour when you push the 'play' button on your stereo! Have a nice cruise!
Produced by The Helsinki Mandoliners
Recorded by Janne Viksten
Mixed by Janne Viksten and Petri Hakala
1. Iniö brudmarsch
Comp. trad., arr. Arto Järvelä.
Petri Hakala: cittern
Arto Järvelä: octave mandolin
Olli Varis: mandolin
2. Mandoliners polska
Comp. Arto Järvelä.
Petri Hakala: mandolin
Arto Järvelä: mandolin
Olli Varis: mandolin
Tapani Varis: double bass
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3. Seijari ja Pinni
Comp. trad., arr. Arto Järvelä, Olli Varis.
Petri Hakala: cittern
Arto Järvelä: mandolin
Olli Varis: mandolin
4. Vakopäävalssi
Comp. Arto Järvelä.
Petri Hakala: mandolin
Arto Järvelä: mandolin
Olli Varis: mandolin
5. Stundars menuett & polska
Comp. Bruno Faartti, arr. Arto Järvelä.
Petri Hakala: mandolin
Arto Järvelä: octave mandolin
Olli Varis: mandolin
6. Tisvasser sotiisi
Comp. trad., arr. Arto Järvelä.
Petri Hakala: mandolin
Arto Järvelä: mandolin
Olli Varis: mandolin
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7. Polska från Larsvik
Comp. Arto Järvelä.
Petri Hakala: cittern
Arto Järvelä: octave mandolin
8. Jakomäkivalssi
Comp. Petri Hakala, Arto Järvelä, trad., Olli Varis.
Petri Hakala: cittern
Arto Järvelä: mandolin
Olli Varis: mandolin
Tapani Varis: double bass
9. Menuetti ja Tyttörinki
Comp. trad., arr. Petri Hakala, Arto Järvelä, Olli Varis.
Petri Hakala: cittern
Arto Järvelä: mandolin
Olli Varis: mandolin
10. Pelianttimarssi
Comp. Petri Hakala, Arto Järvelä, Olli Varis.
Petri Hakala: mandolin
Arto Järvelä: octave mandolin
Olli Varis: mandolin
11. Tuoltapa kuuluu lehmänkello
Comp. trad., arr. Petri Hakala, Arto Järvelä, Olli Varis.
Petri Hakala: cittern
Arto Järvelä: mandolin
Olli Varis: mandolin
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12. Toinen Rastas
Comp. trad., arr. Petri Hakala, Arto Järvelä, Olli Varis.
Petri Hakala: mandolin
Arto Järvelä: mandolin
Olli Varis: mandolin
Tapani Varis: double bass