SANNA KURKI-SUONIO: Huria
ZENCD 2115

Reviews

Pirkko Kotirinta, Helsingin Sanomat, Helsinki, November 10, 2007:
A song turns small into great

Huria by Sanna Kurki-Suonio and her trio is an album of strong songs and a strong singer. The emotional register of the voice reveals a range of nuances that is rich and approaches the listener, without a need to emphasize the skills of the singer with extreme forms of expression. On the contrary, the journey takes, at its best, inward and towards the core, deep into the story.

Among the best are the original piece Reckless (Huria) and The vagabond girl (Tyttö kulkija) whose lyrics are traditional. I woke up (Nousin) rises into hypnotic blues and would have endured a longer buildup. Bidding farewell (Eron hetki) resounds with the power of a hymn.

Riitta Huttunen’s kantele is filled with character and Jari Lappalainen’s percussions are fine-tuned and minimalist. The bass clarinet of the album’s producer, Tapani Rinne, paints Evening song (Iltalaulu) with peace.

These are humble folk songs, but the epithet ‘merely’ can be forgotten. The alliance of old and new is seamless.

Markku Makkonen, Aamulehti/Valo, Tampere, November 9, 2007:

Sanna Kurki-Suonio hits with a versatile album. Rooted into tradition, Huria stretches into many directions but keeps its style. The album, created with Riitta Huttunen, Jari Lappalainen and Tapani Rinne, rocks and rattles at times like the best of them: The vagabond girl (Tyttö kulkija) and On the road (Matkalla) are exactly the kind of songs that folk music needs to increase its audience.

Matti Komulainen, Turun sanomat/Viikkoliite, Turku, November 14, 2007:

The former Hedningarna singer Sanna Kurki-Suonio returns with aplomb on her third solo album. Huria focuses on folk tradition, especially street ballads from Kainuu, but the renditions are contemporary.

The songs, with their joys and sorrows, arise from the earth and the people. In the exotically groovy The gravedigger (Haudankaivaja), man’s hurry and hustle are set into the right dimensions, and the catchy title song rolls like autumn waves.

The soloist is accompanied by Riitta Huttunen, Jari Lappalainen and Tapani Rinne, who has also produced the album. Kantele, percussions, wind instruments, and synthesizers which subtly complement the organic sound, create an amazing soundscape with references to primitive ethnomusic as well as meditative ambient music. Minimalist accompaniment, hypnotic performances and moving lyrics unite into a magnificent whole: the songs come close and make you ponder on the relativity of time and experiences.

Translations by Heli Paulasto.