Kingston Wall Appreciation Thread

KINGSTON WALL by Jylli & Kuoppis & Brothers Von Hertzen tour is currently under way in Finland. 

Edited by tigerfeet - March 28 2019 at 20:18

I discovered Kingston Wall a few years ago when I was looking for the following song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPhneeAma8Y

At the time, I didn't know who the artist was, so I searched YouTube for "The Real Thing" and played all the examples presented. I didn't find the song I was looking for at this time, but one of the examples was "The Real Thing" from Kingston Wall's "III – Tri-Logy" album. This song was not just a different version of the song I was looking for, but a completely different song. Nevertheless, I was quite impressed with the song and purchased the album.

 

 

They are certainly comfort music i agree. And energy in abundance.

The beauty of Kingston Wall is that from listening to their songs for the first time one may be forgiven for dismissing them as just jamming songs, or songs that are just there with no purpose or meaning. Just noise, guitar riffs, wild drums, with extra delay or reverb and perhaps for no apparent reason.

The truth is far from that and if one delves deeper into the philosophy of the songs, the feel of the songs, and the overall message of the band, Kingston Wall can be seen in a much different light.

A good example is a track from their 2^nd studio album (II) ‘Could it Be So’.

The track begins with a rolling intro which quickly moves into some sweet guitar licks followed by the main theme of the song. The guitar playing is actually quite complex as it develops throughout the song and some very clever and unique choices are made that are amazing and surprising. 

The lyrics are steeped in mythology, a higher being or purpose, and questions regarding our past or even our future, which may or may not be, our lives before or our life to come. Not that we are unfamiliar with such questions, especially these days, but for sure, an integral part of Kingston Wall’s theme and much of the ideas of lead singer/guitarist Petri Walli.

If you really listen to some of his guitar movements through many of the songs you may be lucky to float away on more than just a magic carpet. The skill and expertise he used to make his movements and guitar flow is what many try and achieve, through emulating say Hendrix or Gilmour. I guess he is somewhere in between those two guitarists in regards to his energy, interpretation and guitar skills. 

It is just what he does, and does very well, to mesmerize the listener and create space for thought and introspection, if one wishes, while at the same time the listener is still able to release spiritual and physical energy.

Petri Walli was consumed with these types of thoughts which gave direction to the band.  Each album has many great tracks which explore many varied and/or similar ideas.

What is even more remarkable is that Von Hertzen Brother’s were able to bring his spirit alive through these series of concerts in Finland in 2019, many years since Petri left us.

I do not think I have ever come across an established band, (Von Hertzen Brothers), taking a year off from their own touring and making their own music, to dedicating a year and much time and energy to another band. They are so connected to Kingston Wall and I applaud what they have done.

I am looking forward to the next couple of summer gigs, one with Richie Blackmore and Rainbow, the other so I hear is at the festival Qstock. 

Thanks for being part of this appreciation thread and I will see you the next time around.  

Something strange is down there
but we don't know where
it's been lying in peace
waiting for it's release
but that moment will come
long after we are gone
like it did long ago
before we were born

Could it be so that
we have been here before
could it be so that
this all happened before

Ol' man Jacques found that road
in the bottom of the sea
indians wrote 'bout the bombs
that you just have to see
and the huge rocks in Giza
it seemed like they moved
and the pictures in desert
I wonder who drew ...

Ancient wisemen knew things
that we can hardly dream about
built statues and temples
that can't be pulled down
now we seek for that wisdom
from too far away
wonder 'round with our eyes blind
and think we are there

Edited by tigerfeet - April 04 2019 at 20:31

Great to find this topic.  Kingston Wall were a power trio full of energy and realized some really fine albums. 

Edited by Olape - May 18 2020 at 12:03

For anyone wanting to just rock out, Kingston Wall were really quite amazing to hear live. A few years back i posted the Von Hertzen Brothers and Kingston Wall live gigs on these forums. I just found a really amazing video. Three solid songs. Kingston Walls' "Shine on Me" and "I'm Not the One" and an insane tribute to Jimmy Hendrix's "Fire". A lot of fun in these times for sure :)  Get's going after 5 mins mark :D and i would skip to 11 minutes for the Fire song, that's where it's all at! 

Edited by tigerfeet - January 24 2023 at 02:50