JUKKA GUSTAVSON & HOEDOWN: MOUNTAIN INFORMATION

When hearing Jukka made a solo album with roots-oriented Hoedown, I had doubts. I was glad when I was wrong. Even this is the most easylistening Gustavson solo album, it´s really enjoyable and includes many highlights.

The Title song starts the album with the strong atmosphere. The next "Easy Task" is funk song about love. Both songs reminds little bit the Band, but specially the latter is a little bit mediocre. To me album really starts with next "Love Peace Field Reel". It reminds Fairport Convention with it´s folkprog. Poijärvi plays violin in a very great way, also Jukka´s organ playing are skillful. "A Small Brook Has Grown..." coming next is the best song in this album. In it´s instrument prog it reminds Jukka´s greatest works, Poijärvi´s violin and Jukka´s keyboards make again a huge work. In this song are also very classic music sound piano parts. Other highlights of the album are "I Need You Need Love Supreme" & "Our Fathers Land". The first is beautiful, simple lovesong where Jukka and Ninni sing absolutely charming duet. The latter bring together Jukkasounding chords and Winwood influenced verses. "Our Fathers Land" is more a song against the nature´s destroying than patriotic song. "Howlin Wolf & Blind Tigers" is the only piece that not sounds Jukka at all (he´s not even singing in it). Album ends well into Traffic-influenced "The Law That Belongs to Freedom" and beatiful lovesong "My Sweet Nature Girl"

If there had leaved songs out and made this album shorter, this album would have been as excellent as Jukka´s previous album. Now it´s only very good. Anyway this could be excellent starter to someone who hasn´t heard any of Jukka`s music. Specially if the one´s not like jazz music at all.