Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Wigwam
Label: Love Records
Released: 1971
Running time: 65:05
Rating: 4.5/5
Wigwam are still the best-known and most respected representatives of Finland’s extremely obscure progressive rock scene. In the first half of the seventies they cut a handful of seriously interesting albums that can stand shoulder to shoulder, quality-wise, with the output of some of the better-known British prog bands. The band formed in 1968 on the initiative of drummer Ronnie Ӧsterberg, who was soon joined by keyboardist Jukka ‘Gutsi’ Gustavson and British singer Jim Pembroke, who also handled the lyrics, since Wigwam wrote exclusively in English.
Pembroke’s funk-leaning vocals had enough distinctive charisma, range and emotional depth that plenty of far more established bands wouldn’t have turned him down. His singing was frankly fascinating for the obscure Scandinavian prog scene of the seventies, while Gustavson nicely took care of the backing vocals. Wigwam operated as a trio for a short while, as bassist Mats Hulden joined them even before they started recording their debut »Hard ‘n’ Horny« (1969), which didn’t yet reflect their recognizable style.
Outside Finland, Wigwam first really made people sit up with their second album »Tombstone Valentine« (1970), produced by American Kim Fowley, on which they were joined by cult bassist/violinist/composer Pekka Pohjola. That completed the classic Wigwam lineup, which lasted all the way until 1974. Every member of Wigwam was an outstanding musician, and they deftly mixed elements of symphonic prog rock, jazz fusion and (occasionally) pop rock into their eclectic sonic collage. Gustavson was the master craftsman of symphonic rock gems, Pembroke leaned toward writing more compact pieces with a pop aftertaste, while Pohjola loved composing complex, jazz-fusion instrumentals with a wealth of improvisation, especially on his bass guitar and violin.
Of their classic progressive rock achievements, the one that stands tallest is the third studio album, »Fairyport«, originally released as a double LP and comparable in quality to the masterpieces of some far better-known prog bands of the seventies. Just how good Wigwam were in their early years is already clear from the opening track, »Losing Hold«, which boasts an incredibly warm, almost velvety sound of constantly churning Hammond organs. The organ passages blend harmoniously with ruffled guitar lines and form the ‘skeleton’ of an instrumentally seasoned opening stretch, while intricate, cunning time changes are business as usual on the rest of the »Fairyport« compositions too. It all gets spiced up by mighty vocal harmonies that land in exactly the right places, between witty organ improvisations.
»Lost With Out A Trace« is a melancholic ballad with delicate, pastoral arrangements and a deeply emotional vocal performance from Pembroke. The title track is a superb mini EP packed with sophisticated symphonic prog and jazz rock fusion elements and an abundance of unusually refined improvisation, while rustic-tinged harmonies between violin and organ conjure up a thoroughly nostalgic atmosphere. On »Gray Traitors«, ruled by dramatic vocal harmonies, cunning baroque arrangements and jazz-flavored piano variations, Wigwam occasionally sound a bit like Traffic, partly ‘thanks’ to Pembroke’s timbre, which now and then faintly recalls Steve Winwood.
»Caffkaff, The Country Psychologist« features burlesque-seasoned arrangements and Pembroke’s sarcastic vocal theatrics, which are almost on the level of Peter Gabriel (Genesis). The pairing of British black humor and dark symphonic shades, so typical of the Scandinavian prog scene, is then laced with sprawling jazz-fusion improvisations full of constant rhythmic shifts. »May Your Will Be Done Dear Lord« is built on a rustic violin arrangement directed by master Pohjola, while Gustavson keeps himself busy with playful piano and organ variations. Pembroke, midway between half-burlesque and half-melodramatic singing, once again delivers some rather sarcastic lyrics.
»How To Make It Big In Hospital« is a witty funk rocker with a light pop stamp and super dynamic organ and electric guitar seasoning. »Hot Mice« is a symphony-spiced instrumental with sweeping orchestral improvisations and complex rhythmic nuances, where an unmistakably Scandinavian atmosphere reigns. »P.K:S Supermarket« is an avant-garde, jazz-fusion-minded instrumental boasting unusual but wildly entertaining time signatures, cheeky use of percussion and witty arrangements. Pohjola’s enthusiasm for the jazz-fusion works of the legendary Frank Zappa comes through loud and clear here. »One More Try« wins you over with its dark character, courtesy of pompous symphonic arrangements and Pembroke’s enigmatic vocal performance, before an unexpected leap into a complex instrumental section follows, with maddened organ and drum improvisations.
»Rockin’ Ol’ Galway« is a jokey pop rocker with a folk aftertaste, impish piano arrangements, rowdy vocal harmonies, mischievous harmonica and swaying rhythms. It’s not hard to picture some half-deaf old codger who’s just stumbled out of the village dive, wheezily counting his hens and lighting up his tobacco herb in his pipe as he settles back into his old rocking chair. »Every Fold« opens as a lovely ballad with melodic organ arrangements, where Pembroke’s deep vocal contribution is the real highlight, but Wigwam wouldn’t be Wigwam if they didn’t complicate things a little as it goes on. »Rave-Up For The Roadies« is a jam of more than seventeen minutes, recorded ‘live’, meaning during some concert performance, so its sound quality is considerably worse than the other pieces on »Fairyport (on the level of an obscure, poorly cleaned-up bootleg). That’s mostly why it feels a bit superfluous, and it’s really the only minus of this excellent album.
»Fairyport« is still a classic of the parallel worlds of jazz rock fusion and symphonic prog today and the most ambitious achievement in Wigwam’s entire discography. It’s a real shame that after their next two studio efforts, »Being« (1974) and »Nuclear Nightclub« (1975), both still worth the attention of fans of quality prog, the band gradually ran out of steam amid a slow sonic commercialization. They had lovely potential to break into the elite of the most exciting prog bands of the seventies. Even so, »Fairyport« remains one of the crown jewels of the Finnish rock scene to this day.
Lineup
Jim Pembroke – lead vocals, harmonica, piano (2-12)
Jukka Gustavson – vocals, acoustic and electric piano, organ
Ronnie Österberg – drums, congas, percussion, backing vocals
Pekka Pohjola – bass guitar, violin, backing vocals (3), acoustic guitar (8), keyboards (8-9)
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Unto Haapa-aho – bass clarinet
Eero Koivistoinen – soprano saxophone
Tapio Louhensalo – bassoon
Risto Pensola – clarinet
Pekka Pöyry – soprano saxophone
Hannu Sexelin – clarinet
Jukka Tolonen – guitar (2-7-13)
Ilmari Varila – oboe
Production
Wigwam
Track list
1. Losing Hold (7:06)
2. Lost Without A Trace (2:29)
3. Fairyport (6:53)
4. Gray Traitors (2:48)
5. Caffkaff, The Country Psychologist (5:22)
6. May Your Will Be Done Dear Lord (5:28)
7. How To Make It Big In Hospital (3:01)
8. Hot Mice (3:19)
9. P.K:S Supermarket (2:20)
10. One More Try (3:26)
11. Rockin’ Ol’ Galway (2:27)
12. Every Fold (3:07)
13. Rave-Up For The Roadies (17:20)
