Liisa Tavi - 4 albums

Liisa Tavi (1956-) is one of Finland's foremost singers, which means that she's recorded quite a few albums of high standard material picked from other artists, or specifically written for her by cunning lyricists.



Tavi drifted into music business through political singing group Agit Prop, who were one of the leading names in the left-wing movement that flourished in Finland in the 1970's. Agit Prop recorded two LP's for Love Records, "Agit Propin kvartetti laulaa työväenlauluja" (Agit Prop Quartet Sings Workers' Songs) (1972) and "Laulu kaikille" (Song For Everyone) (1974), and appeared on several compilation albums. Tavi joined the group in 1976, replacing Sinikka Sokka. She's since moved away from any political movements, this was just a phase for her.



Tavi slowly started feeling that singing alone and trying her own luck might be a good idea. Prominent punk rocker Pelle Miljoona aka Petri Tiili gave her permission to record some of his lyrics. The pro-child rights song "Lasta ei saa tukuttaa", originally published in Pelle's book "Pelkistettyä todellisutta", became a breakthrough hit in 1979. Thanks to this goes to the popular TV program "Levyraati" (Finnish version of "Jukebox Jury"), which it won. Tavi cut her first own LP the same year, and it sold rather well despite being criticized for its heaviness. Personally I find the record very relaxing and pleasant, so it's a matter of taste, I guess.



Being an ordinary country girl from Joensuu, she was quite baffled at first by the music business and environment in Helsinki, and especially her overnight success. Apparently her second album "Sankareiden illat" (Evening of Heroes) (1980) only received stray mentions in a few weekly magazines, so it must have been just another hype-and-then-forget case typical of the sly massmedia. The opener "Äiti, mun on paha olla" is another song by Pelle Miljoona. A long and powerful song about war, loneliness and a generally cold and intolerant world.



In 1980 Tavi also tried for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Nopea talven valo", written by her husband, guitarist, keyboardist and arranger Pekka Tegelman. Odd choice, because the song leaves no traces in your mind.



The third album "Palavat ikkunat" (Burning Windows) (1981) yielded another massive hit with "Jäähyväiset aseille" (Farewell to Arms), originally by punk band Kollaa Kestää. Punk rockers found it hard to swallow this sensitive version by just some female singer, but despite some protesting voices, the song became a staple in Tavi's career and sort of a trademark song for her.



The fourth album "Naamiot" (Masks) (1984) marked a change in direction. It was more pop-oriented and slightly darker in tone. The tone is set by the first song "Rakennus", about the suicide of a construction site worker. The best-known song here is the excellent Kari Peitsamo cover "Kuu".



Tavi's marriage with Pekka Tegelman ended in 1989. The loss of an important musical co-worker and driving force left her in a temporary loss of direction. She found the spark for music again in 1994 with the album "Ihmeiden aika" (Time of Miracles), which was selected as one of the best records of the year by newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.



Tavi's latest release is "Vaeltava sydän" (2002), a bossanova-influenced record with Brazilian songs containing new Finnish lyrics (as opposed to some inferior ones sung on Finnish records in the 60's) preserving the messages of the original songwriters.



Liisa Tavi (1979):



1. Lasta ei saa tukuttaa (Chilren Must Not Be Lumped Together)

2. Arvaa kenet Pariisissa näin (Guess Whom I Saw in Paris)

3. Syksy on muutakin (The Autumn Means Other Things Too)

4. Häädetty (Evicted)

5. En tiedä rakastettuni hautaa (I Don't Know My Loved One's Grave)

6. Elämälle kiitos (Thanks to Life)

7. Näkemiin oikein paljon (Goodbye So Much)

8. Seison torilla (I'm Standing on the Marketplace)

9. Kaupungin aamu (City Morning)

10. Kun palaan nuoruuteeni (When I Return to My Youth)

11. On oltava meri / Jäähyväiset merelle (There Has to Be a Sea / Farewell to the Sea)



Sankareiden illat (1980):



1. Äiti mun on paha olla (Mom, I'm Not Feeling Well)

2. Uuteen aamuun taas (Into a New Morning Again)

3. Lukevan työläisen kysymyksiä (Questions of a Reading Worker)

4. Kiharainen (Curly)

5. Sankareiden illat (The Evenings of Heroes)

6. Malja (Cup)

7. Osaat sanas muotoilla (You Know How to Pick Your Words)

8. Suzanne

9. Ylhäällä vuoristossa (Up in the Mountains)

10. Mustat kyyneleet (Black Tears)

11. Nopea talven valo (A Quick Winter Light)



Palavat ikkunat (1981):



1. Jäähyväiset aseille (Farewell to Arms)

2. Anna kätes (Give Your Hand)

3. 17.4. -80

4. Suuri hiljaisuus (Great Silence)

5. Palavat ikkunat (Burning Windows)

6. Keskellä aurinkoa (In the Middle of the Sun)

7. Voit vielä etsiä (You Can Still Search)

8. Kuinka paljon ihminen tarvitsee maata (How Much Man Needs the Land)

9. Onnen varjokuvat (Shadow Figures of Happiness)

10. Pieni laulu ihmisestä (Small Song About Man)



Naamiot (1984):



1. Rakennus (Building)

2. Syksyisemmät päivät (The More Autumnlike Days)

3. Klovni Moonin laulu (Song of Moon the Clown)

4. Tuhoon tuomittu rakkaus (Doomed Love)

5. Hyytävät yöt (Freezing Nights)

6. Kuu (Moon)

7. Naamiot (Masks)

8. Outoa valvetta (Strange Awakeness)

9. Kehtolaulu tuulessa (Lullaby in the Wind)



Bonus track:



10. Niin kauan kuin hymyilen (As Long As I Smile)

(B-side of the single "Kuu")I apologize for the poor shape of "Naamiot". It (and "Sankareiden illat") was a former library copy sold for 2 Euros.



"Palavat ikkunat" ripped by Jack.