Paula Wolski – Lato
Independent – Out Now
“Dear Folk Radio…” reads the delightful, hand-written note accompanying Lato, the new record by Paula Wolski, “…here is my newly released album of Finnish folk-bluegrass…” According to Wolski, the recordings were cut in the mountains of South-Eastern Poland, ‘lato’ meaning ‘barn’ in Finnish and ‘Summer’ in Polish. Wolski grew up on a diet of Finnish folk song and her father’s country music cassette-tapes, eventually marrying the two into a distinctive style of her own. The charming cover of Lato shows Wolski herself, posed in the doorway of, presumably, the barn in which she tells us these tracks were laid down. The album features Wolski on vocals and ukulele (an instrument which deserves to be taken more seriously than it is) plus a half-dozen backers on guitar, violin, harmonica, drums, bass and additional vocals.
Aamul’ varhain opens the set with some gentle, rolling, finger-picked strings. Wolski’s voice is clear as a bell and pleasantly rounded, a thing of delicacy and depth. With the assorted players joining in, the track sways like the sea, with darting violin lines, shuffling drums and colourful splashes of bass. It’s pastoral, with a sound that is at once intimate and expansive, conjuring visions of warm fireplaces and spreading wilderness. Tuuvittelen tuttuain lilts along at a brisker pace, propelled by subtly stirring drums and bright, bustling arpeggios on guitar/ukulele. Some wonderful harmonica-playing evokes visions of old America, blending organically with its fellows.
Everything about Lato is understated, but the album is no less effective or affecting for that. It is a record which casts an easy spell, pulling at something deep and universal in the human heart. Nevertheless this is sophisticated music, performed by top-class players. Those who too-readily dismiss folk-music as overly simple or irrelevant would do well to listen to Wolski and her band. The most erudite of musicians, from Liszt to Dylan and Robert Plant have acknowledged the essential power of traditional genres. It is a tonic to hear artists of Wolski’s calibre playing such music today.
Built around bright, undulating ukulele and Wolski’s voice, On jo myöhä is one of the most engaging tracks here, showcasing not only the versatility of that instrument in skilled hands but Wolski’s talent for composition. With nuanced changes in licks and patterns, Wolski keeps the listener spellbound. Minun silmät ja sinun silmät, in contrast, rattles along with something of a bouncing, exotic rhythm. Wolski’s vocals make for a wonderful counterpoint to sparkling, inventive acoustic guitar solos and the swaying back-beat. Idan laulu, constructed over a simple hand-clap rhythm, possess all the charm and pathos of a lovingly-remembered children’s rhyme. Warm, acoustic guitar, ukulele and subtle backing build a compelling fantasy-land of secret worlds and half-remembered Summer days.
Pimeän kehä brings an instant smile with its almost rockabilly feel, pop sensibilities and Motown girl-group harmonies. That Wolski pulls it off with aplomb is testament to the breadth of her talent. Only the hardest of hearts and the heaviest of feet could fail to be moved. On the album closer, Aijai sorja Wolski’s voice echoes into the caverns of the listener’s soul; a highly emotive and quite frankly beautiful way to end the set.
Lato is a wonderful album, diverse and stirring, bound up in joy, love and first-class musicianship.
Live Session for Hipisówka Bieszczady
Order Lato via Bandcamp: https://paulawolski.bandcamp.com/