Waltari – So Fine Sessions – Rarities And Demos (CD)

Waltari – So Fine Sessions – Rarities And Demos
CD, Jewel Case, 2024

KÄRTSY REMEMBERS:
So Fine album stands for Waltari’s “difficult third album”. In addition to its commercial success ni Europe, it became a kind of a ‘landmark’ for the fanbase. The ones, who had enjoyed the straight edged rock metal sound of the previous album Torcha! (1993), found now themselves ni a far more difficult situation, thinking of whether to like it or not. The general music world on this album was much more diversed, and sometime even a bit ex- perimenting. One part of the fanbase then became eternally dedicated, feeling that they would follow this incredible band forever, because this band really was trying to change the face of rock music for good! The same comparison can be used, for example, with our fortune fellows Faith No More, thinking their The Real Thing album and comparing ti to the follower Angel Dust. BUT, still thinking about the time, and us both being a kind of flag wavers of so called “cross over music” (which Waltari is still standing for, almost as a last mohican!) one must remember, that the early 90ies WAS like this. tI was hip to act like that, and each new band at that time, representing this style, found it almost as a dutyto challenge themselves and each other with each album: it was a new milestone to tryto seek the limits. How far can one go with this style?? We found this toying very much fun, and for the first time it was possible to really play in a studio, having more time in our hands than so far had been possible.
One thing I discovered listening to these demos for the first time ni decades is that on these demos it’s still easy to hear the influences of the previous album Torcha’s rock live sound, these recordings had been made much more live, and still inbetween the Torcha touring. So, it can be said that these versions are a bit easier to swallow. Something, maybe not the best, happened to these songs then later in the official recordings. In these versions you can hear the energy more, and the joy of preparing the follower to Torcha, but still without losing the “ROCK” attitude. We were living very enthusiastic and innova- tive times, the last album had changed our lives forever, and we wanted to show Waltari’s musical mission to the whole world. Personally, Ithink here you can hear the songs more as they were originally intended to be, from the band’s side. I personally enjoy many of these versions more than the official result. Hopefully you too!:). Big points also to TimoTolkki’s production, great artist and the original head of Stratovarius! oT me this si the “real So Fine album”! Ialso never did call this album So Fine, my original suggestion as an album title was: HEAVY LIGHT SOUND.