Search - Varttina, Sari Kaasinen, Mari Kasinen :: Can We Have Christmas Now

Varttina, Sari Kaasinen, Mari Kasinen
Can We Have Christmas Now
Genres: Alternative Rock, Folk, International Music, Special Interest, Pop, Classical

Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
1. Joko Jouloun Alkaa Saa (Can We Have Christmas Now?) - V?rttin?, Kaasinen, Sari
2. Me Kaymme Jouloun Viettohon ('Tis Time to Celebrate) - V?rttin?, Isola, Mauno
3. Varpunen Jouluaamuna (The Sparrow's Christmas Morning) - V?rttin?, Kotilainen, O.
4. Joulukirkkoon (Going to Chruch on Christmas Morning) - V?rttin?, Hellen, I.
5. Jouluaattona (Christmas Eve) - V?rttin?, Nissinen, A.
6. Heinilla Harkien Kaukalon (There in the Manger) - V?rttin?, Korpilahti, Martti
7. Joululaulu (A Song for Christmas) - V?rttin?, Holm, Paul
8. Joulun Odotuksessa (Waiting for Christmas) - V?rttin?, Korpilahti, Martti
9. Jouluna Jumala Syntyi (God Was Born at Christmas) - V?rttin?, Kaasinen, Sari
10. Joulun Taikaa (The Magic of Christmas) - V?rttin?, Jauhiainen, J.
11. Jouluy?, Juhlay? (Silent Night, Holy Night) - V?rttin?, Gruber, Franz

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CD Details

All Artists: Varttina, Sari Kaasinen, Mari Kasinen
Title: Can We Have Christmas Now
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Northside Records
Release Date: 9/15/1998
Genres: Alternative Rock, Folk, International Music, Special Interest, Pop, Classical
Styles: Indie & Lo-Fi, American Alternative, Europe, Scandinavia, Holiday & Wedding, Opera & Classical Vocal
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 021561601925

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Christmas brings out the child that lives in every heart. Trees dressed with rainbows of colored lights, carolers tramping through the snow, and Midnight church services all take on magical meaning. It's no different in Finland, and Sari and Mari Kaasinen, Värttinä's front women, share some of their favorite carols on this charming disc. Although these Christmas songs are all well- known in Finland, "Joulukirkkoon," a song about taking a sleigh ride to church, and "Silent Night," a kantele (traditional Finnish pick- and finger-played stringed instrument) solo that sounds like angels dancing on a harpsichord, are the only obvious holiday songs to non-Finnish ears. It seems doubtful that this album will become a Christmas favorite with non-Finns, but since this isn't a Värttinä release, Sari and Mari are free to be as folky and as Finnish as they want to be; hearing their wonderful harmonies without any pop window dressing is a real treat. --j. poet

CD Reviews

Warm, folksy holiday music from Finland

Brianna Neal | USA | 12/31/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sisters Sari and Mari Kaasinen, lead singers in the group Varttina, offer here a more intimate album of Finnish Christmas music. Their arrangements for voice, piano, accordion, guitar, bass, violin, mandolin, harmonium and kantele retain Varttina's fresh, contemporary approach to harmony and structure, but abandon that group's high-energy performances in favor of a mellower sound. The sisters' voices, while still clear and straightforward in traditional Finnish folk style, lack the harsh dissonance of some of their later work and take on instead a warm, approachable tone. This simple, light-hearted album is a nice complement to the Kaasinens' work with Varttina and an enjoyable alternative to the Germanic and English music so often heard during the Christmas season."

Gorgeous Holiday Fare from Finland

M. Hartman | East Coast, Etats-Unis | 12/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Kaasinen sisters are best known for their work with Varttina, but this is a side project and is not actually a Varttina release. It is quieter and more intimate than Vartinna and has a subdued beauty. The arrangements are sparse and feature mostly fiddle and accordion. Their version of Stille Nacht on the Kantele is nothing short of heavenly. This is a consistent favourite of mine throughout the winter. This is a treasure."