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For many years now, I have reviewed and written about
some of the finest yet lesser known blues and blues rock artists
from all across the world. During this time, I have occasionally
received recordings that, after listening to them, have left me
wondering just how in the world an artist this good has escaped
national or world attention for so long. I recently heard about
an artist from Finland named Jake Voutilainen, and after several
weeks of attempting to do so, I was finally successful in
importing a copy of his CD "Determination". This
recording, my friends, is the kind of thing from which legends
are made. Hailing from Finland and educated in the US,
Voutilainen is a world class blues/rocker and
"Determination" has rapidly become one of my personal
favorite CDs. Jake is a bona fide blues/rock triple threat, in
that he is a great guitarist, talented and passionate vocalist,
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song writer. His music sounds a bit like Huey Lewis and
the News, though more blues flavored, his vocals have the passion
and guts of Joe Cocker though much more polished, and his guitar
work is from the Coco Montoya/Walter Trout/Tony Sarno school. The
CD, which was recorded in Finland, is extremely well engineered
and features Jake's stinging guitar work, accompanied by an
especially talented supporting cast. This recording is totally a
winner and receives the highest marks from me in every
conceivable category.
The CD opens with the title track, which will
absolutely scorch your jockey shorts and cause you to drive much
too fast if you are listening to it in your vehicle. The songs
that follow are all highly enjoyable and vary in tempo and
influence. There are hints of soul music in places, hard rock in
others, and Memphis style R&B elsewhere. There are plenty of
horns and church like organ, which also add much to the overall
sound. But at the very heart of every track is the talented pen,
voice, and axe of Jake Voutilainen. He may be little known to you
at the writing of this review, but rest assured, he will not
remain so for long.
My favorite tracks here are
"Determination", the Otis Redding like ballad
"I'm Without You", the hard driving "Free
Ride", and Memphis flavored blues/rock tune "Life's
Full of Surprises". Each of the 11 songs are Jake
Voutilainen originals and quite good indeed.
The only negative thing I can say about this
exceptional CD from Jake Voutilainen is that it is nigh on
impossible to purchase, though you may want to try your luck at
www.gemm.com . There is an DAM version and downloads available at
www.mp3.com/jakev , should you be unable to locate one of the
originals. I have received email from Jake who informs me that he
is currently writing and recording material for a new CD to be
released in 2002, so hopefully new music from him will be more
readily available. Let us hope so, for this is music that most
any blues/rock will want to own.
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