Q&A with Finnish bluesman Micke Bjorklof (& Blue Strip) – one of the most popular roots & blues acts in Scandinavia
”Blues music connects and brings people together on many levels all around the world. Learning about the history of the music you also learn about the culture. You should never underestimate the power of music.”
”we have had the great fortune to hear many of the world’s best players. Add to those numbers the extremely-talented Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip with “Ain’t Bad Yet!”
Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip have been tearin’ up the blues in Finland for over twenty years. They started out as an acoustic cover band, and, after a few personnel changes, turned into their current lineup, and began to write their own material and work on their now-legendary live shows. Their latest album, and sixth overall, is entitled “Ain’t Bad Yet,” and combines elements of Delta blues, rockabilly, and good ole straight-up combo blues.
At the helm is singer and harp blaster Micke Bjorklof, with Lefty Leppanen on guitars throughout. On bass is Seppo Nuolikoski, with Teemu Vuorela on drums. This one comes roarin’ out of the station with the chugging boogie of “Last Train To Memphis,” as Micke’s goin’ to see “Carl Perkins and a young Elvis in his blue suede shoes!” Lefty’s slide is on fire on this one, and, a few cuts later, they make a stop down at 706 Union for a cool shot of rockabilly-infused blues, “Blame It On The Bright Lights.”
Micke gets his harp greased up and ready in “Hold Your Fire, Baby,” then takes a look at today’s world of instant gratification with the frenetic pace of winnin’ the “Rat Chase.” The band shows off a definite Delta connection with Lefty’s powerful acoustic slide over Micke’s reassuring vocals that “It Ain’t Bad Yet, everything’ll be all right.” The set closes with another Delta gem, a story-in-song of a man on trial for robbing a bank and giving the money to a poor woman. Micke and the band beg the judge, “don’t put the man In Chains.”
We had two favorites, too. Micke hits the nail on the head with the slide-heavy funk of “Get Ya In Da Mood,” because everybody knows that “you gotta go down South, if you wanna have some fun!” The set’s most topical piece follows a Doomsday beat, as Micke warns us all that “this killing game” among each other is only gonna lead to a bitter “Rain In Jerusalem.”
The blues is a global form of entertainment, and we have had the great fortune to hear many of the world’s best players. Add to those numbers the extremely-talented Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip with “Ain’t Bad Yet!” Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow
”The blues is a global form of entertainment, and we have had the great fortune to hear many of the world’s best players. Add to those numbers the extremely-talented Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip with “Ain’t Bad Yet!”
Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip have been tearin’ up the blues in Finland for over twenty years. They started out as an acoustic cover band, and, after a few personnel changes, turned into their current lineup, and began to write their own material and work on their now-legendary live shows. Their latest album, and sixth overall, is entitled “Ain’t Bad Yet,” and combines elements of Delta blues, rockabilly, and good ole straight-up combo blues.
At the helm is singer and harp blaster Micke Bjorklof, with Lefty Leppanen on guitars throughout. On bass is Seppo Nuolikoski, with Teemu Vuorela on drums. This one comes roarin’ out of the station with the chugging boogie of “Last Train To Memphis,” as Micke’s goin’ to see “Carl Perkins and a young Elvis in his blue suede shoes!” Lefty’s slide is on fire on this one, and, a few cuts later, they make a stop down at 706 Union for a cool shot of rockabilly-infused blues, “Blame It On The Bright Lights.”
Micke gets his harp greased up and ready in “Hold Your Fire, Baby,” then takes a look at today’s world of instant gratification with the frenetic pace of winnin’ the “Rat Chase.” The band shows off a definite Delta connection with Lefty’s powerful acoustic slide over Micke’s reassuring vocals that “It Ain’t Bad Yet, everything’ll be all right.” The set closes with another Delta gem, a story-in-song of a man on trial for robbing a bank and giving the money to a poor woman. Micke and the band beg the judge, “don’t put the man In Chains.”
We had two favorites, too. Micke hits the nail on the head with the slide-heavy funk of “Get Ya In Da Mood,” because everybody knows that “you gotta go down South, if you wanna have some fun!” The set’s most topical piece follows a Doomsday beat, as Micke warns us all that “this killing game” among each other is only gonna lead to a bitter “Rain In Jerusalem.”
The blues is a global form of entertainment, and we have had the great fortune to hear many of the world’s best players. Add to those numbers the extremely-talented Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip with “Ain’t Bad Yet!” Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow
Sunshine at night does not seem like it was the biggest influence for Finland’s Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip brand of slinky Blues. The Land of the Midnight Sun cast enough shadow for the late night Blue Soul of Ain’t Bad Yet, their sixth album, recorded and produced by John Porter at Rockfield Studios in Wales, home to the big rock of Britain by playing host to Queen, Black Sabbath, and Oasis. The rock heft bulks up the natural Blues in the music of Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip. Ain’t Bad Yet takes “Troublemaker” to task with a strict pounding rhythm, puts down heavy footfalls to walk through the “Sweet Dream’s A Sweet Dream”, hurries the groove to catch “Last Train to Memphis” as Micke Bjorklof tries to walk right in “Blame It On The Bright Lights” as Blue Strip lay down on a rhythm made of rubber.
Sunshine at night does not seem like it was the biggest influence for Finland’s Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip brand of slinky Blues. The Land of the Midnight Sun cast enough shadow for the late night Blue Soul of Ain’t Bad Yet, their sixth album, recorded and produced by John Porter at Rockfield Studios in Wales, home to the big rock of Britain by playing host to Queen, Black Sabbath, and Oasis. The rock heft bulks up the natural Blues in the music of Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip. Ain’t Bad Yet takes “Troublemaker” to task with a strict pounding rhythm, puts down heavy footfalls to walk through the “Sweet Dream’s A Sweet Dream”, hurries the groove to catch “Last Train to Memphis” as Micke Bjorklof tries to walk right in “Blame It On The Bright Lights” as Blue Strip lay down on a rhythm made of rubber.
Micke Yhdysvaltalaisen ”Live from the Midnight Circus”-ohjelman Richard L´Hommedieu:n haastateltavana.
Exclusive interview with Micke Bjorklof at Live from Midnight Circus – Making A Scene!!!
Mahtavaia uutisia jenkkilästä, ”Ain´t Bad Yet” debytoi Roots Music Report radiosoittolistalla sijalla #30.!!!
Just got some very cool news from USA, ”Ain´t Bad Yet” debuted as #30 at Roots Music Report Blues Top50 chart
”Haave, itseluottamus ja uuttera työ ovat kantaneet kansainvälisenkin mittapuun mukaan hienon hedelmän.”
Kun suunnistetaan kansainvälisille markkinoille, pitää kaiken olla suurta. Tuskin oli Blue Strip selvinnyt After the Flood -menestyksestä, kun jälleen tähyiltiin suuriin kuvioihin. Lontoossa ja New Orleansissa oli jo harjoiteltu maailmanluokan äänittämistä, ja nyt yhtye matkasi Walesiin, ja tuottajana oli alan kivikova velho John Porter.Blue Strip, Rockfield-studios ja moninkertainen Grammy-voittaja Porter työstivät kivikovan äänitteen. Se on polveileva, suorastaan genrevapaa ja kumartaa vaikkapa välillä popin ja toisaalta countrynkin suuntiin. Jos Micke Björklöf hoitaa osuutensa ja yllättää harpistinakin, niin Lefty Leppänen on se seppä, joka on takonut suurimman osan levyn verrattomista tekosista. Haave, itseluottamus ja uuttera työ ovat kantaneet kansainvälisenkin mittapuun mukaan hienon hedelmän.
Johnny-Kai Forssell