Wigwam at Töölönranta

 

I've had this album for some time, and now with the Danish 1976 recording out I have to point out that this Töölönranta is probably the best live set we will have with the 1975 line up. The radio had a time limit, so not all the songs are the length they would be in a normal set. But then on the other hand they sound a lot like the album they had released. 

I was in Finland in 1975 in the summer, but missed seeing the band on that trip. This is what it would have been like, I came home with the 1975 album Nuclear Nightclub. It was probably that line up's best studio album. It was a fresh start and they spent money to record it in Stockholm.

In the 70s Jim's voice was still holding out well, so his parts are great. You hear a little of his keyboard, not much. Well, at most times Jim does the chords, what a rhythm guitar would do. Pedro does the synthesizer.

The book Pembroke wrote covers this era and Nuclear Nightclub as the happy years of the band. Once drummer Ronnie died, all that ended. 

The venue is outdoors with a small audience and the YLE recorded sound is quite good for that time.

Now, the sad part. Yes, Jim was at time pessimistic about his personal issues, despite the band doing quite well.

In the set here we start with A Better Hold (And A Little View). The song is the story of Jim's failing relationship with his Finnish wife. The couple had one child, Emma, who is mentioned later in Emma's song. Here there is some hope expressed to carry on. I have the lyrics from the live set below. The recorded version on his solo album had a comical character Igor in it, mainly to just mix up what the song was about. It was very well arranged with a marimba riff that was also played on keyboard in live sets. But this live track is nevertheless the best version they recorded. It really come across with some energy as the set opener.

Oh my sweet Elisa (or Liza)

Something that I had to say

And I don’t think it can wait

Till tomorrow.

I’ve been lately coming down

With those same old no good blues

And I don’t think I can take it…very long.

I waited through the summer,

All that winter too,

And I haven’t got a clue about…what went wrong,

I’ve been lately coming down

With those same old no good blues.

And I don’t think I can take it very long.

Woo-oo, I need you honey and I want to say,

Every night and day,

…ain’t no knowing and it’s just as well,

But time will tell, but I know it,

To my soul, 

Before we go and lose control,

So we’ve got to get a better hold….

…got to get a better hold…

Oh oh oh..

Oh my dear sweet Elisa

Something that I had to say

And I don’t think it can wait

Till tomorrow.

I’ve been lately coming down

With those same old no good blues

And I don’t think I can take it…very long.

Need your love and I got to say

Every night and day,

…ain’t no knowing and it’s just as well,

But time will tell, but I know it,

To my soul, 

Before we go and lose control,

So we’ve got to get a better hold….

…got to get a better hold…

(repeats)

One more time

Other tracks  cover the major songs from Nuclear Nightclub. The odd song from the album is Bless Your Lucky Stars. Like Do or Die or Pig Storm, it is mostly an instrumental. It seems that Jim's vocal line was a sort of last minute addition. But Jim does sing through a good part of the song. The distorted vocals on sthe studio version must have been difficult to reproduce live. The guitar solo is fine and I think this is the only live version of the song I am going to play very much.

The album does have some spoken introductions, with the host asking Måsse a few things. It does summarize their positive attitude at this point. I play the whole thing without skipping any parts.