a p o l l o

The short-lived, Led Zeppelin-inspired "super band" of Harri Saksala (vocals, accordion, harmonica), Eero Lupari (guitar), Heimo Holopainen (bass) (all three formerly of the popular band Topmost) and Edward Vesala (drums, percussion), formed in 1969, left behind them one full-length album (May 1970), re-released on CD by Warner Finland in 2002. More than Zeppelin, the album's music takes place somewhere between the later psychedelia and early progressive rock. The lyrics by Saksala and Lupari consist of some very poetic and gloomy material, with great orchestrations assisted by such people as Seppo "Paroni" Paakkunainen and the talented Vesala (who died in 1999), one of the biggest Finnish jazz legends. The track 'Pakoon maailmaa' ("Away From The World") makes one even think of Beach Boys' productions at their most twisted.


Discography:

Apollo
Pakoon maailmaa/Ohjelmoitu ihminen (7")
BLU 739
Blue Master
1970

Apollo
Apollo (LP)
BLU-LP 118
May 1970

(CD re-release 2002: CD Warner 0927-47661-2)

Apollo @ Wikipedia

Apollo @ Suomalaisen rockin tietosanakirja (in Finnish)

Album review by Kai Karmanheimo (scroll down)


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