Tombstone Valentine
Encyclopedia
Tombstone Valentine is a studio album released by Wigwam
in 1970. While the previous album Hard 'n' Horny was more of a jazz
influenced album, Tombstone Valentine in one of their more pop-ish albums. The album sounds more like the records of the "Deep Pop" era (Nuclear Nightclub, Lucky Golden Stripes and Starpose) than the records of the progressive rock era (Hard 'n' Horny, Fairyport
and Being
).
This is the first album with Pekka Pohjola
in the band, replacing bassist Mats Huldén. Guitarist Nikke Nikamo also left after Hard 'n' Horny, but a permanent replacement for him couldn't be found, so Jukka Tolonen
of Tasavallan Presidentti
plays guitar on some of the tracks. Tombstone Valentine represents the sound they forsook for the next two progressive albums, Fairyport and Being.
Unlike the other Wigwam albums, this was produced by "non-Finnish" producer, the American Kim Fowley
. The track "The Dance of the Anthropoids" is not a Wigwam track, but an experimental electronic piece by Erkki Kurenniemi
, recorded in 1968 originally. Kim Fowley thought it was so brilliant that it had to be on the album.
Wigwam (progressive rock)
Wigwam is a Finnish progressive rock band formed in 1968.Wigwam was founded after the split of the seminal Blues Section, with whom drummer Ronnie Österberg had played before. He formed the band as a trio, but soon brought in British expatriate singer/songwriter Jim Pembroke and organist Jukka...
in 1970. While the previous album Hard 'n' Horny was more of a jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
influenced album, Tombstone Valentine in one of their more pop-ish albums. The album sounds more like the records of the "Deep Pop" era (Nuclear Nightclub, Lucky Golden Stripes and Starpose) than the records of the progressive rock era (Hard 'n' Horny, Fairyport
Fairyport
Fairyport is a double LP by Wigwam, which was released in 1971.-Side B:# "Gray Traitors" – 2:48# "Cafffkaff, the Country Psychologist" – 5:22# "May Your Will Be Done, Dear Lord" – 5:28# "How to Make It Big In Hospital" – 3:03-Side C:...
and Being
Being (album)
Being is a 1974 album by the Finnish progressive rock group Wigwam.- Track listing :# "Proletarian" - 2:10# "InspiRed Machine" - 1:28# "Petty-Bourgeois" - 2:58...
).
This is the first album with Pekka Pohjola
Pekka Pohjola
Jussi Pekka Pohjola was a Finnish multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer. Best known as a bass player, Pohjola was also a classically trained pianist and violinist...
in the band, replacing bassist Mats Huldén. Guitarist Nikke Nikamo also left after Hard 'n' Horny, but a permanent replacement for him couldn't be found, so Jukka Tolonen
Jukka Tolonen
Jukka Tolonen is a Finnish jazz guitarist. Tolonen became famous as guitarist for the band Tasavallan Presidentti...
of Tasavallan Presidentti
Tasavallan Presidentti
Tasavallan Presidentti is a Finnish progressive rock band. It was founded in 1969 by guitarist Jukka Tolonen and drummer Vesa Aaltonen. Other founder members were Måns Groundstroem and Frank Robson , previously of Blues Section...
plays guitar on some of the tracks. Tombstone Valentine represents the sound they forsook for the next two progressive albums, Fairyport and Being.
Unlike the other Wigwam albums, this was produced by "non-Finnish" producer, the American Kim Fowley
Kim Fowley
Kim Vincent Fowley is an American record producer, impresario, songwriter, musician, film maker, and radio actor. He is best known for his role behind a string of novelty and cult rock pop singles in the 1960s, and for managing The Runaways in the 1970s...
. The track "The Dance of the Anthropoids" is not a Wigwam track, but an experimental electronic piece by Erkki Kurenniemi
Erkki Kurenniemi
Erkki Kurenniemi is a Finnish designer, philosopher and artist, best known for his electronic music compositions and the electronic instruments he has designed. He is considered one of the leading early pioneers of electronic music in Finland...
, recorded in 1968 originally. Kim Fowley thought it was so brilliant that it had to be on the album.
Track listing
- "Tombstone Valentine" - 3:03
- "In Gratitude" - 3:44
- "The Dance of the Anthropoids - 1:07
- "Frederick & Bill" - 4:23
- "Wishful Thinker" - 3:44
- "Autograph" - 2:36
- "1936 Lost In The Snow" - 2:09
- "Let The World Ramble On" - 3:19
- "For America" - 4:19
- "Captain Supernatural" - 3:01
- "End" - 3:36
Personnel
- Jukka Gustavson - Vocals, Organ, Piano
- Jim PembrokeJim PembrokeJames Francis Pembroke is the vocalist of Finnish progressive rock band Wigwam. A British expatriate, Pembroke had played with London group Taverners' Guild before arriving in Finland in 1965. He immediately found himself in some demand, gigging on an ad hoc basis with various lineups , until...
- Vocals - Pekka PohjolaPekka PohjolaJussi Pekka Pohjola was a Finnish multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer. Best known as a bass player, Pohjola was also a classically trained pianist and violinist...
- Bass, Violin - Ronnie Österberg - Drums