J. Karjalainen

J. Karjalainen (Jukka Tapio Karjalainen, born 1. April 1957, Helsinki) is possibly the most critically acclaimed and successful Finnish singer-songwriter. Starting out in 1980 his early albums were a mix of rhytmic blue-eyed soul and pop rock, while his latter albums have been increasingly influenced by folk and blues. J. Karjalainen has had a huge influence in Finnish rock music since the 1980's, as well as in the formation of Finnish blue-eyed soul scene. His music has been compared to the likes of Van Morrison and Bob Dylan, but of course, Karjalainen sings in his native tongue, Finnish.

His music is often blues-influenced, lyrically witty and somehow comforting. Lyrical themes vary from childhood memories (like Verinen Mies or Paskahousua) to varyingly obscure tales of everyday life. Tulpaani ja Sadepisara for example tells a tale of a tulip in the verge of dying of thirst. Karjalainen has created a sort of an alter ego wich he refers to as "Laulumies", the singer or singerman.

His latest album Lännen-Jukka features himself alone with a banjo and sometimes a guitar singing with a rough blues voice. The songs are mostly traditional (Finnish-)American folk songs.

Discography
Albums:
* J. Karjalainen ja Mustat lasit (1981)
* Yö kun saapuu Helsinkiin (1982)
* Tatsum tisal (1983)
* Tunnussävel (1983, live)
* Doris (1985)
* Varaani (1986)
* Kookospähkinäkitara (1987)
* Lumipallo (1988)
* Live (1989, live)
* Keltaisessa talossa (1990)
* Päiväkirja (1991)
* Tähtilampun alla (1992)
* Villejä lupiineja (1994)
* Electric Sauna (1996)
* Laura Häkkisen silmät (1998)
* Electric picnic (1999)
* Marjaniemessä (2001)
* Valtatie (2002)
* Lännen-Jukka (2006)

Compilations:
* Suurimmat hitit (Greatest hits, 1992)
* Vanhaa rautaa – keihäänkärkiä 1992–2004 (A sequel to previous compilation, 2004)
* Juhlakokoelma 1981-2005 (Boxed combination of the previous two, 2005)