Kalaniemi, Maria: Maria Kalaniemi - Bellow Poetry

The queen of the Finnish free-bass button accordion, Maria Kalaniemi releases her first internationally distributed solo album, Bellow Poetry. Having a twenty year professional career filled with duos, trios, ensembles, projects and collaborations, often with complex and intricate arrangements, Bellow Poetry shows Maria at her purest; she and her instrument in an informal, intimate, solo setting. Following albums Maria Kalaniemi, Iho, Ahma, Ramunder, Ambra, Trio Live in Tokyo and Airbow, Bellow Poetry is the album that reveals the essence of Maria and her music in all its melodic simplicity. Bellow Poetry was recorded at Maria’s home studios in 2005 with engineer Olli Varis who also features as guitar accompanist on two pieces. One additional outstanding feature on several pieces in the album is Maria’s vocals which have previously been heard only in projects such as Accordion Tribe, Ramunder and Pidot. Maria’s compositions and performances on Bellow Poetry are inspired by Kalevala runo poem singing, pastoral shepherd music and Finnish gypsy themes. Meditative and improvisational themes are explored on one of the world’s most expressive instruments by one of the world’s most expressive players. Here you can find sound samples or can purchase the complete album as mp3.