Koskenkorvapuusti (2006)

is the 6th album by The Mescaline Smugglers (or 9th if you want to count Cinnamon Salami as 4 albums) from October 2006. Anyway it's the fourth from 2006...

"Koskenkorvapuusti" is a unknown Finnish word which Davy made up while attempting to learn the language. It's a combination of "Koskenkorva", which is the name of Finland's national vodka, and "korvapuusti" - a bun, or a "box in the ear".

A peculiarity of this album is that there are 3 songs sung in Finnish. Two self-penned by Tarja, although one is based on The Book of Isaiah. But the third finnish song is sung by Davy! Tuomas and Jore don't sing at all on this collection! Otherwise the material is much as usual - blues, jugband, "easy stuff" and some instrumentals - but also cover versions of Donovan & Tom Waits.

Recorded and mixed by Jore Heikkilä
Webdesign by Jore & Joonas Heikkilä

Tracks:

1. Ain't Nobody Like Me (Mc Gowan)
A brilliant evidence of Davy's ability to make a whole song just by listening my bass riff. He even tried to put my name to dredit list. A humble talented genius! --jore
2. House of Jansch (Donovan)
An early Donovan classic. This recording appeared also on "Cover Stories 4" --jore
3. New Orleans Blues (Heikkilä - McGowan)
Jore's melody which I put words too. Great idea of Jore's to put the start through some magic to make it sound like an old recording. I sing and play guitar, mandolin, ukelele banjo. Jore does the tuba effect on a keyboard. Tuomas plays piano. ! --davy
Hmmm... I remember Tuomas making the tuba sound... --jore
4. Mirror (Mc Gowan)
5. Chasing The Blues (Mc Gowan)
6. Smuggler's Rap (Mc Gowan)
Jore said we'd never done a punk or a rap song. I only had time to write the rap one this time around. This was the last thing we recorded. Just a bit of a laugh. --davy
7. Miksi (Why) (Niittumäki)
8. All Them Women (Mc Gowan)
9. Breakfast at the Penguin Cafe (Mc Gowan)
My tribute to The Penguin Cafe Orchestra and their leader the late, lamented Simon Jeffes (who played koto on Donovan's Divine Daze of Deathless Delight). I play the main guitar and Jore does the rest.. --davy
10. Sand And Foam (Donovan)
I sing and play the 'mute trumpet' via an empty glass. Jore plays guitar and bass - Tuomas plays 'steel drums'. --davy
Empty glass on your mouth?? Since when that has happened? --jore
11. This Little Light of Mine (negro spiritual)
Jore and his wife Taina and Tarja and I attended a concert by a local choir while I was visiting and they sang this. I remembered it from way bank at Sunday School and decided to record it. --davy
12. Change Your Ways (Mc Gowan)
13. 16 Shells (Tom Waits)
One of my favourite Tom Waits songs --davy
14. Sparrow (Mc Gowan)
I feel like I almost stole this track from Davy by adding the melody with mandolins over Davy's guitar afterwards. But maybe it is ok - at least I can't find any credits from back art covers! Ha ha! --jore
15. Särkynyt sydän (Broken Heart) (The Bible, Niittumäki)
Old song (from late 70's) by Tarja. Glad she found it and wanted to record it. The text comes from Isaiah 42, not Psalms - sorry about the missinformation --jore
16. Pukilla menee huonosti (Santa is doing not so well) (Heikkilä)
Davy sings in Finnish! And believe me, he doesn't know a word! --jore
17. The Ending of the Day (Mc Gowan)
I play guitar. Jore plays bass and adds a backing vocal at the end. I quite like the way this turned out. --davy

PREVIEW — LYRICS — DOWNLOAD — REVIEWS

4. Mirror You can only kid yourself so long Got to get your head out from where it’s buried in the sand So things went wrong…so what? Just pick yourself up and then let’s go start again Put your memories in a bag And then move forward with nostalgia out of view Passing by the mirror I find myself wondering who I am Gotta try to see the sunrise Like it was for the first time Feel the feeling that enfolds you As a sign of something more than just a glow Seek the mystery behind all things And understand there’s more than meets the eye Passing by the mirror I find myself wondering who I am. (c)Davy Mc Gowan 2006 8. All Them Women I never took nothing for nothing I never took nothing for free I never took nothing but all them women They all took something from me I never took nothing for granted I never took nothing as read I never took nothing but all them women They all just messed with my head There’s snow for sure in the wintertime There’s blossom in the spring There’s a boy out there for every girl And a diamond for every ring I never took nothing that wasn’t mine I never took nothing for free I never took nothing but all them women They all took something from me (c) Davy Mc Gowan 2006 12. Change Your Ways My woman she done told me, she told me yesterday She’s six feet four in her stocking soles so I listen what she say And she said, ‘Man, you’re gonna have to change your ways,” “You better get your shit together Or I’m gonna bust your ass someday.” Well I listened to that woman when she offered me advice Yes I listened every word she said, I didn’t need told twice I thought I’d maybe answer, but the longer that I thunk The more I wanted whisky and to go get sloppy drunk Well I smiled and played it cool, I told her she was right Then I went down to Frankie’s Bar and I stayed in there all night Well I really love that woman and we get along just fine But I know she’s gonna be the death of me somewhere down the line (c) Davy Mc Gowan 2006

15. Särkynyt sydän (Broken Heart) Särjettyä ruokoa et, Herra, muserra, suitsevaista kynttilän sydäntä et sammuta. Lähellä on Herra niitä, joilla särjetty sydän on ja Hän pelastaa ne, joilla on murtunut mieli. Sinä olet antanut meidän kokea paljon ahdistusta ja onnettomuutta. Sinä virvoitat meidät jälleen henkiin, maan syvyyksistä tuot meidät takaisin. Särjettyä ruokoa et, Herra, muserra, suitsevaista kynttilän sydäntä et sammuta. Lähellä on Herra niitä, joilla särjetty sydän on ja Hän pelastaa ne, joilla on murtunut mieli. Ole minulle kallio, jolla aina saan asua iankakkinen turva, kadotettujen toivo. Sinä annat riemun, ylistyksen jälleen, nostat pienen ihmisen kyynellaaksosta iloihin. Särjettyä ruokoa et, Herra, muserra, suitsevaista kynttilän sydäntä et sammuta. Lähellä on Herra niitä, joilla särjetty sydän on ja Hän pelastaa ne, joilla on murtunut mieli. (c) Tarja Niittumäki 1978 16. Pukilla menee huonosti (Santa is doing not so well) Joulupukki ampui eilen itseään polveen, oli kännissä testaillut lahjahaulikkoa Tapauksesta hän saa nimismieheltä syytteen, vakuutusyhtiö korvaa ei vahinkoa. Tontut he tietysti kovasti järkyttyivät Osa aikookin työstänsä irtisanoutua. Mutta yhtenä miehenä kaikki he kieltäytyivät siivoamasta verilammikkoa. Pukki, pukki, minkä teit! Pukki, minkä teit. Tajuatko, että melkein joulun meiltä veit? Pukin tempaukset eivät lie päättyneet vielä ne siihen - tää viimeisin aiheuttaa kylmää väristystä: Oli vihjannut luottamustontulle takana riihen, et' Petteri-parasta tehtäisiin käristystä! Pukki on tapauksen johdosta niukkasanainen Yritys raittiutta kohti on ponnetonta Jouluna pukkina esiintyykin meille nainen kun muori on luvannut tuurata onnetonta Pukki, pukki, minkä teit! Pukki, minkä teit. Tajuatko, että melkein joulun meiltä veit? (c) Jorma Heikkilä 2006 17. The Ending of the Day Sitting in a smoky room With a whisky in my hand But I’m writing you a letter baby I hope you understand Sun setting in the western sky But I just can’t fly away That’s the time I miss you most At the ending of the day. Life will deal the cards out You can’t just pick and choose Gonna get your share of heartaches We’re all bound to sing the blues Well I need your sweet love right now But you’re a thousand miles away That’s the time I miss you most At the ending of the day. (c) Davy Mc Gowan 2006

PREVIEW — LYRICS — DOWNLOAD — REVIEWS

We have one review of this album by Kristi:

1. Ain't Nobody Like Me - I'd agree - there's nobody quite like "our boys" as they start out this album with a whole different (jazz/blues) feel and a strong base beat. This is just one among the many musical styles they excel in, so easily and naturally.

2. House of Jansch - This take on the Don song stars Davy on guitar, with Jore providing the strong base. This is a good pattern and good playing in a blues mood.

3. New Orleans Blues - We're way down South in New Orleans, where there's laughter all night long. I loved this one, guys - it makes you want to dance! Jore's melody, which Davy put words to - and another great idea of Jore's, to make it sound like it's coming from an old-time gramophone. My mother recognized this right away as '1920's' Ragtime Piano - a mood that they re-create very well! I like hearing Davy talking in the background...'you talkin' to ME?'! LOL!

4. Mirror - Sort of a Latin feel here, with bongo drums and a deep base tone. That there is a mystery behind all things, and more to understand than meets the eye is a profound observation with universal implications.

5. Chasing The Blues - This one changes the mood completely. Real lively and fun, with a 'live for today' feeling. Davy plays guitar, washboard, and kazoo - so 'Hoosier Hotshots'! - while Jore plays mandolin, and Tuomas plays piano and bass. Love that old-time Ragtime piano! This song really does chase your blues away. No wonder those three sound so happy - they were probably drunk at the time!

6. Smuggler's Rap - A different feeling here - Latin/Jazz/Rap - brought to you by our Smugglers. Heavy on the bongo drums and base.

7. Miksi (Why) - One of Tarja's songs. She sings, and Jore does the rest. With a finger- snapping, '50's jazz cafe beat, it makes you wish you could understand Finnish.

8. All Them Women - With Tuomas on piano, Jore on double bass, and Davy playing guitar and drums. Davy's voice suits the smooth blues mood. Uh-oh, looks like he and Tuomas were drunk...again! Ha!

9. Breakfast at the Penguin Cafe - A catchy, appealing, fast-paced guitar instrumental.

11. This Little Light of Mine - I love this Ragtime Gospel. You can just envision everybody in the church clapping their hands! I guarantee, there will be no snoozing in the pews at this church!

12. Change Your Ways - Some lively ragtime piano and sprightly guitar here. Davy is a natural at singing this style. "He smiled and played it cool, and told her she was right." Darned if this doesn't remind me of one of my old boyfriends! I can relate...to the woman in the song, that is! (You'd better get it together, Davy - LOL!)

13. 16 Shells - If anyone is ever tired of piano music, this one would definitely wake them up in the morning - although let's hope they aren't suffering from a hangover! It's a sound like pounding nails, metal clashing on an anvil, or working on the 'chain gang'. It's low-down and desperate - kind of like you might expect mescaline smugglers to be, ha ha! An in-your-face kind of a song...for when you want your cage rattled! As Ade would say - "very Tom Waits!"

14. Sparrow - Bert Jansch made an LP of instrumentals called Avoicet, where all the tracks were named after birds - so Davy is having a little fun with this idea. A relaxing respite from the previous song, you can imagine a bird in flight. Nice, peaceful, dreamy - reminiscent of cascading waters, with gentle high notes sprinkled through there.

15. Särkynyt sydän (Broken Heart) - Tarja wrote this, and it was partly based upon a Psalm in the Bible. This qualifies as a soft and pretty lullably - and again, it would be nice if we knew Finnish.

16. Pukilla menee huonosti (Santa is doing not so well) - Jore wrote this catchy 'Finnish Blues' number and then talked Davy into singing it. I must say, he enunciates very well, for one who isn't Finnish! We can't help wondering if Santa has a hangover!

17. The Ending of the Day - Jore plays bass and adds a backing vocal at the end while Davy sings and does the very deliberate guitar picking. Davy likes the way this one turned out, and quite rightly. A heartfelt tribute to someone he misses - and a fitting ending to a great album.