Pulu (Finnish for "Pigeon") is the 1998 debut album of Ismo Alanko Säätiö. The newly formed band's sound has influences from Finnish folk music. An important part of the album's sound is reputed accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen. Pulu reached number one on the Finnish album charts.Pulu on finnishcharts.com - Retrieved on April 17, 2008
In "Rakkaus on ruma sana", Alanko criticizes the Finnish word "rakkaus" ("love") for being ugly. The song title can be translated as "Love Is a Bad Word", "Love Is an Ugly Word", or even "Rakkaus Is an Ugly Word". Alanko later used the same title when he released a book of his song lyrics, Rakkaus on ruma sana - valitut laulutekstit (2004).Juuso Tervo: Rakkaus on kova sana (Helsingin Sanomat, May 11, 2008)
"Tuulipuvun tuolla puolen" ("Beyond the tracksuit") is a reference to the Finnish tango Satumaa that begins with "Aavan meren tuolla puolen" ("Beyond the wide ocean"). It was also the name of the concert tour that followed the release of Pulu.Luonnossa on neta.fi - Retrieved on April 21, 2008
Track listing All songs by Ismo Alanko.Pulu on discogs.com - Retrieved on April 14, 2008 "Värityskirja" – 5:07 "Päivän uutinen" – 4:24 "Rakkaus on ruma sana" – 3:48 "Pisaroi" – 6:30 "Maalausliike" – 4:04 "Tango Yössä" – 4:06 "Lihaa ja verta" – 3:09 "Vaiennut hiljaisuus" – 6:02 "Sairaat" – 3:41 "Pulu" – 4:33 "Tuulipuvun tuolla puolen" – 4:11
Personnel Ismo Alanko – vocals, guitar, piano, cello Kimmo Pohjonen – accordion, harmonica, vocals Teho Majamäki – vibraphone, marimba, organ, percussion Jussi Kinnunen – bass, vocals Marko Timonen – drums, percussion Kari Kriikku – clarinet (on #1 and #11) Jukka Orma – guitar (on #4 and #6) Pemo Ojala – trumpet (on #4) Sanna Kurki-Suonio – vocals (on #5, #7 and #10)
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