There aren’t too many artists who could say that they made a live album in the midst of the current global pandemic. However, our favourite Finnish blues export Erja Lyytinen is most certainly one of them.
Recorded in the slide guitar supremo’s hometown of Kuopio, Finland on Mother’s Day Eve, Lyytinen’s first concert album in five years captures a specific moment in time. This very special show was the first occasion that Lyytinen and her bandmates had been able to perform together since their 2020 live schedule was curtailed due to COVID-19.
The show was originally broadcast live across the world via the internet as part of a pay per view event, for which no expense was spared. And the aforementioned special event now forms the basis of this wonderful CD/DVD package.
In terms of the track listing, Lyytinen’s latest concert album features a nicely balanced setlist which draws upon the artist’s last two studio releases ‘Another World’ and ‘Stolen Hearts’ respectively. Whilst for the old school fans, tracks such as “Wildflower” and “Dreamland Blues” take the listener back to the start of the high-flying Finn’s career.
The beauty of this live album is that not only does it perfectly represent this specific point in time within Lyytinen’s career, but it also documents a historic period within the music world in 2020. A time where artists took to the internet to perform and stay in contact with their fanbase.
Having been starved of the opportunity to play live for several months due to government restrictions, ‘Lockdown Live 2020’ perfectly captures the raw energy and emotion of such a unique occasion during these unprecedented times. The ‘Queen of the Slide Guitar’ and her esteemed colleagues at the top of their game and enjoying every minute of the experience. The latter being a sentiment which will surely be reciprocated by her listeners.
Words by Adam Kennedy