Jussi Reijonen: sayr: salt thirst (in the studio) & sayr: kaiho (in concert)

     Finnish guitarist and oudist Jussi Reijonen spent a day in the studio to record sayr: salt thirst, a solo performance on steel-string acoustic guitar. Sayr is Arabic for “course” or “motion”, a metaphor for “ a musical pathway unfolding through improvisation in a memory palace of sound,” according to Reijonen’s website. There was just one take of about 40 minutes to take up both sides of an Lp, split into two “suites” titled salt and thirst. At the beginning of salt, his main influences seemed to be John Fahey at his most devotional and Robbie Basho. The music here is meditative, intimate and calming. The next section, sarvi (‘horn’ in English) is fragmented and atomized, though equally intimate, as if the listener is allowed to intrude upon Reijonen’s guitar musings. Then I noticed that in the booklet for this release, Reijonen cites Lightnin’ Hopkins, Ali Farka Touré, Paco de Lucia, Hamza El Din and others “for leaving us trails.” Clearly his influences are broad and partake of many styles and approaches to string instruments. The playing is impeccable, the recording is transparent, and it all makes it easy to get lost in ths music. Totally improvised, and quite lovely as well. Recommended. Unmusic UNCD12025/UNLP12025 ; Jussi Reijonen (performed on steel-string acoustic guitar in one improvised take); Helsinki, Finland, March 1, 2025; salt (sola/ sarvi/ sae/ keinu)/ thirst (koto/ kuori/ kaarna/ säe/ kiedo/ aina/ ennen); 40:00.

    Six months later, Jussi Reijonen brought his guitar and oud to play in the same personal spirit for an audience in a small space in Helsinki. The Black Box seats between 220 and 350 people, depending on the room’s configuration. The name of the venue is perfect for the live improvised nature of sayr: kaiho (roughly “longing” or “nostalgia” in Finnish). The “input” is Reijonen’s vast array of influential music, as filtered through an individual personality. The “output” of course is the music that we’re hearing. But how this happens is a bit of a mystery, perhaps even to Reijonen himself. Two sets of instant compositions that make a stunning matched pair. Unmusic UNCD22025/UNLP22025; Jussi Reijonen (steel-string acoustic guitar, oud*); Helsinki, Finland, September 19, 2025; halla (kuura/ pihka/ suisto/ kaaripeili/ sarvi)/ fes* (irti/ iki/ eri)/ vielä (entä); 42:14. www.jussireijonen.com