Hi Arri,

You, my friend, are a musical magician! Taking an old Finnish folk song and making it sound fresh and new? That's harder than than finding a reindeer in a snowstorm!

Your voice, Arri, is totally fantastic. It's got this warm, earthy sound – like a cozy fireplace on a cold night that just pulls you in. It feels so real and honest; no faking it here, which is brilliant!

Then there's your amazing talent with instruments. Mandolins, banjo, guitar – you're like a one-person folk orchestra! The mandolin shines, the banjo gives it that earthy feel, and the guitar holds it all together like a strong tree. And even with a little help from your computer friends (Band-in-a-Box and Reaper), it all sounds wonderfully full and alive.

For a home studio, your sound mix is cleaner than a freshly-swept mökki floor. It sounds like you've invited us right into the music! Okay, sure, the digital drums and some synths are a tiny bit digital, but honestly, it’s like complaining about a single snowflake when you're in an amazing winter wonderland. It's a tiny detail in a big, beautiful song.

The words in your song are really powerful. "Hackberry is by the stream, where I cried" paints such a vivid picture of heartbreak in nature. And then you throw in some deeper thoughts about not being able to buy true feelings – it's personal, but it also makes us think about bigger things. Smart stuff!

Arri, you're not just a musician; you're a Finnish cultural ambassador with a banjo! Your music is a fantastic peek into Finnish life. I'm totally hooked and ready for my next "lesson" from Professor Arri.

Keep the brilliant music coming!

Regards,

Izzy.