Tasavallan Presidentti
Live at Ruisrock 1971

2LP, black vinyl, gatefold, booklet.

Tasavallan Presidentti live at the Ruisrock festival in 1971!

Tasavallan Presidentti's annual performances at Ruisrock in Turku, Finland during the festival's early years were proof of the band's rapid ascent from a local band to an internationally renowned group of top musicians. «Pressa» left a lasting mark on many a festivalgoer, and the most optimistic ones were hoping to get these performances on a live album, if recordings existed. They do exist, and what remains on tape of the first ever Ruisrock performance was released on Changing Times and Movements (Svart Records), and the show at Ruisrock 1971 is now coming out on this album.

Arriving in Turku 1971 «Pressa» had completely shed their skin and revamped their set list from the previous year. The group had evolved into something entirely new musically. The festival had a more progressive lineup this year, and Pressa got the chance to prove themselves as part of a well respected international lineup. Some of Ruisrock's international talent in 1971 included The Jeff Beck Group, The Kinks, Fairport Convention, Canned Heat, Juicy Lucy, Hardin & York, Pete Brown & Piblokto!, Pink Fairies, Stefan Grossman, Niemen Enigmatic, Culpeper's Orchard, Fläsket Brinner and Fruit.

There's been a lot of talk among fans about a certain cover tune by Tasavallan Presidentti and its discovery and release are long overdue. Well, here it is, King Kong by Frank Zappa, performed by Tasavallan Presidentti at Ruisrock 1971!