News archive:
newsand events from previous months:
2006
2006
New articles:
Christmas Mincemeat Pies! Advent: Christmas past and present in the church. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" The Story Behind This Traditional Christmas Song 2006
New e-mail address
Please note the change of email address for Christian Charles deplique (the old one no longer works) to: shalom.ahimma@pp.inet.fi
2006
New article: An Expensive Gospel!
2006
New articles: All Saints' Day: Who Are These Saints? ; All Saints' Day
and
High Fidelity Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3
2006
Short video from the Polish TV coverage of The Annual Ecumenical Song of Songs (SOS).
Gospel Festival in Torun Poland: 25-26th June 2004. PolishTV2.mpeg (12.3MB, QuickTime recommended for viewing)
2006
New band photos from the new cd The Spirit In The Dark
2006
Lectures, Workshops and Seminars
2006
new articles:
All Saints' Day: Who Are These Saints? ; All Saints' Day ; High Fidelity Part 1 | High Fidelity Part 2 | High Fidelity Part 3 ; The History of The Cloudberry; Finnish Oven Cheese... with delicious Cloudberries from Lapland!
2006
Music and The Arts...
in The Italian Alps of Oropa!!
2006
Single released on Bluelight Records Finland.
2006
Dags säga nej till terrorism (Wake Up!") translation in English
Dags säga nej till terrorism2006
Really Breaking News! Christian-Charles de Plicque's long awaited cd: "Spirit In the Dark!" on Angel House Records naturally...
check website for official release date!
2006
MORE Really Breaking News!
The Black Diamond Duo! = Christian-Charles de Plicque, and gifted finnish guitarist, Jarkka Rissanen Together, on cd at last!
Acoustic 1940's & 50's, back-to-the-roots of gospel... 'Lectric Slide N' Gospel!"
Produced by the Finnish legendary music man, Janne Haavisto!
Read all about how the Black Diamond Duo (Rissanen / de Plicque) was found at www.deplicque.net
Lectures, Workshops and Seminars
We are now accepting
Reservations for:
Lectures, Workshops and Seminars on:
The History of Black Gospel, Traditional Spirituals, Happy Blues songs
We thought to write you, to see if you and your organisation might be interested in having Christian-Charles and his team come, to lecture, do workshops or have seminars on The History of the Blues, Black Gospel, Traditional Spirituals ? He continues working with his longtime musical director, Mikael Svarvar (photo of them below), and who is also the leader of de Plicque's gospel band: "The Dynamite Band!" Mikael is a well known tv personality (musical conductor for a popular music show in Finland).
He is Finland's best soul/Christian recording artist, having more than 4 cds released; a respected music instructor at the prestigious Musikhuset (House of Music Institute) in Jakobstad Finland and a great black gospel keyboardist!
Svarvar and Christian-Charles have ministered together for many years now. Likewise de Plicque is about to release his latest recording within the new year, entitled: "Spirit In the Dark!", which he did the arrangements for. It will be his 28th recording released since 1968.
The real power of Black Gospel: The Hammond B-3 Organ and Leslie!
Wherever Christian-Charles ministers around the world, in particular in Scandinavia, Russia and Central Europe in particular, people everywhere seem to be lovers of Gospel music. Some see it simply as a "style" of music, others see it for it's profound christian values in it's texts, but it surely has impacted a lot of people around the world.
In giving lectures and seminars, at high schools, churches with youth and older age groups (that grew up singing Spirituals maybe, but have no idea of what these texts might mean in their own mother tongue, it is for us, a great opportunity to shine a light on the history of this deep music, it's roots and how it has progressed in various styles, from long ago, to today's multi-platinum selling cds and dvds.
Usually after a lecture or workshop at music institutes for example, the students along with Christian-Charles' pianist and himself, they will get together and have jam sessions to encourage the music lovers. Often they have never had an opportunity to actually play this music with people that have grown up in it and for de Plicque, it is inspiring to see young people, taking it on into their generation and embracing it.
School, church and organisation directors are often surprised, but happy to hear from him, as it offers something completely different to their regular curriculum.
They themselves might have never thought about this possibility before, to give their students, their churches, additional alternatives. Many in various countries might attend a gospel concert when it comes to their city, but usually they never have a chance to actually have a gospel artist or artists, to sit and speak to them on a one to one basis, have lectures and seminars, and then actually be able to play and sing some of this beloved music in a smaller intimate setting.
Over the decades Christian-Charles has, on occasion, heard directors say: "We can't afford it, before even knowing what it would cost or even if it costs anything! There is an old expression that says: "Where there is a will, there is a way!" Not everything in this day and age, fortunately, is costly! Gospel concerts of course cost, because of the material, the production and the publicity. But the Gospel Itself, has always been free!
These kinds of lectures, seminars, workshops are usually organised through the local church for example, other christian organisations, City Cultural Departments have been very interested in bringing such an international ethnic event to their city...
Interested in asking your school, organisation, church about our team coming your way? Likewise, de Plicque enjoys very much working with christian artists, teachers, etc. of each country that he is invited to. It makes it more like a family event, which is what the Gospel and the music in it, is all about!
Naturally should you want to organise a concert, he and his group could come, in various musical formats: The Dynamite Band! which is a team of fine on-fire finnish musicians and background singers. The Black Diamond Duo! (Svarvar and de Plicque), etc.
We hope to hear from you, at your earliest convenience of course!
Angel House International Missions Ministries Association
Storgatan 14 B 11
67100 Karleby
FINLAND
e-mail: shalom.ahimma@pp.inet.fi
fax: +358.6.831 5358
Telephone: +358.6.831 5356
web site: www.deplicque.net
www.radiodei.fi (Black Gospel weekly National and internet radio
program)
2006
Be on the lookout for the first ever, Black Diamond Duo cd! 'Lectric Slide N' Gospel!"
Coming in 2007 and produced by the Finnish legendary producer/musician, Janne Haavisto!
Happy Blues and Real Soul Music!
2006 Finland!
The True Story of...
The
Black
D
i
a
m
o
n
d
!...
How
it Was Found!
Torino Italia
News!
Be on the lookout for the first ever, Black Diamond Duo cd!
Coming in 2007 and produced by the Finnish legendary
producer/musician, Janne Haavisto!
In Eastern Finland, there’s a big province called: “Savo”, which among Finns is known as: “The Finnish Texas”. There is no oil though, no cowboys and no longhorn cattle. And, it’s not even near the Mexican border. But every time when a person born there opens their mouth, you can hear a strange “twang”, a funny accent... An accent which totally, (and some say brutally), breaks all the rules of the very complicated Finnish grammar. And that’s why they call it: The Finnish Texas!
When the whiter half of the Black Diamond Duo, Jakka Rissanen, born in Kuopio, (Savo), now resident in Lapinlahti, took his guitars and moved to Helsinki, in search for more work, the first thing he had to do, was to correct his twang. This was so that he could be understood, and credible in the main music center of Finland. Folks from Texas often have the same problem when they move to New York for example.
Kouvola Finland
Anyway, he managed quite well and found some work playing all styles of music, from progressive rock, to traditional Finnish “humppa-music”, from streets and small dance-halls, to theaters, studios and everything in between.
Eventually he found his way to the not-so-big blues circuit of Helsinki. There he had the chance to play the music that had been closest to his heart since his early teens. This was an opportunity to execute the musical language he had been learning from the 45’s and lps (“dinosaurs” as the new generation call them today), of guitarists of Texas.
The most important day, (slight exaggeration like most Finnish Texans), in the career of Jakka Rissanen, was the day when he met Monsieur Christian-Charles Milton de Plicque, a mulatto blues and Black Gospel singer from...you guessed it, TEXAS!
Asissi Italia
Born in Dallas, with heavy french roots...de Plicque, or: “Risto-Kalle” or "Crille", as he is known in Finland, being somewhat older than Jari, happened to know personally, some of the blues artists he admired the most. Guitarists like the late great Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan (the late brother of Jimmie), Johnny Winter, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Johnny Winter...you get the picture. "Risto-Kalle" or "Crille", knew those guys and had played with them back in the ‘60’s. Especially having worked with Stevie Ray, in their first known group in the Southwest of Texas and Oklahoma called: “Blackbird”.
Ristirock (Cross Rock) Festival in Tampere Finland
Since those days in Texas, Monsieur de Plicque has had a remarkable career as an artist, performing Black Gospel and traditional happy blues all around the world. From Texas he moved to his family's’ homeland France, where he lived for over two decades, touring Central Europe, South Africa, Russia and Scandinavian countries with gifted musicians.
In 1988 he officially left France, to settle in Finland. He is now a permanent resident and resides in the seaside...
Ikaalinen Finland .
...cosmopolitan city of Karleby (Kokkola). He obtained a degree in Swedish (Finland's’ second national language), and in Finnish too. In his city, he is journalist for the city's’ swedish-speaking newspaper for almost a decade now and is director of a Christian Arts association (Angel House International).
In 1989, he made his third european cd, and first one done in Finland: “Nothin’ But The Truth!”, and had no regrets about using talented Finnish musicians and background vocalists on it... because they sound “quite black”, as he keeps saying... The nucleus of that studio group became the powerfully dynamic “Boss’s Band!”. That group of 14, swept through Finland like a fire out of control. It dissolved in 1990.
Asissi Italia
Rissanen of course, who has played in or recorded in all of Christian-Charles' bands, remains the “main man” guitarist of “Risto-Kalle”. In so much that The Black Diamond Duo was formed.
This is very simple: a black man’s strong and soulful voice, accompanied only by an old National steel-bodied Dobro guitar, and sometimes a few other acoustic and electric guitars for colorful ambiance! The Black Diamond Duo was formed when these two guys were sitting together in Jarkka’s apartment. Rissanen picked up his Dobro and began to accompany "Risto-Kalle" on an old Negro Spiritual he was humming.
Oulu Gospel 1988 (Oulu Finland)
They soon made a demo, at the request of friends who dug what they were doing. It was played to their musician and producer colleagues. Those folk immediately started to encourage them to do more of the same kind of stuff: that old Mississippi/Texas Gospel/Blues style, down-to-the-bone thang...
Things went on and The Black Diamond Duo had more and more performances at clubs, festivals, radio, tv, churches...
You’ll hear all the old masters: Sonhouse, Robert Johnson, Bukka White, while mixed with a beautiful taste of steaming Black Gospel (Mahalia, Sister Rosetta Thorpe, The Fabulous Caravans, ....) and steady heaping spoonfuls of rhythm & blues to knock your socks off!
Like all Black Diamonds, this Black Diamond Duo is ever being polished to perfection...and is shining brilliantly even more so in the years to come, as it ages.
Roma Italia
In addition to de Plicque, who, according to Jarkka in any case, definitely got one of the most powerful voices on the planet, Rissanen is one of the very few musicians in Finland, who carries on the old Delta Blues/Gospel tradition with bottleneck style in the footprints of the great.
This year, 2006, is the first time these two Savo-Texans have gotten back together, after more than a 17 years of being involved in other musical ventures. But don’t you worry! They still pack a wallop!
And so the story goes on.
The next chapter of The Black Diamond Duo story is due out anyday now...
News again!
Be on the lookout for the first ever, Black Diamond Duo cd!
Coming in 2007 and produced by the Finnish legendary
producer/musician, Janne Haavisto!
Story's English
and Finnish text by:
Jarkka Rissanen
Lapinlahti Blues Association r.y. Finland
For International Festival & Concert Reservations:
Jarkka Rissanen:
e-mail: minna.kettunen@lapinlahdenasema.net
Mobile: +358.40 .523 9823
or: +358.17. 732 120
Christian-Charles de Plicque
Angel House International Association
e-mail: shalom.ahimma@pp.inet.fi
fax: +358.6.831 5358
Telephone: +358.6.831 5356
web site: www.deplicque.net
Angel House International r.f.
Finland, naturally so!
©2007. Christian-Charles de Plicque and Angel House International
r.f, All Rights Reserved
Lapinlahden kaupungin akustisen ja sähköisen kitaran virtuoosi Jarkka Rissanen ja Kokkolasta tuleva "Risto-Kalle"/"Crille" tai Christian-Charles de Plicque ovat jälleen yhdessä yli 20 vuoden erillisten esiintymisten ja musiikillisten seikkailujen jälkeen. Nyt he ovat elvyttäneet tämän ikiaikaisen sielukkaan akustisen musiikin ja palanneet vihdoinkin takaisin "juurille".
"Risto-Kalle" on esiintynyt monia kertoja Kaamos Jazzissa, Imatra jazzissa, April Jazzissa, jne... eri muusikoiden kanssa alkaen 1980-luvun alkupuolelta mm.
Kuinka "The Black Diamond Duo!" muodostui? Se on hyvin yksinkertaista: mustan miehen vahva ja sielukas ääni, jota säestää vain valkoisen suomalaisen veljen (jolla on hyvin sielukas sydän) soittama vanha teräskuorinen National Steel kitara täydennettynä muutamilla muilla akustisilla ja sähköisillä kitaroilla...värin lisäämiseksi!
The Black Diamond alkoi kun nämä kaksi kaverusta istuivat Jarin asunnolla 80-luvun alkupuolella... Jarkka otti National Steelsa ja alkoi säestää Christian-Charlesia joka hyräili vanhaa Negro Spiritualia sillä hetkellä...
Kun aikaa kului ihmiset alkoivat pyytää heitä esittämään lisää samanlaista materiaalia, mutta konserttimuodossa; tiedättehän tuota vanhaa Missisippi/Texas Gospel/Blues tyyliä, peruskamaa...
Saatte kuulla kaikkia vanhoja blues/Gospel mestareita: Sonhouse, Robert Johnson, Bukka White, mixattuna kauniilla maistiaisella hehkuvaa Mustaa Gospelia: (Mahalia, Sister Rosetta Thorpe, The Fabulous Caravans, ....) ja lisänä lusikallinen rhythm & bluesia joka saa sukat pyörimään jaloissanne!
Kuten kaikkia Mustia Timantteja, tätäkin hiotaan jatkuvasti kohti täydellisyyttä...mutta se aikoo säteillä vieläkin kirkkaammin tulevina vuosina sen vanhetessa. Rissanen on yksi harvoja muusikoita Suomessa joka jatkaa vanhaa Delta Blues/Gospel traditiota bottleneck-tyylin soitolla suurten esikuvien jalanjäljissä.
Angel House International r.y.
Kokkola
2006
Gospel Music in Italy Today!
Gospel music in Italy? It’s a match made in…well….Heaven.
2004
"Fishin' Blues" (mp3, 5.27 Mb)
Nice story! with Jarkka Rissanen on National Steel Guitar, Pepe Ahlqvist on Harp. 1994. and
Linin' Track! An old slave work song
Christian-Charles de Plicque in duet with Finland's one and only famed Bluesman and recording artist: Pepe Ahlqvist and Jarkka Rissanen on National Steel guitars
From the acoustic cd: "Good Act!" Fazer Records, Finland. more on the mp3 downloads page.
2006
more studio photos from the upcoming CD "Spirit In The Dark!"
2006
& The 12- Piece Dynamite Band! Musical Director:
Mikael Svarvar. more details
2006
Upcoming International Gospel Festival and Workshop this summer in Italy
including interview of Christian-Charles de Plicque
2006
Midsommar Festival in Jakobstad (Pörkenäs)
de Plicque & 12 piece Dynamite Band!
June 24, 2006
2006
Gospel Grammy Celebration!!
As part of this year's Grammy Award celebration, the Recording Academy will pay special tribute to Shirley Caesar, Billy Ray Hearn and Richard Smallwood at the Grammy Salute to Gospel Music on Feb. 4 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
On hand participating will be past Grammy winners Andy Griffith, and Smokie Norful, with performances by Kim Burrell, Jonathan Butler, Andraé Crouch, Edwin Hawkins, Walter Hawkins and Kirk Whalum.
Watch the Grammys, "Live!" on Star TV, February 8th in Finland.
2006
A Tribute to Coretta Scott King
Widow of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, called: 'matriarch of the movement'
Born on an Alabama truck farm, Coretta Scott graduated as Valedictorian of her high school class and attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. She received a B.A. in music and education determination and intelligence won her scholarships to that College and to the New England Conservatory of Music, where she dreamed of becoming an opera singer. She got a degree in voice and violin.
While studying music, she met a theology student from Atlanta, Martin Luther King Jr., who was pursuing a Doctorate at Boston University. Her future changed dramatically then. They married on June 18, 1953, in her hometown of Marion. As the young pastor began his civil rights work in Montgomery, Alabama, Coretta Scott King worked closely with him, organizing marches and sit-ins at segregated restaurants while raising their four children: Yolanda Denise, Martin Luther III, Dexter Scott and Bernice Albertine.
Mrs. King performed in "Freedom Concerts," singing and reading poetry to raise money for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the organization which Dr. King led as its first president.
The family endured the beating, stabbing and jailing of the civil rights leader, and their house was bombed. When James Earl Ray killed her husband in Memphis in 1968, just prior to a planned march, Mrs. King organized his funeral, then went to Memphis and finished the march,
the Rev. Jesse Jackson said Tuesday. She was a staunch freedom fighter
, he added.
(With President Bush)
While King was adjusting to the life of a minister's wife, she came to share his dream of racial justice in America. Within a year, she joined her husband in leading the Montgomery bus boycott and the growing civil rights movement. The Kings grew into a loving family with four children, and in 1965, Coretta shared in the afterglow of her husband's receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Three years later in 1968, tragedy struck when Dr. King was assassinated. Believing in his dream, Mrs. King established the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Social Change in Atlanta. She continued to speak out on behalf of racial justice and non-violent solutions to social problems.
Coretta Scott King, died Monday night in Baja California, Mexico, her sister told to the Press. Mrs. King, 78, suffered a stroke and a mild heart attack last August. As part of her rehabilitation, she was receiving further medical treatment at Hospital Santa Monica, a holistic health center, when she died, her sister Edythe Scott Bagley .
President Bush and the first lady were deeply saddened
to hear about Mrs. King's death, White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters Tuesday.
Mrs. King was a remarkable and courageous woman and a great civil rights leader,
the President said in a statement.
Laura and I were fortunate to have known Mrs. King, and we will always treasure the time we spent with her,
Bush said. We send our condolences and prayers to the entire King family.
This is a very sad hour,
U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a Democrat from Georgia, said on Tuesday.
(At the funeral of Martin Luther King)
She was the glue. Long before she met and married Martin Luther King Jr. she was an activist. She would always admonish us that ... one of the ways you bring about change is, you must change yourself so that you're prepared to lead people in the direction they should go. If your emotions are as bad as those you're fighting, even if your cause is just, you disqualify yourself from being effective,
the Rev. Al Sharpton on Tuesday.
(Coretta with Dr. King marching)
Tuesday, the flag at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, which Mrs. King founded in Atlanta as a memorial to her husband's work and dream after his assassination, was flying at half-staff. Mourners stopped at the center to pay their respects, many of them visibly upset. Some carried flowers.
We appreciate the prayers and condolences from people across the country,
her family said in a statement. Funeral arrangements will be announced once plans are finalized, the statement said. Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has ordered flags at all state buildings to be flown at half-staff until Mrs. King's funeral. He also has offered to have her body lie in state at the capitol building rotunda in Atlanta.
Mrs. King's last public appearance came January 14 at a Salute to Greatness dinner as part of the Martin Luther King Day celebrations in Atlanta. She received a standing ovation and, supported on the arms of her children, waved to the crowd. She did not speak at the event and was in a wheelchair. It had been more than 20 years since she oversaw the first legal holiday in honor of her husband, a holiday that has come to be celebrated in some form in over 100 countries, according to her biography on The King Center Web site.
'She stood for peace'
(Mrs. King with her four children)
(With Dr. King and their children)
Mrs. King turned her grief into the nurturing of her husband's legacy. The year her husband was killed, she established The King Center. A year later, she published her memoir, My Life with Martin Luther King, Jr.
She spoke out on behalf of racial and economic justice, women's and children's rights, religious freedom, the needs of the poor and homeless, full employment, health care, educational opportunities, nuclear disarmament and ecological sanity,
according to her biography.
Mrs. King and three of her children were even arrested in 1985 while protesting apartheid at the South African embassy in Washington, according to her official biography. I believe what Coretta Scott King would want us to do is continue this march toward progress when it comes to disability rights, women's rights, civil rights -- and not retreat from it,
said Sen. Ted Kennedy, a Democrat from Massachusetts.
She wore her grief with dignity,
said the Rev. Joseph Lowery, who worked on civil rights with Dr. King in the 1950's. She moved quietly but forcefully into the fray. She stood for peace in the midst of turmoil.
And I myself might add, what a legacy. Amen.
Christian-Charles de Plicque, journalist Österbottningen Tidning
Angel House International Missions Ministries
February 2006
article also available in French and Swedish
2005
The International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum
2005
Jakobstads tidning (Jakobstads Daily Newspaper) Inside 2 page interview, with photos. www.jakobstadstidning.fi
2005
Vi, tar allt för givet
(Hope, Faith, Charity)
English version of my Finnish Swedish- language column: "In My Opinion"... in our newspaper
2005
more band Photo Galleria...!
2005
A new book by Mikela Lundahl.
She and I were interviewed on the subject below on the Finnish Swedish language: Radio Extrem "Pannrummet "=The Boiler Room) not long ago. There is a copy of that hour long interview if you are interested.
Her book is selling like hotcakes! Powerful reading. "Nigger... What Is A Nigger?" (translation of the Swedish title). Pictured above is the front and back covers of the book.
Christian-Charles de Plicque
Angel House International Missions Ministries
2005
latest articles
CHRISTMAS!! - AFRICAN style! , Happy New Year!
2005
Break, Breaking, Broken News! The Dynamite Band! in the studio...
Some news about de Plicque's upcoming first solo studio cd since 1989 of new material.
2005
Vad är en neger? What Is A Nigger?
The two shows last week motivated many to call in, to write to both the shows' dj Sebastian, Mikaela the woman whose book is selling like hotcakes in Sweden on the subject, along with myself, are getting e-mails about the program.
Eventually the book "Vad är en neger?", will be sold here in Finland too and the other Nordic countries.
Mikaela would have send me a copy long ago, but it has sold out already in Sweden and is being reprinted at present.. Looking forward to reading it. She has been an interesting person to e-mail with over the past weeks. Her part of the interview was deep, to the point and left no stones unturned as she spoke about the history of blacks, particularly in France, Africa and in Sweden.
It has obviously stirred up a lot of emotions in this part of the world, this word: Nigger; the subject of Racism in Finland Today...
My time with Sebastian when he came to my home, was probably the first time in all the decades of my living in Finland, that someone has really interviewed me on my thoughts and experiences with this word and the problems dark skinned foreigners face in Finland today. I myself, as you have read over the years, written on the subject of Racism In Finland for various newspapers and magazines, but never been asked my viewpoints until now...
These days, there are more and more inter-racial marriages here and so, there are children from these marriages, that ARE born and raised here, but still, because of their skin color, they are "assumed" by many, to be refugees or foreigners. They too are called, sadly, by a few ignorant people, all kinds of names and attacked as well...
Some foreigners are still told to: "Go back to Africa where you came from" and so on. One guy told me that, and I sort of laughed, considering I was born and raised in Dallas Texas.... I have been told many times that and have been told that I am "stealing money from the finnish government" (because I am a foreigner)...
To me that is an insult, because for many decades I have worked hard here as any other man, paid taxes and do my best to contribute to the finnish society. And still...
One day I was walking alone, minding my own business, when one man seemed a bit angry with me because, as he screamed from the other side of the street pointing his finger at me: "You are stealing the finnish women, you nigger bums..." I told him that you cannot "steal" people. If a woman or a man wants to go with someone, that is their perogative. I think he himself had low self esteem. Besides, it is always easier, it seems to blame others, than to look in the mirror at ourselves isn't it?
Not even those in the church have ever asked me about these racism in the now over 20 years I have worked here? , They read and see all that is happening in the News, the Media in general, yet still say nothing?
I thought that my days of growing up in segregation and eventually intergration, having to deal with the KKK and other racist groups and being called everything but a child of God were long gone back in the south in Texas in the 60's... But the devil is still at work. Fool that he is, he will not give up, even though he knows that the victory is lost...
Inspite of all this negativity, I have hope and faith in people to do the right thing. Some, no matter what we say to them, refuse to change and that is a pity for them. Truly it can be said that we cannot judge a book, by the cover.
In any case, I am happy to report, that those that I am blessed to know, to have worked with over the years, and those that I love here, treat me simply as an equal, as a friend... and all I hope they see at the end of the day, are traces of Christ in my life and work.... I thank God for my good finnish friends and collaborators and you know who you are.
The interview will soon be available on cd. So come by sometimes if you were not able to hear it and still might be interested.
Warm Fall Greetings from Karleby!
"Risto-Kalle" (Christian-Charles)This show was called: "pannrummet": ("The Boiler Room).
Finlands National Swedish language:
Radio X3M
According to the Swedish dictionary Nordstedst
the swedish word:
"Neger"
is translated:
blackie, darkey, nigger...
Aired the 7th & 9th October 2005
Program leader: Sebastian Bergholm, from the city of Vasa.
Interviews with
author/professormikela lundahl
institutionen för idéhistoria och vetenskapsteori göteborgs universitet (Gothenburg's Univesity Sweden)
& missionary/journalist/Evangelist Christian-Charles de Plicque
2005
"Vad en en neger?"
Österbottnings' tidnings article (in Swedish)
2005
Radio X3M! 9th October 2005: Pannrummet: ("The Boiler Room") Presents: "Vad en en neger?"
This show is called: "pannrummet": ("The Boiler Room). Finland's National Swedish language: Radio X3M
According to the Swedish dictionary Nordstedst the swedish word: "Neger" is translated: black, Negro, blackie, darkey, nigger...
It airs the 9th Oktober sunday: kl. 20 (8 p.m.).
Program leader: Sebastian Bergholm, from the city of Vasa.
Sebastian called a few weeks ago, and asked he he could drive up to Karleby to interview me about this subject of Racism In Finland. He has read over the years, in Österbottnings' tidnings (Newspapers), the articles I have written and thought after one of my latest articles concerning continued attacks on dark skinned foreigners in Karleby, that it might be good to do an interview. I have to listen too, because editing is everything and it can make the interview positive or negative. Either way it is done!
Christian-Charles2005
Acoustic Black Gospel! Happy Blues! & Spirituals!
Kuopio/Lapinlahti's Blues/Gospel virtuoso, guitarist Jarkka Rissanen and Karleby's power-packed evangelist/vocalist Christian-Charles"Risto-Kalle" de Plicque are recording their long overdue first cd with the acoustic sounds of: "The Black Diamond Duo". The dynamic artists have been performing together and touring internationally for 20 years now..
The duo is in the studio at present. The multi-talented Rissanen, who is the producer for this project, is adding his great guitar sounds of National Steel, Slide, acoustic and electric guitars. Naturally some special surprises will be on the production!
Should make for interesting listening...
Christian-Charles de Plicque
&
Jarkka Rissanen
Name of cd:
'Lectric Slide`n Gospel!
Be on the lookout for it!
For more info and cd release date go to:
www.deplicque.net
Lapinlahden Blues&Folk r.y.
Angel House International r.f.
2005
"THE" BOOK!
THE ESSENTIAL STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN by: Craig Lee Hopkins of Dallas Texas
larger version of book cover
larger version of contents page
While I live, While I breathe... upcoming tour
full size poster in pdf format
Concert/Festival Booking:
Ta kontakt:
Angel House International r.f.
Karleby
fax: +358.6.831 5358
e-mail: shalom.ahimma@pp.inet.fi
2005
New article
Man's Inhumanity To Man? :Katrina & Rit
2005
"Eitta
Leikasi!!"
"Live To Play!!"
Att medverka i ett lekfullt drama, "Eitta Leikasi" är en uppgift som vid första bekantskapen verkar lika främmande för oss som deltagande i "Levase ll".
A good friend of mine, Kronoby Village Church Cantor Kristina Klingenberg, who lives in Karleby, wrote this musical, along with the help of others.
A rough translation of the short title is something like this:
Even as we age, and grow older, even if we
are retired from life's work, we still need to play, to relax and not
just dream about how it was, to have played, when we were "younger"...
That
even as we grow older, we still can take part of being naturally playful.
To play, as we get older, just takes on different forms such as singing
in a choir, crossword puzzles, games, sports, walking for exercise,
being involved in various associations, etc....
This playfulness in this music drama, goes through the phases of childhood, the teenage years, the adult years and the "golden years" of our lives...
That if we feel empty in our older and in our" golden years of life", that still, there are many things in this world that we can do, to be "playful", and to fill that void in our lives as we grow older in God. God NEVER runs out of ideas if we are listening to Him!
Christian-Charles de Plicque
larger versions of dvd cover: front | back (or click on the images)
2005
Back in the studio for the solo cd recording continuation: 15th September..
The Black Diamond Duo acoustic cd recording continues in October.
14 September 2005 New article: Wounded Soldier
06 September 2005 Gospel Music Lovers! Kato! Titta! Look!
Journalist, from the city of Jyväskylä, Janne Könönen, releases a new book about Gospel Music in Finland. It comes out: the 5th September for the price of 33 euros. (SlS Helsinki).
"Kahden maan kansalaiset, Suomi-gospelin historiaa" kommer ut den 5 september och kostar 33 euro. (SLS Helsingfors).
Kahden maan kansalaiset is a name of the song, and it means: "to live here on earth and to be the Holy Lands' citizen." (Heavens' Citizens)
03 September 2005 State(s) Of Emergency!
01 September 2005 New Öb article: Racial attacks continue ...in Karleby (Kokkola)
31 August 2005 New article: How Sweet The Sound!
31 August 2005 New article: Should A Christian Celebrate Birthdays?
21 August 2005 Jarkka Rissanen and Christian-Charles de Plicque "The Black Diamond Duo!" in the studio recording with first acoustic cd!
17 August 2005 even more photos added to the 60's,70's photo gallery
14 August 2005 In Performance now!
click image for larger version
Come join us in the town of Kronoby! The Musical Drama
written by: Kristina Klingenberg. Directed
by: Helena Tornberg:
Music by: Martin Näse;
Songs by: Martin Näse, Kristina Klingenberg, Robert Näse.
Lyrics by Klingenberg, Christian-Charles de Plicque, Birgit Collander,
Bo Gripenberg.
Sound by: Börje Nylund... the Musical Drama: "Eitta
Leikasi!" Dvd coming soon!
13 August 2005 "The Black Diamond
Duo!"
"Musta Timantti Duo!"
Huom.!
Uusi cd levy tulee pian!
outside the studio
Lapinlahden kaupungin akustisen ja sähköisen kitaran virtuoosi Jarkka Rissanen ja Kokkolasta tuleva "Risto-Kalle" tai Christian-Charles de Plicque ovat jälleen yhdessä yli 19 vuoden erillisten esiintymisten ja musiikillisten seikkailujen jälkeen. Nyt he ovat elvyttäneet tämän ikiaikaisen sielukkaan akustisen musiikin ja palanneet vihdoinkin takaisin "juurille".
"Risto-Kalle" on esiintynyt monia kertoja Kaamos Jazzissa, Imatra jazzissa, April Jazzissa, jne... eri muusikoiden kanssa alkaen 1980-luvun alkupuolelta mm.
Kuinka "The Black Diamond Duo!" muodostui? Se on hyvin yksinkertaista: mustan miehen vahva ja sielukas ääni, jota säestää vain valkoisen suomalaisen veljen (jolla on hyvin sielukas sydän) soittama vanha teräskuorinen National Steel kitara täydennettynä muutamilla muilla akustisilla ja sähköisillä kitaroilla...värin lisäämiseksi!
The Black Diamond alkoi kun nämä kaksi kaverusta istuivat Jarin asunnolla 80-luvun alkupuolella... Jarkka otti National Steelsa ja alkoi säestää Christian-Charlesia joka hyräili vanhaa Negro Spiritualia sillä hetkellä...
Kun aikaa kului ihmiset alkoivat pyytää heitä esittämään lisää samanlaista materiaalia, mutta konserttimuodossa; tiedättehän tuota vanhaa Missisippi/Texas Gospel/Blues tyyliä, peruskamaa...
Saatte kuulla kaikkia vanhoja blues/Gospel mestareita: Sonhouse, Robert Johnson, Bukka White, mixattuna kauniilla maistiaisella hehkuvaa Mustaa Gospelia: (Mahalia, Sister Rosetta Thorpe, The Fabulous Caravans, ....) ja lisänä lusikallinen rhythm & bluesia joka saa sukat pyörimään jaloissanne!
Kuten kaikkia Mustia Timantteja, tätäkin hiotaan jatkuvasti kohti täydellisyyttä...mutta se aikoo säteillä vieläkin kirkkaammin tulevina vuosina sen vanhetessa. Rissanen on yksi harvoja muusikoita Suomessa joka jatkaa vanhaa Delta Blues/Gospel traditiota bottleneck-tyylin soitolla suurten esikuvien jalanjäljissä.
Angel House International r.y.
Kokkola
Christian-Charles ("Risto-Kalle") de Plicque:
www.deplicque.net
sähköposti: shalom.ahimma@pp.inet.fi
Fax: 06 831 5358
Jarkka Rissanen: 040 523 9823
Puh.: 017 732 120
sähköposti: minna.kettunen@lapinlahdenasema.net
13 August 2005 new article: Bart
Simpson In Hell!?
13 August 2005 News: The new solo cd! In the studio to begin recording 28th August.
13 August 2005 25th August: celebrating 57 years on earth!
13 August 2005 new article: Glad födelsedagen! (Happy Birthday)
6 August 2005 link added - http://awmi.net/ Andrew Wommack Ministries
6 August 2005 Photos from the 60's and 70's: Blackbird Band!
First Blackbird Band Publicity Photo circa 1966!
more photos in the new Photo Galleria
August 2005 Countdown August 6th-7th
You
are welcome to join the Countdown event that launches the More
Than Gold outreach on Saturday and Sunday August
6th – 7th. The Countdown is held at the Andreas
church, which is located in the centre of Helsinki.
http://www.evankelioi.net/mmaktio/
6 July 2005 New Article... "May I Have Some Sweet Snow Please?" (The History Of Ice Cream)
5 June 2005 While I live, While I breathe... upcoming tour
full
size poster in pdf format
Concert/Festival Booking:
Ta kontakt:
Angel House International r.f.
Karleby
fax: +358.6.831 5358
e-mail: shalom.ahimma@pp.inet.fi
14 June 2005 The weather in Texas is HOT most of the year!
Usually
in Spring, it can be around 35 Celsius in the shade... And it is
well over 45 Celsius in summer....
YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN TEXAS IN JULY WHEN. . . .
The birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the
ground.
The trees are whistling for the dogs.
The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
Hot water now comes out of both taps.
You can make sun tea instantly.
You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron!
The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly.
You discover that in July it only takes 2 fingers to
steer your car.
You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.
You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30
a.m.
Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out
and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"
You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull
one out and add butter, salt and pepper.
Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying
boiled eggs.
The cows are giving evaporated milk.
Ah, what a place to call home.
God Bless Our State of TEXAS !!
Note: If you are not a resident of TEXAS or never have lived in the hot, humid Southwest, you may not understand the weight of this blessing!
Bless this house, oh Lord, we cry.
Please keep it cool in mid-July.
Bless the walls where termites dine,
While ants and roaches march in time.
Bless our yard where spiders pass
Fire ant castles in the grass.
Bless the garage, a home to please
Carpenter beetles, ticks and fleas.
Bless the love bugs, two by two,
the gnats and mosquitoes that feed on you.
Millions of creatures that fly or crawl,
in TEXAS, Lord, You've put them all!!
But this is home, and here we'll stay,
So thank you Lord, for insect spray
14 May, 2005 photos from the Lapland Concert, 30th April 2005
14 May, 2005 
Kyrkpressen:
DVD Review:Mångsidigt om svart
gospel
10 May 2005 The Dynamite Band! Benefit Concert for Russian Homeless and Street Children: (Torneå) Lapland April 30, 2005
Top photo: on stage at the concert hall. Bottom
photo: drummer Tuukka Aitoaho; Musical Director.. Background
vocalist & keyboardist: Mikael Svarvar, Bassist & background
vocalist Stefan Lindblom;background vocalist; guitarist: Roland
Junell
Lördag 2 april 2005
Blues och Gospel på Chess
Vänner av gamla blues- och gospelklassiker och rhythm and blues får sitt lystmäte onsdagen den 6 april.
Då uppträder Jarkka Risanen (gitarr) och Christian-Charles de Plicque på musikbaren Chess I Karleby.
Duons musikliska samarbete har nyligen återupplivats efter en paus på 17 år. Deras projekt The Black Diamond Duo fick sin borjän av 80-talet. En svart mans starka och själfulla röst ackompanjeras av en finsk broder som trakterar en gammal Dobro-gitarr.
På onsdagsrepertoaren finns låtar av Sonhouse, Robert Jonhson, Bukka White, Mahalia, Rosetta Thorpe, The Fabulous Caravans med mera. (JS).
20 March 2005 Angel House International DVD video Review - English Version
"The Story Of Gospel Music: The Power In The Voice!"
Produced by: The BBC England. Warner Brothers | 90 minutes |
4:3 Stereo. read the review in the video
section.
"Songs
of Mahalia Jackson Tour"
Fall/winter 2005-2006 :: De Plicque & the
Truth Ensemble "Songs of Mahalia Jackson Tour" Mikael
Svarvar as musical director. 
Suomeksi På Svenska
March 2005
Hello everybody!
New Open Door for Music Ministry in Finland
This week I was asked to be a contributing journalist for the National Finnish, Swedish-language Evangelical Lutheran Church's, Weekly Newspaper Kyrkpressen= (The Church Press).
I will be writing for them, on a regular basis, specializing in: Black Gospel....and not so Black Gospel! (Smile!) In addition to this, I will be doing interviews with artists here in Finland and abroad.
We want people to know more about the Gospel, all the alternatives and styles in christian music, dvd's books, etc. for youth and the young-at-heart!
My first interview coming up in the paper is my old pianist, Stefan Jansson. He is very well known in this area of the country and other finnish Swedish-speaking cities here.
But we have to encourage, even more so those of us here in Finland in Gospel music. and the Christian Arts in general.... We are so few that do this particular area of outreach, for fulltime ministry.
I continue now, for over 8 years, as freelance Christian journalist for our Finnish Swedish language newspaper: Österbottningen Tidning.
Thank you so much for your encouragement. It means more than you
know.
Christian-Charles de Plicque
Angel House International Missions Ministries Association
Finland
www.kyrkpressen.fi
www.radiodei.fi (Fat City! Black Gospel Radio)
www.deplicque.net (Angel House International Missions Ministries r.f.)
21 February 2005
SUNDAY OF THE PASSION
(Palm Sunday)
Palmsöndagen (Swedish)
Les Rameaux (French)
Palmusunnuntai (Finnish)
In the novel: "The Plague", Albert Camus tells the story of a modern French town ravaged by the effects of pneumonic plague. As the novel concludes, Dr. Bernard Rieux looks out over the town which has finally been liberated from its devastation.
"Hearing the shouts of joy that rose up from the town, [he] became aware that joy was always in jeopardy. For he knew what the delirious crowd did not know, and what one could learn by study, that the bacillus of the plague never dies and never disappears, that it can remain for decades slumbering in furniture, and in bed-linen, that it waits patiently in bedrooms, in cellars, in luggage, in handkerchiefs and waste-paper, and that, perhaps, the day would come when, for the affliction and instruction of human kind, the plague would awaken its rats and send them out to die in a happy city."
In Camus' words: I hear a truth that I do not want to know. The Truth that in the midst of joy and happiness the seeds of pain, the seeds of evil- lie dormant-waiting to be awakened, to bloom into a devastating flower that can destroy life. Even the two names given by the Church to today's worship reflect this truth.
Today is Palm Sunday and today is Passion Sunday. We enter the worship with cries of joy: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in Heaven, and glory in the highest Heaven!" as Jesus- riding on a colt - triumphantly enters Jerusalem. Cloaks are strewn in Jesus' path. Branches of palms are waved. Shouts, Praise, Joy.
But remember- this is Jerusalem- the city that kills the prophets.
And before we are comfortably settled into our pews, we are forcefully jerked to another scene-and to other shouts!
"Crucify! Crucify Him!" And these voices prevail!
And so the bacillus of the plague the bacillus of evil - has not died, has not disappeared. It has slumbered. It has waited patiently. And the day has come when the plague of evil awakens its rats and sends them out not to die, but to kill the Son of God.
The voices that shout, "Crucify Him", are the same voices that shouted, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord."
And the truth that strikes most profoundly, and most sickeningly in our hearts, is that those voices are ours.
It is easy to serve God sometimes. Within the walls of the church or of the safety of our lives we welcome God. We praise God. Why, we even LOVE God!
But when these walls of safety are breached - when we are threatened - when we are forced to make a public choice, our tongues are tethered. And our faith becomes a constricting lump in our throats - a bitter bile in our mouths. By our actions and by our words, we begin weakly to say: "Crucify, crucify Him" - Until our ears clang with the shouts of our disobedience and insubordination.
And when we see the spectacle of Jesus' death we return home, beating our breasts.
So today's worship on this Palm Sunday, Passion Sunday is the
story of our lives-
our faith-
our love-
our doubts-
our betrayal of Christ.
But, by Grace, our worship does not end here.
The Word tells us about God. About God who loves us. About God who accepts us.
About God who invites us to a feast- a feast at His table. A feast that invites us to repentance and renewal, to solace and to strength.
By God's Grace, we experience joy and hope.
We worship God, and we will grow more and more into the likeness of Christ.
AMEN!!!
Christian-Charles Milton de Plicque,Angel House International Missions Ministries r.f. (Association)
Karleby Finland
(Article also available in French & Swedish)
7 February 2005
A Blast from the Past! from Finland's MTV April Jazz Espoo Festival 1987
"God Bless The Child" mp3, 9Mb
Just
looking back at all God has allowed me to do. "It's been a
trip", as we used to say back in the '60's! :-)
Please try to overlook the sound distortion from analog tv back in those days. This was recorded direct from tv.
I had flown in to Helsinki, the day before, from home in Paris.
I didn't know these other musicians, only Max, who had been my
pianist for a number of years before. But he said 
he'd
put together a band for me. He was the pianist for the Espoo Big
Band at the time, and that is how I get to present the gospel,
at this annual jazz festival.
We opened for great jazz drummer (and super nice guy) Elvin Jones Jazz Machine and Jazz Diva, Miss Diane Schuur.
This was my first time on secular Finnish tv, presenting the Good News for one and a half hours.
We were presented as: The Christian-Charles de Plicque Quintet (cool eh?! ;-) )
The
Musicians:
- Anssi Nykänen, drums
- Jarkka Rissanen, guitar
- Markku "Max" Tabell, Steinway grand and Hammond B-3
- Heikki Keskinen, Saxophone
- Harri Merilahti, Bass
2004
11 December 2004
New article:
Peace On Earth?/ Frid på jorden? / La paix sur terre?
7 December 2004
DVD!
At last it has arrived this December!
The Annual Song of songs Festival in Torun, POLAND
- Christian-Charles de Plicque, solist with the great Polish "Black Gospel" Choir: TGD!
- Spear Hit, reggae gospel from France
- Mietek! Poland's powerful and soulful gospel singer!
- Mate O.
and so many others!
June 2004. Produced by Polands' Channel TV2
1 December 2004
New
Lapland Black Diamond Duo Photo Galleria
6 November 2004
More Photo Galleria from the International Polish Song of Songs Gospel Festival June 2004, Polish TV2
6 November 2004
Saariselkä's Evangelical Lutheran Chapel (Lapland)
In the Lapland Chapel!
jazz/blues/
BLACK GOSPEL!
"The Black Diamond Duo!"
http://tankavaara.net/kaamosjazz/
www.deplicque.net
Lapinlahti City's Acoustic and electric guitar Virtuoso Jari Rissanen and (Karleby resident "Risto-Kalle"/Crille or simply.... Christian-Charles de Plicque, have re-united, after over 17 years of performing separately, in other musical endeavors. Now they have revived this age old soulful acoustic music, and have gone "back to the roots" at last.
de PLicque shall give 2 concerts in the Lapland Chapel and 3 others on the Main Festival stage on the 26th, 27th and 28th November. He returns to Kaamos Jazz in the reindeer/dog sleigh village of Saareselkä, after 4 years of being away.
"Risto-Kalle" eller: "Crille" has performed many times at Kaamos Jazz since the early 1980's with various musicians, keyboardists Stefan Jansson & renowned musical arranger/composer Mikael Svarvar, Finnish famed jazz guitarist Mathias Sandberg.... from the Österbotten area of the country, but this is the first time that he goes there, with his longtime friend, Jari Rissanen.
How "The Black Diamond Duo!" was formed?
This is very simple: a black man’s strong and soulful voice, accompanied only by a white finnish brother (with a very soulful heart), strumming an old National steelbodied Dobro guitar, along with a few other acoustic and electric guitars... for colorful ambiance!
The Black Diamond came together when these two guys were sitting together in Jari’s apartment back in the early '80's.. Jari picked up his Dobro and began to accompany Christian-Charles on an old Negro Spiritual he was humming at the time... As time passed, people began to ask them to do more of the same kind of stuff, but in concert format,: you know, that old Mississippi/Texas Gospel/Blues style, down-to-the-bone thang...
You’ll hear all the old blues/Gospel masters: Sonhouse, Robert Johnson, Bukka White, while mixed with a beautiful taste of steaming Black Gospel: (Mahalia, Sister Rosetta Thorpe, The Fabulous Caravans, ....) and steady heaping spoonfuls of rhythm & blues to knock your socks off!
Like all Black Diamonds, this one is ever being polished to perfection...but it plans to shine even more brilliantly in the years to come, as it ages. Rissanen is one of the very few musicians in Finland, who carries on the old Delta Blues/Gospel tradition with bottleneck style in the footprints of the greats.
Lippujen myynti alkaa.
Tankavaaran lippupalvelusta voi varata lippuja kaikkiin konsertteihin.
Puh 016-626 158
Fax 016-626 261
"The Black Diamond Duo!"
"Musta Timantti Duo!"
Lapinlahden kaupungin akustisen ja sähköisen kitaran virtuoosi Jari Rissanen ja Kokkolasta tuleva "Risto-Kalle"/Crille tai Christian-Charles de Plicqueovat jälleen yhdessä yli 18 vuoden erillisten esiintymisten ja musiikillisten seikkailujen jälkeen. Nyt he ovat elvyttäneet tämän ikiaikaisen sielukkaan akustisen musiikin ja palanneet vihdoinkin takaisin "juurille".
"Risto-Kalle" tai "Crille" on esiintynyt monia kertoja Kaamos Jazzissa, Imatra jazzissa, April Jazzissa, jne... eri muusikoiden kanssa alkaen 1980-luvun alkupuolelta mm.
Kuinka "The Black Diamond Duo!" muodostui? Se on hyvin yksinkertaista: mustan miehen vahva ja sielukas ääni, jota säestää vain valkoisen suomalaisen veljen (jolla on hyvin sielukas sydän) soittama vanha teräskuorinen National Steel kitara täydennettynä muutamilla muilla akustisilla ja sähköisillä kitaroilla...värin lisäämiseksi!
The Black Diamond alkoi kun nämä kaksi kaverusta istuivat Jarin asunnolla 80-luvun alkupuolella... Jari otti Dobronsa ja alkoi säestää Christian-Charlesia joka hyräili vanhaa Negro Spiritualia sillä hetkellä...
Kun aikaa kului ihmiset alkoivat pyytää heitä esittämään lisää samanlaista materiaalia, mutta konserttimuodossa; tiedättehän tuota vanhaa Missisippi/Texas Gospel/Blues tyyliä, peruskamaa...
Saatte kuulla kaikkia vanhoja blues/Gospel mestareita: Sonhouse, Robert Johnson, Bukka White, mixattuna kauniilla maistiaisella hehkuvaa Mustaa Gospelia: (Mahalia, Sister Rosetta Thorpe, The Fabulous Caravans, ....) ja lisänä lusikallinen rhythm & bluesia joka saa sukat pyörimään jaloissanne!
Kuten kaikkia Mustia Timantteja, tätäkin hiotaan jatkuvasti kohti täydellisyyttä...mutta se aikoo säteillä vieläkin kirkkaammin tulevina vuosina sen vanhetessa. Rissanen on yksi harvoja muusikoita Suomessa joka jatkaa vanhaa Delta Blues/Gospel traditiota bottleneck-tyylin soitolla suurten esikuvien jalanjäljissä.
Angel House International r.y.
Kokkola
www.deplicque.net
Kappeli
Kaamos Jazz Festival 2004
Saariselkä/Tankaavara
-jazzia/bluesia
MUSTAA GOSPELIA!
"The Black Diamond Duo!"
" Musta Timantti Duo!"
http://tankavaara.net/kaamosjazz/
www.deplicque.net
Lapinlahden kaupungin akustisen ja sähköisen kitaran virtuoosi Jari Rissanen ja Kokkolasta tuleva "Risto-Kalle"/Crille tai Christian-Charles de Plicqueovat jälleen yhdessä yli 17 vuoden erillisten esiintymisten ja musiikillisten seikkailujen jälkeen. Nyt he ovat elvyttäneet tämän ikiaikaisen sielukkaan akustisen musiikin ja palanneet vihdoinkin takaisin "juurille".
de Plicquen odotetaan pitävän 2 konserttia kappelissa ja 3 muuta Festivaalin päälavalla, perjantaina 26., lauantaina 27 ja sunnuntaina 28. Hän osallistuu jälleen Kaamos Jazz tapahtumaan Saariselällä 4 vuoden tauon jälkeen.
"Risto-Kalle" tai "Crille" on esiintynyt monia kertoja Kaamos Jazzissa eri muusikoiden kanssa alkaen 1980-luvun alkupuolelta mm. Pohjanmaalta tulevien kosketinsoittajien Stefan Janssonin & Mikael Svarvarin ja jazz-kitaristi Mathias Sandbergin kanssa, mutta tämä on ensimmäinen kerta kun hän tulee sinne pitkäaikaisen säestäjänsä Jari Rissasen kanssa.
Kuinka "The Black Diamond Duo!" muodostui? Se on hyvin yksinkertaista: mustan miehen vahva ja sielukas ääni, jota säestää vain valkoisen suomalaisen veljen (jolla on hyvin sielukas sydän) soittama vanha teräskuorinen National Dobro kitara täydennettynä muutamilla muilla akustisilla ja sähköisillä kitaroilla...värin lisäämiseksi!
The Black Diamond alkoi kun nämä kaksi kaverusta istuivat Jarin asunnolla 80-luvun alkupuolella... Jari otti Dobronsa ja alkoi säestää Christian-Charlesia joka hyräili vanhaa Negro Spiritualia sillä hetkellä...
Kun aikaa kului ihmiset alkoivat pyytää heitä esittämään lisää samanlaista materiaalia, mutta konserttimuodossa; tiedättehän tuota vanhaa Missisippi/Texas Gospel/Blues tyyliä, peruskamaa...
Saatte kuulla kaikkia vanhoja blues/Gospel mestareita: Sonhouse, Robert Johnson, Bukka White, mixattuna kauniilla maistiaisella hehkuvaa Mustaa Gospelia: (Mahalia, Sister Rosetta Thorpe, The Fabulous Caravans, ....) ja lisänä lusikallinen rhythm & bluesia joka saa sukat pyörimään jaloissanne!
Kuten kaikkia Mustia Timantteja, tätäkin hiotaan jatkuvasti kohti täydellisyyttä...mutta se aikoo säteillä vieläkin kirkkaammin tulevina vuosina sen vanhetessa. Rissanen on yksi harvoja muusikoita Suomessa joka jatkaa vanhaa Delta Blues/Gospel traditiota bottleneck-tyylin soitolla suurten esikuvien jalanjäljissä.
Lippujen myynti alkaa.
Tankavaaran lippupalvelusta voi varata lippuja kaikkiin konsertteihin.
Puh 016-626 158 Fax 016-626 261
Angel House International r.f. Karleby Finland 2004
Kapellet
Kaamos Jazz Festival 2004
Saariselkä/Tankavaara
-jazz/blues
SVART GOSPEL!
The Black Diamond Duo!
Jari Rissanen och Christian-Charles de Plicque
http://tankavaara.net/kaamosjazz/
www.deplicque.net
Lapinlahti stads gitarr virtuous Jari Rissanen och Karlebybon Risto-Kalle/Crille eller Christian-Charles de Plicque har slått sig samman på nytt efter en period på 17 år med egna musikaliska äventyr. Nu har båda upplivat den gamla själfulla akustiska musiken och återvänt till "rötterna".
de Plicque väntas ge två konserter i kapellet och tre andra på huvud scenen fredagen 26, lördagen 27 och söndagen 28 november. Han kommer efter ett uppehåll på 4 år att åter delta i evenemanget Kaamos Jazz i Saariselkä.
Risto-Kalle elle Crille har uppträtt flera gånger vid Kaamos Jazz sedan tidiga 1980-talet tillsammans med olika artister, såsom keyboardisterna Stefan Jansson & Mikael Svarvar, jazz gitarristen Mathias Sandberg, alla från Österbotten. Det här är dock första gången Crille uppträder där med sin långtida ackompanjatör Jari Rissanen.
Hur grundades då "The Black Diamond Duo"? Väldigt enkelt: en svart mans starka och själfulla röst ackompanjerat endast av en finsk broder (med väldigt själfullt hjärta), lirande med en gammal National stålkroppad Dobro gitarr, plus några andra akustiska och elgitarrer..för en färgfull nyans!
The Black Diamond fick sin början när dessa två killar satt vid Jaris lägenhet i början på 80-talet. Jari plockade fram sin Dobro och ackompanjerade Christian-Charles gnolande en gammal Negro Spiritual..
Allt efter att tiden gick begärde folk dom uppträda med musik i samma stil, men i konsert format: ni vet den gamla Mississippi/Texas Gospel/Blues: "down-to-the-bone" stilen..
Ni kommer att höra alla gamla blues/gospel klassiker: Sonhouse, Robert Johnson, Bukka White, blandat med en vacker smakbit av svart gospel: (Mahalia, Rosetta Thorpe, The Fabulous Caravans..), dessutom kryddat med rhythm&blues som slår er med häpnad!
Liksom alla svarta diamanter, slipas även denna diamant till perfektion..men den kommer att skina ännu klarare dom kommande åren, allt efter den blir äldre. Rissanen är en av dom få musikerna i Finland som håller vid den gamla Blues/Gospel traditionen i bottleneck stil i fotspåren av förebilderna.
Biljettförsäljningen slutar snart.
Via Tankavaaras biljett tjänst kan ni boka biljetter till alla konserter.
Tel 016-626 158 Fax 016-626 261
Angel House International r.f. Karleby Finland 2004
10 October 2004
Latest recorded de Plicque composition:
"Flame!" (download the mp3 from the music section).
26 September 2004
Varför så tyst... om rasismen i Karleby?
Christian-Charles de Plicque: Debatt (Why Are We So Quiet in Karleby about Racism?)
- From his weekly column in Österbottningen tidning, Söndag (Sunday) 26 September 2004. Translation in French and English upon request
13 September 2004
I Have A Reason To Sing!
This reason being: Jesus Christ
21 April 2005
Translated
from the original Polish text (page
1 in Polish and page
2 in Polish)
for the June interview, during the Annual Song of Songs Festival,
for an upcoming winter season article in Poland's Ruah Christian
Music Magazine 2004.
The Reverend Christian-Charles de Plicque! Evangelist, composer, actor, journalist, missionary, an active brother, great gospel singer with a powerful voice. Many fans of blues in Europe and Scandinvian countries know him from working with such legendary stars as Janis Joplin, ZZ Top, the late great Texas guitarist, Stevie Ray Vaughan or albino blues singer/guitarist Johnny Winter..
His arrangements have roots in traditional Negro Spirituals, Black Gospel, R&B and soul. The real Source of his activity is faith in the True, One and Only God! Although he's almost 57 years old, he's not slowing down. C.C. continues to give concerts and is exuberant on stage with his enthusiasm and passion for his Lord.
I know were I'm going. That increased my faith. What is interesting, we never met personally, physically. I was never able to get to Krakow before he left us. We only had contact by telephone and e-mails all that time. Yet spiritually I felt that I knew him better than some folk I see everyday. This is the work of the Holy Spirit.M.C: So how did you both meet?Christian-Charles/"Lo-Bolek": I can remember that I found out about "The Amen band", when I was looking for a Polish Christian producer, who might be able to help me record a new cd. During those days I didn't know really anything about producers in Poland but I got "The Amen Band" cd from a friend.. I was captivated by Andrzej's compositions and arrangements and I decided to get in touch with him. I sent an e-mail to Andrzej and from that point, the Lord begin working in our lives... That was one of the most amazing relationships in my life; I have never established such a close bond, with anyone, in such a short period of time. It was so spiritual, on another level that I feel God wants all of us brothers and sister to be in Him. When Cudzich and I spoke on the phone, I felt like if we knew each other 50 years. Last year, ill as he was, he said he felt led to compose 3 songs for me, that eventually I hope to record someday. Many of my friends from Poland have had, and still have, a big influence on my life. I have a Polish "son".. well I call him that, as I have no children of my own... His name is Tomasz Wata and he and his sweet wife Anna live in Grudziadz. We are in contact several times a week, via e-mail, post and telephone. I really consider them to be family.M.C: What about artists that you have met during your early blues career back in the 1960's?Christian-Charles/"Lo-Bolek": During those years I have met many great musicians and singers. I grew up knowing many of them in Dallas and Austin. Back in those days, we all jammed with each other and gave concerts sometimes together.... You have to understand, we were just teenagers, none of them were really famous in those days... Janis Joplin, ZZ Top, Steve Miller, Johnny and Edgar Winter... The great white blues guitarist and singer Stevie Ray Vaughan (who died back in the '90's), was a personal friend for many years. We actually started together back in Dallas in the early 1960's... Most young folk today don't really listen anymore to these great artists, consider them "dinosaurs"! Many of the young students in Finland too, affectionately call me one... In those days, when I was a teenager, we all drank and did drugs a lot, sadly... Were it not for the mercy and the grace of God, I would be dead like so many others. I toured a great deal back then. I still love the "feeling" of the blues, but for almost 35 years now the most important thing for me are the lyrics of the songs I minister. I don't want to sing anymore: "that my baby left me... and that's why I drink bottles of whisky, beer and vodka... Or maybe I will jump into the river because I have no reason to go on etc". The blues often is of despair and we all have that at times in our lives. But the Gospel brings Hope, and I like that! At home in Finland and in some countries, many of course do not clearly understand the "black dialect" - the phrases and expressions in the lyrics of these blues songs. And some are greatly surprised when we have translated their true meaning into their own language! I'd like to send this Christian Message, for all young and old people.... That's why if I sing something blues influenced or with the roots in the blues, I always change the words and use Christian texts. I am not against some blues songs, so please do not misunderstand me. Because that style is usually talking about life, often - and sadly - without Christ I mean. But it only speaks of what has happened to them and it gives no hope. Really the Blues and the Gospel are not that different, musically-speaking. It is what, or should I say Who, influences them, that does indeed make a very big difference.Christian music always gives hope. And that is why I have chosen to be a servant of the Lord. I want to share that hope with someone who maybe feels hopeless; to encourage those, to cry or to laugh with those in life and to be the brother that the Lord is calling all of us to be. Not just a brother in word alone, but in living it. This is how the world will see the Love of Jesus. . "Jesus is the Answer!", as is the title of the song I sang at the Festival this year with the great TGD Choir! M.C: Lo-Bolek, you are of French dissent, born in Dallas Texas, have lived most of your adult life in your family's homeland, France, been a missionary is South Africa during Apartheid... You have traveled around the world, now you are living near the Arctic Circle in Finland, working in Russia, Mongolia... You apparently also have a love for our country too. Do you find yourself cosmopolitan?Christian-Charles/"Lo-Bolek": I have never thought, when I was young, that Go