Music Velly Joonas – Stopp, Seisku Aeg! LP

Velly Joonas plays a very important role in the history of Estonian soul music. Even though nowadays we categorise her as a bohemian bard, she is cited in Estonian culture magazine Kultuur ja elu in 1977 as saying that she is dreaming of the life of a soul singer who performs at large stages.

Fortunately for us, she recorded some cover versions of soul classics in Estonian.

„Stopp, seisku aeg!“  (Stop! Stall the Time!) is an arrangement of Frida s song „I See Red“ to which Velly Joonas wrote the Estonian lyrics. The song is played by the amateur group Vstretša which was formed by young Russians from Lasnamäe in Tallinn. Her piano player was invited to lead the young band which meant that Joonas was also welcome to perform with them. As they wanted to get a permit to perform, they recorded the song Velly recommended as an example of their music.

„Käes on aeg“  (It Is Time) is a beautiful Estonian cover of the well-known song  „Feel Like Makin Love“ which was recorded in an hour. The song is performed with the band Pirita where Joonas sang for a while. The band was led by the keyboard layer Tiit Saluveer and according to Velly Joonas, the group also included Paul Mägi, Riho Lilje, Tiit Juurikas, etc

A-side: Velly Joonas & Vstretša “Stopp, seisku aeg!” (Jim Rafferty / Velly Joonas)

B-side: Velly Joonas & Pirita “Käes on aeg” (Eugene MacDaniels / Velly Joonas)