Dr. Helander & Third Ward - Shining Pearls (202... Apr 2026

Shining Pearls was recorded in Helsinki between July 2021 and December 2022. The album is characterized by a "twin guitar" sound, where the interplay between Helander's stinging solos and Kuloniemi's slide work takes center stage. While the foundation is soulful, old-fashioned blues, Helander’s singing adds a "futuristic shine" that modernizes the genre.

The band consists of veteran musicians who have been fixtures of the Finnish roots music scene since the late 1960s:

: Features prominent slide guitar accents. Dr. Helander & Third Ward - Shining Pearls (202...

: A "heartrending" cover of Lightnin' Hopkins’ antiwar song, acting as a timely social commentary.

The album was released through the Finnish label Bluelight Records and has been praised by reviewers at Blues Blast Magazine and Blues News for its high production quality and "furious" performances. Blues Matters 133 by bluesmatters.com - Issuu Shining Pearls was recorded in Helsinki between July

: The title track, which lyrically focuses on the futility of material wealth compared to personal emotional struggles.

: A darker track reflecting on social isolation. The band consists of veteran musicians who have

Released on , Shining Pearls is the third studio album from the Finnish blues "supergroup" Dr. Helander & Third Ward . The album further solidifies the trio’s reputation for blending traditional Delta and Chicago blues with a raw, electric energy often described as "extra-terrestrial" or futuristic. The Power Trio