“Her family wanted the guitar to go to a good home where it would actually be played. I still can’t believe her generosity”: With the help of a stunning vintage Gibson acoustic, Jussi Reijonen is giving Western folk an Arabian makeover

Jussi Reijonen plays fingerstyle on his vintage Gibson acoustic.

There’s something wonderfully enchanting about Sayr: Salt | Thirst, the latest studio album from Finnish musician Jussi Reijonen.

After spending the last two decades experimenting with the Middle Eastern flavors of the oud, he’s come back to his steel-string acoustic – which he likens to meeting up with a wise old friend for deep conversations over a cup of coffee.