Showing posts with label Annie Barbazza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Annie Barbazza. Show all posts

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Italian Music Artist Annie Barbazza To Release Debut Solo Album "Vive"


Featuring Greg Lake, Fred Frith, Daniel Lanois, John Greaves, Paul Roland and others!

Italian music artist Annie Barbazza is releasing her first solo album “Vive” on February 29, 2020 on Dark Companion Records. She was a young drummer in love with progressive rock when Greg Lake discovered her talent as a singer and wanted her on stage with him for the concert which would later become the posthumous “Live in Piacenza”. Again Lake produced “Moonchild”, the duo with pianist Max Repetti for Manticore Records where she sang many songs formerly sang by Lake with ELP and King Crimson. If these were the beginnings of Annie’s career, now she is a rising star of the international Avant/Prog scene. Her friendship with John Greaves (Henry Cow, National Health) leads her to collaborate permanently live with the Welsh musician and to collaborate on his latest albums (“Piacenza” for Dark Companion and “Life Size” for Manticore).

Another one of her stable collaborations is the one with legendary writer-singer-songwriter Paul Roland with whom Annie regularly performs live as a bassist and singer and in the studio also as a drummer. Of extraordinary success both with critics and audiences is the recent collaboration with the North Sea Radio Orchestra as main vocalist in “Folly Bololey” (Dark Companion), the tribute to Robert Wyatt which triumphed at Rock In Opposition festival and at Cafe Oto in London, the cradle of new music. In studio she collaborates, among others, with Giorgio Fico Piazza and with Warm Morning Brothers, while live she performs together with artists such as Eugenio Finardi, Osanna, Robyn Hitchcock and many more, in addition to the ones afore-mentioned.

This album has a long history: Greg Lake originally wanted Annie to played all the instruments, but the record slowly turned into an all-star friends collaboration for most of them asked Annie to be part of it, from Fred Frith to John Greaves, from Lino Capra Vaccina to Daniel Lanois and Paul Roland. All tracks are original with the exception of two tracks written for her by John Greaves and Paul Roland and a cover of the splendid Blegvad / Greaves classic, “How Beautiful You Are”.

Who know Annie is aware of her elusive, shy nature. By these songs she gave voice to her inner ghosts and dreams, desires and fierce creativity.

An intimate, courageous, innovative album in which the many influences and musical styles of Annie melts together. Producer Max Marchini wanted to keep as immediate as they were conceived and played, avoiding overengineerings and over arrangements. The result is a collections of songs that span over the years working on which the many sides of the sparking, incredible voice of Annie Barbazza are the main character.

The album cover is visual artist William Xerra’s design. The album was recorded and produced at legendary Elfo Studios in Tavernago (Italy), in audiophile quality.



“I think if you can have any gift in music, the greatest gift is to be a singer. Annie’s unique voice is at the same time beautiful, brave and heartfelt.” - Greg Lake

“Annie is a phenomenon. She has a big voice and big heart and she’s eager to learn. Those are the characteristics of all the great musicians I’ve worked with. I can’t wait to see what she does next!” - Fred Frith

“I am in awe of Annie’s numerous gifts; her mellifluous voice, her mastery of so many instruments and most surprising of all - her incredibly diverse range of influences from classic rock to ambient and beyond. Not to forget her impeccable taste in cover versions!” - Paul Roland

“I’m very proud to know Annie as a dear friend. One day, on stage, on the radio in your kitchen, on the net or wherever you chance to hear her, you will know how great she is.” - John Greaves

Tracklist:
01. Ys (Barbazza) 4:12
02. June (Barbazza) 3:52
03. From Too Much Love Of Living (Greaves/Swinburne) 2:39
04. Time (Barbazza) 1:25
05. Nebulæ (Barbazza) 3:00
06. Wrote Myself A Letter (Roland) 6:23
07. How Beautiful You Are (Greaves/Blegvad) 4:22
08. Lost At Sea (Barbazza) 2:35
09. Phantoms (Barbazza) 3:20
10. Tide (Barbazza ) 2:10
11. Les Ruines Du Sommeil (Barbazza) 4:10
12. Lotus Flower (Barbazza) 3:33
13. Boîte à Tisanes (Barbazza) 3:42

Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Alberto Callegar at Elfo Studios, Tavernago (PC).
Produced by Max Marchini

Annie Barbazza
with
Camillo Mozzoni
Daniel Lanois
Franz Soprani
Fred Frith
Greg Lake
John Greaves
Lino Capra Vaccina
Max Marchini
Michael Tanner
Olivier Mellano
Paolo Tofani
Paul Roland
William Xerra

Annie Barbazza
Vive
Dark Companion Records
DC 013 - Limited edition first press golden gatefold mini LP CD
DCLP013 - Limited edition gimmix cover colored audiophile Vinyl and golden CD with an original artwork insert by William Xerra
first press of 500 CDs and 300 individually hand numbered vinyl
Released  February 29, 2020

To purchase: http://store.maracash.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=annie+barbazza+vive&search_in_description=1&x=0&y=0

The vinyl first press will be available worldwide only directly from the website here: http://store.maracash.com/product_info.php?products_id=528

Exclusive International Distrubution and Mail Order: www.maracash.com


www.darkcompanion.com
info@darkcompanion.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

"Folly Bololey: Songs from Robert Wyatt's Rock Bottom" by The North Sea Radio Orchestra feat. John Greaves & Annie Barbazza Limited Edition CD & Vinyl Available May 17th!


500 ONLY AUDIOPHILE HANDCRAFTED AND NUMBERED DARK BLUE VINYL WITH INSERTS AND GOLDEN EXPANDED CD 

999 AUDIOPHILE HANDCRAFTED AND NUMBERED GOLDEN PAPERSLEEVE CD

Cover notes by Robert Wyatt and Jonathan Coe

Italy - Critically acclaimed as one of the best records ever, Robert Wyatt's 1974 masterpiece “Rock Bottom” has been re-arranged by Craig Fortnam for his amazing North Sea Radio Orchestra. Featuring long time Wyatt's collaborator and Henry Cow founder John Greaves on bass guitar and vocals and the amazing vocalist Annie Barbazza as lead singer, “Folly Bololey: Songs from Robert Wyatt's Rock Bottom” is a hearfelt, fantastic tribute to Robert Wyatt's music.

The limited hand numbered edition of 500 LP audiophile blue premium vinyl with gimmix foldout cover and bonus golden CD & 999 Cardboard sleeve hand numbered audiophile golden CD will be released on May 17th on Dark Companion Records.

“This concert is a beautiful event, for me. These musicians seem to me to have have really grasped what my songs are about; but at the same time, created an entirely fresh way of putting the music together. I feel so honored and so grateful.” - Robert Wyatt, March 2019

“One of the greatest albums of the 1970s, beautifully reimagined and re-written for orchestra. I have listened to Rock Bottom hundreds of times, and thought I was familiar with it: but this brilliant new version opens up new depths, fresh vistas, hidden truths. An amazing achievement.” - Jonathan Coe, March 2019

“When John Greaves asked me about producing this album and the concert at Conservatorio Nicolini in Piacenza, for Dark Companion I immediately replied 'yes'. I already knew North Sea Radio Orchestra and respect Craig as one of the most talented musicians in today’s British scene. ‘Rock Bottom’ is my favourite album ever and John Greaves my closest friend whom I respect very highly and have had the honour of releasing one of his finest albums to date on Manticore. Annie Barbazza? Well she is a marvelous singer and musician and I very much agree with the late Greg Lake who was really amazed by her voice and went on to produce her first album for Manticore as well. So I hope you enjoy what I think is a fantastically soulful, heartfelt and graceful tribute to the poetry of Robert Wyatt.” - Max Marchini, April 2019


John Greaves & Annie Barbazza

Watch the promotional video:


Track listing:
1. Sea Song 5:54
2. A Last Straw 5:27
3. Little Red Riding Hood Hit The Road 5:04
4. Alifib 7:45
5. Alifie 5:19
6. Little Red Robin Hood Hit The Road 5:18
bonus tracks:
7. The British Road 6:25
8. Maryan 5:41
9. Shipbuilding 4:47
10. O Caroline 5:09

Personnel:
Annie Barbazza: Lead Vocal/Farfisa Organ
John Greaves: Bass guitar/Vocal (track 4 and 11)/Spoken Word (track 3, 5 and 6)
Nicky Baigent: Bb Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Spoken Word (track 5)
Luke Crookes: Bassoon
William D. Drake: Piano/Farfisa Organ/Vocal (track 2,3 and 5)
Harry Escott: Cello
Craig Fortnam: Guitar/Farfisa Organ/Vocal (track 7 and 9)
Tommaso Franguelli: Vibes/Percussion
Cheb Nettles: Drums
Laurent Valero: Violin/Viola/Recorder/Bass Recorder

Arranged and directed by Craig Fortnam
Executive Production by Max Marchini
Recorded live, mixed and mastered by Alberto Callegari at Elfo Recording
Studios, Tavernago, Italy during “Musiche Nuove a Piacenza Festival”,
November 30th, 2018

Annie Barbazza appears by courtesy of Manticore Records

To purchase “Folly Bololey: Songs from Robert Wyatt's Rock Bottom” Limited hand numbered edition of 500 LP audiophile blue premium vinyl with gimmix foldout cover and bonus golden CD & 999 Cardboard sleeve hand numbered audiophile golden CD:
LP & CD: http://store.maracash.com/product_info.php?products_id=496&osCsid=driahpdh9qgkml7tb9pqa3foo0
CD: http://store.maracash.com/product_info.php?products_id=495&osCsid=driahpdh9qgkml7tb9pqa3foo0

Worldwide PR: www.glassonyonpr.com - glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Dark Companion Records - Tavernago (PC) - www.darkcompanion.com - info@darkcompanion.com
international wholesales and mailorder: www.maracash.com - italian distribution: www.self.it

Friday, May 18, 2018

A Deep Journey Into the Music and Poetry of Greg Lake - Annie Barbazza & Max Repetti's MOONCHILD


Produced by Greg Lake! Limited edition 1000 papersleeve CD and 500 gatefold coloured audiophile vinyl!

Italy - Much to the excitement of Greg Lake & ELP fans worldwide, Annie Barbazza & Max Repetti are releasing MOONCHILD - A deep journey into the music and poetry of Greg Lake! To be issued as Limited edition 1000 papersleeve CD (MAN002) and 500 gatefold coloured audiophile vinyl (MANLP002) on Manticore Records on May 18, 2018, this album marks Greg Lake's final production before his passing on December 7, 2016.

“Amongst the many projects Greg Lake and I planned for Manticore was the re-arranging of his favourite songs in a black and white, contemporary way. A sort of back to the bone, vocals and guitar setting, as simple as that. I remember Greg became an advocate of the new 'less is more' concept and he often reminded us that 'simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.'

“As we went further into the project, we soon discovered that an acoustic guitar could be fine for some tunes, but not suitable for others; so Greg decided we should go for piano and vocals and asked me to look for a talented piano player. I knew Max Repetti who I considered to be the perfect pianist for Greg. Apart from the fact that he had the entire ELP songbook in his repertoire, he is a very able musician. The audition lasted just a few minutes in a countryside restaurant on an upright piano which had seen better days, slightly out of tune, where Repetti dared to propose a medley of 'The Stones Of Years,' from 'Tarkus,' and 'Take a Pebble.' Greg was so delighted that he immediately asked Max to arrange for him a list of tunes he intended to put on the album that we called 'Moonchild,' after one of our favourite early songs.

“Sadly, in early 2014 Greg called me with the very worst news. Shortly after that, he decided to ask his young friend and talented singer and musician Annie Barbazza to take his place and carry on his legacy with this album. He patiently trained Annie using all the available technology to keep him up to date with our progress, while continuing to work with Max Repetti and me on the arrangements and production. We all spoke on Skype several times a week to ensure this project matched his standard of perfectionism and musical integrity.

“When Greg was awarded with an honorary degree for lyrics and music composition by Conservatorio Nicolini in January 2016, he was already too ill to attend the ceremony in person. I decided to surprise him by having Annie and Max perform his music on his behalf in front of the dignitaries. Greg was attending via Skype and you may listen to his encouraging comments on Greg Lake's Official Channel on Youtube. He was so happy with the results that he pushed even harder for Annie to improve her skills as a singer. Annie Barbazza and Max Repetti performed Moonchild again at a sold out concert for Greg's last birthday on November 10, 2016. As Greg wanted, we will keep the flame alive by playing his music. So this is for you, Grande Gregorio wherever you are. May your music resound forever in our hearts.” - Max Marchini


Greg Lake, Annie Barbazza

“Annie and Max recorded such a wonderful and touching tribute to the music I have made during my lifetime. Max's arrangements are absolutely superb! What a magical touch he has and Annie's vocals are at the same time beautiful, brave and heartfelt. It is a very moving experience for me to hear them perform these songs so passionately.” - Greg Lake, 2016

Tracks
01. In The Court of the Crimson King - 21st Century
Schizoid Man
02. Trilogy - The Endless Enigma part II
03. Moonchild
04. The Stones Of Years - Take A Pebble
05. C’est La Vie
06. Battlefield including Epitaph
07. Karn Evil 9 1st impression, part 2
08. Memories Of An Officer And A Gentleman
09. In The Wake Of Poseidon
10. Lucky Man
11. The Sage / The Great Gates Of Kiev

Produced by Greg Lake and Max Marchini
music arranged by Max Repetti
Project coordination: Regina Lake
Recorded by Alberto Callegari @ Elfo Studios
© 2018 Manticore Records Ltd.

Visit Manticore Italy Records to purchase Annie Barbazza & Max Repetti's MOONCHILD: www.manticorerecords.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com