Xabier Badiola

There are no tricks or gimmicks in Xabier Badiola’s elegant photographs published so far. Whether proudly holding up his acoustic guitar, or melancholic and lonely strolling through the ruins of an abandoned factory, always in an elegant black and white vintage folk style. That is exactly what we can find in the beautiful melodies and grooves from this great record. Just Xabier’s voice and guitar, with some light and fleeting notes from Regina Luisa Zigaran’s voice. It is enough to complete an album that is probably one of the most impressive that this label has released in recent years. Xabier’s music is just like that, it conquers us, makes us use terms that we only reserve for masterpieces.

The LP’s cover features an enchanting drawing by veteran Eibar artist Iñaki Larrañaga, suggesting the album’s dialogue between different periods and generations. Quoting artists from the British folk revival era such as Pentangle, Fairport Convention, Nick Drake, Tim Buckley from the United States, Robbie Basho, John Fahey or Xabier Lete or Laboa from the new Basque song of the 60s is a usual source for an artist who plays whispered and slightly psychedelic melodies with just one guitar  But there are very few (if any) cases where they really produce a minimal spark that recalls the brilliance of that type of musical giant. However, as soon as we listen to the first notes of this album, that magic, that trance-like state that we thought we had already forgotten and that was impossible to reproduce, comes back for a moment. The fragile tones reveal an identification that goes far beyond the simple imitation of a certain sound or aesthetic.

Until now, Xabier has played in electric English psychedelic and progressive rock-oriented bands, developing, and keeping his acoustic folk side in secret. As in many other cases, it was the pandemic break that made him dive into this world and write his first songs. It was also the moment when he made the conscious and sincere decision, in accordance with the intimate content of his lyrics, to sing in his native Basque language.

Far from sophisticated studio arrangements, Xabier Badiola recorded these 10 songs in a home environment, with great care. The greatest and most beautiful songs are often the ones that are best enjoyed and appreciated in their purest simplicity, without any accompaniment at all. And whether this is a temporary and unique initiative or a long-term project, there is no doubt that one of the most fascinating treasures to be heard today and here in the Basque Country music scene has just fallen into our hands.