Listen: Before I Say Goodbye
It is clear
that Blues music is in a good shape. Despite being a minority music we´re
living a genre resurgence largely thanks
to dancing clubs spreading all along the continent. Influenced by this movement
Stefano Rochi on this record places
himself at Europe forefront of the genre. Already in his last record “Preaching
the blues” along with harp player Marcos Coll, this genovese guitar player and
singer made clear his composing and arranging skills making a record with an
undeniable old blues flavor but according to present times.
On “In
close embrace” he keeps on following half way between tradition and the forefront
of blues music path right from the first
song “Have Mercy” a gospel tune wrapped around slide guitars and samplers
written by Rochi and L.P. Rozen to “Before I say good bye” a classic shuffle
written by Ronchi and Rozen as well and joined by harp player Marcos Coll. Just
to take us to a more soulful field on “Down the river” signed by Ronchi
himself. One on this record´s jewel “Darkness
on the delta” a cover from the 30´s standard only performed by Ronchi on guitar
and the great Jessie Gordon on vocals. Another great cover on this record
is “Everything I know about the blues
originally written by Texas singer Delbert Mc Clinton, keeping alive one of the
most important american music artist song spirit. “St. James Infirmary” reveals Ronchi´s most
introspective side on a standard
uncertain authorship standard made popular by Louis Armstrong this time
recreated by Roonchi´s guitar master class intro and Marko Jovanovic on
harmonica.
“My last
request” is signed by Ronchi / Rozen again, meaning a half way step between
soul and gospel spiced with samplers and acoustic guitars. Randy Newman´s
tribute on “Down in New Orleans” with Nina Hill on vocals. Ronchi signs “10
minutes Blues” going back to the delta blues with Marcos Coll on harmonica just
to update gospel song “Joshua fit the battle of Jericho” with Henry Carpaneto
on piano. “Nothing else matters” turns out to be the most eclectic song from
this record originally written by James Hetfield from the american band
Metallica. L.P. Rozen y Ronchi write another jewel from the record “At the end”
with the only tag that great songs must have. Guitar instrumental “To glorious
days”puts end to the record.
On “In close embrace” Ronchi not only has been
supported by top european musicians but have led them masterfully, laying
bridges between gospel and blues tradition from an eclectic point of view
influence by the Dancing clubs scene the way always should, the way it was
meant, Blues and dance held together in close embrace.
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