In September of last year we published an article (here) with the title “The Aristodemo’s back in rehearsals for spring relaunch”
The article went on to say – “There have been rumours floating around the Piazza for the past few weeks but today those rumours now become fact: shock, horror, probe – the Aristodemo’s have decided to call it a day after putting their version of Italian swing from the 30s, 40s and 50s in front of many thousands of people over the last couple of years.
Citing “musical differences” two members of the band struck off on their own in a new direction.
Three of the remaining musicians – Alessandro Rizzardi on mandolin and sax, Fabio Guazzelli on guitar and Keane, the percussionist did not let the grass grow beneath their feet and they too moved away in a slightly different direction from the original concept of the Aristodemos.
Back in March they played their first public concert at the Barga Jazz Club (article here) and since then they have returned to their rehearsal studios to prepare for the coming musical season.
As you can hear from this unedited and very rough recording from their practice session this evening, they have one or two surprises up their sleeves
Amay y vivir
por que no han de saber
que te amo vida mia
por que no he de decirlo
si tu fundes tu alma
con el alma miaque importa si despues
me ven llorando un dia
si acaso me preguntan
les dire que te quiero
mucho todaviase vive solamente una vez
hay que aprender a querer y a vivir
hay que saber que la vida
se aleja y no deja
llorando primaverasno quiero arrenpentirme despues
de lo que pudo aver sido y no fue
quiero gosar de la vida
teniendote cerca
de mi hasta que muera
The Aristodemo’s are: Alessandro Rizzardi on mandolin and sax, Fabio Guazzelli on guitar, Keane – bodhràn and percussion, Ugo Menconi on fisarmonica, Leonardo Gnesi – double bass and introducing Andrea Gonnella on vocals
Wonderful. In a way, the “rough” recording gives the music an even more authentic edge. Bravi Aristodemos, especially Andrea whose voice gets better and better. This extraordinary torch song is one of Mexico’s most heart-wrenching canzones, written in 1940 at the tender age of 16 by the great Jalisco musician and singer Consuelito Velazquez. She also wrote the unforgettable “Besame Mucho”.