An explosion of sonic gratitude. Fan Fath al Milanese ensemble and folk singer Vinicio Capossela introduced the audience to a musical ritual whose goal is an ancient ecstasy that can teach the contemporary world a lot. People sang “teach your children” in the Sixties and still want to do it today. After all, we are all children who want to listen to stories in music and dance.
(Special thanks to LabArca Teatro Musica and Sponz Fest)
There was a risk of making something trite… Taking the photo for the album cover of Frank Salis and James Andrews was an exciting challenge. I wanted to simultaneously convey the depth of New Orleans’ musical history and the Crescent City’s strong spirit of inclusion. The good soul of Dr. John was already present in the title. On a hot summer night I thought about Irving Penn’s shots of the hands of Miles Davis. What if those experienced hands had communicated with other hands eager to learn? While I was thinking about that, I was playing with a necklace from the New Orleans Carnival. Et voilà! EUREKA! The hands of James and Frank seal an artistic partnership between cultures and generations. Their hands are spontaneously sharing the soul of New Orleans. The MAC LP cover was done! Frank liked it immediately: <In my opinion it is a brilliant idea that came out of Matteo Ceschi’s brain, perpetually looking for new ideas. The image can be read in many ways, one of which is certainly the passage of something. I would say more of a passage of culture than a simply passing of the baton.>
– Frank Salis and James Andrews, MAC, produced by Frank Salis and Nicolas Gilliet, NicOLAsound Records 2024 © – OUT MARCH 25TH
(Backstage photography: Vincenzo Del Franco e Nicolas Gilliet, Lugano, August 13, 2024)
The promo teaser of single Clap your Hands (NicOLAsound Records) by Frank Salis and James Andrews – recorded in Lugano, mid August 2023 with the precious help of friend photographer Vincenzo del Franco – is now on-line. On a very hot day the video session developed the concept of my cover for the album “MAC” (out on March 25th). ENJOY!
VIDEO CREDITS:
Matteo Ceschi and Federico Ramponi, directors
Vincenzo del Franco, assistant director
Matteo Ceschi, photography
Federico Ramponi, executive producer
By Il diavolo e l’acqua santa & Nicolas Gilliet – NicOLAsound.ch
SONG CREDITS:
Musicians: Frank Salis, Hammond B3; James Andrews, trumpet & vocals; Roland Guerin, bass; Orlando Gilbert, tenor sax; Sammy Cyrus , percussions; Chris Butcher, trombone; Troy Andrews, drums
Recorded on October 18-20, 2022 by Paul Schoen at Buckjump Studio, New Orleans, U.S.A.
Mixed and mastered by Paul Schoen, New Orleans, U.S.A.
Produced by Frank Salis and Nicolas Gilliet
Executive Producer: Nicolas Gilliet – NicOLAsound.ch
THE BOOK TO COME... The history of Seattle music scene hidden behind the silhouette of one of its heroes… STAY TUNED! (Photo credits: Soundgarden, Milano, June 4, 2012)
TELLING WITH MY EYES 