Claudia Bettinaglio sings the blues of Tom Waits. Or: a new blues voice explores the worlds of a genius songwriter who occupies a one-of-a-kind position in the present musical world. The fact that this exceptional appreciation of his work has come to the Californian singer and songwriter rather late in his career makes it all the more remarkable. Setting new record ticket prices for audiences on his most recent tour of Europe is also part of the picture but has contributed to the fact that even the cultural establishment is taking notice of this man's maverick work. A man who has somehow become the beatnik freak figure he once created for himself. Tom Waits is a fascinating artist for many - including Claudia Bettinaglio.
Claudia Bettinaglio sings rock, r & b, blues, jazz and the like. Her singing voice is full and round and drenched in blues feeling. Hearing her sing one does not imagine easily that she is indeed a young woman from Switzerland with an Italian family background and that SAVING ALL MY LOVE is her coming out album as a solo artist. Yes indeed, Claudia Bettinaglio is a new and very exciting voice from the heart of Europe. This album pays homage not only to one man's singular songwriting art but also documents a singer's personal fascination for the depth of his work. A fascination that has turned into an intense and practical confrontation with a set of immaculate songs. This journey includes songs from a time span of almost thirty years. Every period of Tom Waits' writing is included – from "Ice Cream Man" (1973) to "Cold Water" (1999). Claudia Bettinaglio is a surely fan, but she does not try to imitate what cannot be imitated. With her powerful, melodic voice she puts her own stamp on these songs and proves how well this material – that is so much marked by the creator's very original voice – lends itself to new interpretations. After having digested this set of fourteen songs it's clear – Claudia Bettinaglio knows what she's doing...
Here's how SAVING ALL MY LOVE came about: First of all, the project was made a reality for HERMAN's who's label heads were more than impressed when they first heard this young singer on stage of the Lazy Poker Blues Band. Claudia got an exclusive deal which enables her to realize the Tom Waits' project in Nashville, Tennessee, assisted by a more than competent group of good friends and colleagues. After having chosen the repertoire and those to be involved in this project, everyone met in Music City, USA. Not only the capital of country music, of course, but a great place to record a roots music record with a feeling, so to speak. Players included the always masterful Fred James (guitars), "Amazing Rhythm Ace" Jeff Davis (electric bass), Bob Kommersmith (acoustic bass), Billy Earheart (organ), Steve Herman (trumpet), Dennis Taylor (sax), Steve Conn (accordion) and last but not least, Irishman Liam Genockey – formerly drummer with the sadly missed Buick 6. Produced by blues expert Mary-Ann Brandon, this album came to be quickly. It really is an album that should establish Claudia Bettinaglio as one of the most interesting new voices from Europe and a Waits interpreter of special ablity.
A short look back into this singer's personal history: despite her father's fascination for bel canto singing, the attractive young lady decides to get singing lessons only at the late age of 25. But she soon attracts the attention of Swiss blues cracks and Lazy Poker stalwarts Cla Nett and Stephan Pulver. They decide to throw Claudia into the deep end at one of their gigs at the Blue Monday club in Freiburg, Germany. She delivers what is expected and the audience's enthusiastic reaction amazes Nett & Co. Practically overnight, Claudia Bettinaglio becomes the lead singer of Switzerland's most popular electric blues combo. She stays until late 1997. What follows is a period of transition with contributions to a number of projects featuring Swiss artists like Dänu Siegrist, Martin Graf/Boutflower or Giorgio Libera. About time for SAVING ALL MY LOVE - the first project under her own name. From the beginning it's clear to all involved: the stakes for re-interpretations of Tom Waits' songs are pretty high these days. The initial goal lies in finding a convincing and one-of-a-kind approach. Claudia Bettinaglio decides on doing what she knows best – singing the blues. A music which happens to be one of the cornerstones of Tom Waits' musical palette.
On SAVING ALL MY LOVE Claudia Bettinaglio and her musicians combine a rather diverse mix of styles. Whereas the original versions tend to feature somewhat eccentric players like guitarist Marc Ribot, this project relies upon the Telecaster skills of Fred James, who really breathes some life into the arrangements on all of these tracks. Earthy blues chords, soulful slide playing, sensitive dobro licks – it doesn't really matter what is required. Fred James delivers it all, always playing for the song, always supporting the voice of Claudia Bettinaglio. Who really is the center of attention, of course. Hers is a voice that enfolds in deeply felt blues shadings and a natural ability to project. With this fully rounded vocal attack Claudia Bettinaglio is the real focal point of this album. It's a record that includes late night blues ballads, swinging shuffles, cajun atmospheres, jazzy trumpet solos and great midtempo R'n'B grooves. In a way, SAVING ALL MY LOVE bares the straight blues soul of many of these songs. Where the originals tend to be left of center and eccentric, these new interpretations offer more straight but no less inspired versions of Tom Waits' blues material. lineup Claudia Bettinaglio - vocals Fred James - acoustic and electric guitars, dobro Jeff Davis - electric bass Bob Kommersmith - acoustic bass Bill Earheart - hammond b3 Steve Conn - accordion Steve Herman - trumpet Dennis Taylor - saxophone Liam Genockey - drums Mary-Ann Brandon - background vocals Fred James - background vocals Charles Walker Jr. - background vocals Fred Waters Jr. - background vocals
track listing Fumblin' with the Blues(Tom Waits) 3:08 Clap Hands(Tom Waits) 3:25 Invitation to the Blues(Tom Waits) 5:38 Heartattack & Vine(Tom Waits) 3:23 Jockey Full of Bourbon(Tom Waits) 3:07 Ice Cream Man(Tom Waits) 3:00 Wrong Side of the Road(Tom Waits) 4:22 Saving All My Love For You(Tom Waits) 2:55 Romeo is Bleeding(Tom Waits) 2:50 Swordfishtrombones(Tom Waits) 3:01 Dirt in the Ground(Tom Waits) 5:00 Cold Cold Ground(Tom Waits) 4:43 $29(Tom Waits) 7:07 Cold Water(Tom Waits) 4:25
