Well, a digital version of Live in Forlì, Italy 1982 was released over the summer, so I suppose it was only a matter of time before ESP-Disk’ and Obsolete Recordings tapped into that occasionally forgettable market of “people who like tangible items to caress and possibly sleep alongside,” no? (Hell, CDs weren’t even around for essentially all of Robbie Basho’s tragically abbreviated career, and something tells me the Baltimore-born guitarist would’ve appreciated the “new” format.)
Accordingly, Live in Forlì, Italy 1982 is getting a CD release on January 26 and an LP release on February 23, just in case you’re one of those people.
The story behind the recording? Basho played at the Palazo Gaddi in Forlì in 1982, which was a few years before he had reportedly decided to quit music and abandon the American hellscape. The show sold about 110 tickets, despite being advertised almost entirely via leaflet and word of mouth, and according to Mario Calvitti, who was in attendance for the concert, the audience responded to the music in the same way that they would a “classical concert,” being very respectful and attentive and all that. Which must have been satisfying, because Basho himself was all-about boosting the steel guitar to the level of a concert instrument.
These days, I say: who gives a shit about what’s considered a “concert” instrument!? Get out there and make us proud, everyone-with-everything!
Speaking of which, while you’re waiting for the ordering info to appear, feel free to stream some handy, lo-res versions of the immaculate tracks contained on the album’s forthcoming editions down below:
Live in Forlì, Italy 1982 tracklisting:
01. Redwood Ramble
02. Song of the Stallion
03. The Grail and the Lotus
04. Interlude 1
05. German Chocolate Cake
06. Interlude 2
07. Cathedral et Fleur de Lis
08. Pavan India
09. Interlude 3
10. Clair de Lune (for Twelve-String)
11. California Raga
More about: Robbie Basho
