Andrea Castelfranato – Duende Live (2020) [SACD / Fonè – FoneSACD213]
Title: Andrea Castelfranato – Duende Live (2020)
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO
Duende Live by Andrea Castelfranato, recorded at the 1st fonè Music Festival Piaggio 2019, captures a vibrant solo guitar performance at the Piaggio Auditorium in Pontedera’s historic Piaggio Museum, Italy, on April 6, 2019. Organized by Giulio Cesare Ricci of fonè Records, the festival showcased high-fidelity live recordings, with Ricci employing his signature “field effect” technique using Neumann U47, U48, and M49 valve microphones, Signoricci pre-amplifiers, and both analog (Ampex ATR 102, modified by David Manley) and digital (Pyramix Recorder, dCS converters) equipment for natural, unprocessed sound. Following his acclaimed Anxanum album, Castelfranato delivers a masterful set on acoustic and nylon-string guitars, blending original compositions like “Frammenti di Conchiglia,” “Acquamarina,” “Selam,” and “Solitude” with covers, including Nicola Di Bari’s “La Prima Cosa Bella” and a dynamic medley of “Africa” (Toto), “Billie Jean” (Michael Jackson), “Staying Alive” (Bee Gees), “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” (Gloria Gaynor), and “O’ Sole Mio” (Di Capua). The encore, Henry Mancini’s “The Pink Panther,” adds to Ricci’s ongoing collection of the theme. The 52-minute, 12-track SACD (fonè SACD 208), also available on 180g vinyl and tape, boasts vivid dynamics and realism, immersing listeners in the live experience. Castelfranato’s virtuosic fingerstyle, honed under Giovanni Unterberger and influenced by Biréli Lagrène and Franco Morone, shines with elegance and Mediterranean flair, earning praise for its pathos and technical brilliance. Notable tracks include the 7:10 “Frammenti di Conchiglia” and the 7:18 medley, though some find the pop covers less cohesive with his originals. The SACD’s DSD mastering ensures audiophile-grade clarity, making this a must-have for guitar and hi-fi enthusiasts.
