Joe Barbieri

For Joe Barbieri it all is rather simple: "In parole povere" is a typically Italian dish pepped up with international spices!" he says. The first seconds of the opener In questo preciso momento explain what Barbieri has in mind: The song opens with a lightly plucked double bass, followed by a discreet acoustic guitar. When Joe Barbieri's uniquely clear, velvety voice joins in, it sends shivers down your spine right away. Then: a first break, the drums kick in and now the sound of the album is there, for the first time, in all its glory: Early '60s trio jazz, Argentinean tango, Brazilian Bossa Nova – it's all there, at once. And yet "In parole povere" is unmistakably pop, Italian pop. And this is thanks to its gentle melodies. "If you listen to my music, it won't take you long to find out I'm Italian. In my own way I represent a very distinct, classically Italian style."
One of the key influences for Barbieri's style are the so-called Cantautori, a group of singers who were responsible for an earlier rejuvenation of Italian song, beginning in the 1950s: Luigi Tenco, Piero Ciampi and Gino Paoli. At the same time Barbieri is a huge fan of Música Popular Brasileira: he adores Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethania, as well as the protagonists of Cool jazz. It's precisely this combination of classical jazz arrangements and a certain reserved elegance that gives "In parole povere" its coherence as an album.
But this is not to say there are no outstanding songs! Take the extremely laid back Leggera. Take the breezy Bossapop of Microcosmo (both songs are destined to go on heavy rotation on radio!) Then there's Pura Ambra, a wonderful duet with Mario Venuti; and the silky Stella di prima grandezza. The subtle instrumentation and the unaffected emotionality of Barbieri's voice make "In parole povere" an intimate masterpiece full of atmosphere and poetry.
In Italy Joe Barbieri is not a new-comer. He has played at the famous San Remo Festival and worked as a songwriter for the Italian diva Georgia. In the 1990s, he released his first two albums with Warner. His career was kick-started when the youthful Joe Barbieri passed on a demo-tape to Italian 70s legend Pino Daniele. Daniele, Naples most famous singer-songwriter, immediately recognized Barbieri's huge talent and began producing him. He went on to publicly praise Barbieri as his "natural heir".
In the beginning, the relationship with Daniele proved fruitful. The older master helped open doors, arranged a record deal and paved the road to the big stages of Italy. However, some time passed and Barbieri felt increasingly restrained by the relationship and by being proclaimed an heir. After two albums with Warner („Gli amori della vita mia“, 1993, „Virus“, 1998) Barbieri discontinued the relationship with both Warner and Daniele. "I was very young, when my first two records were released; both were heavily influenced by Pino Daniele, a giant of Italian music. It was very difficult to escape his influence."
When Barbieri made the cut, he consciously picked the small Naples based record label Microcosmo Dischi as a partner. After an austerely arranged first release with the label, Joe went on to develop the sound of the "new Barbieri". Number one prerequisite for all this: Naples, Barbieri's hometown: "Naples is an irregular city, every day the rules are rewritten, everyday life is being reinvented. It's an ideal place to reinvent yourself as an artist and musician!" Moreover, Naples remains the secret capital of the Italian scene: "Naples has always been the backbone of Italian music: every Italian and many people around the world know the breathtaking melodies of Naples' songs."
Joe Barbieri works at the center of Naples music life: surrounded by well established older artists and a booming independent scene. At the same time he's consciously aiming to find a new audience outside of Italy; and he's one of the first Italian musicians to do so. "The new Italian independent scene is full of talent. At the same time I believe as artists we should stop thinking in terms of nationality."
Good news then for all friends of Italian music: There's a life beyond radio tearjerkers and ice-cream parlor kitsch. Joe Barbieri combines subtle Bossa jazz, a seductive voice and Naples' melodies to create the finest Mediterranean pop. Just in time: The summer of '08 is around the corner (believe us!) and "In parole povere" might well turn out to be its lush soundtrack.