Critically acclaimed as one of the best records ever, Robert Wyatt‘s 1974 masterpiece “Rock Bottom” has been re-arranged by Craig Fortnam for his amazing North Sea Radio Orchestra. Featuring long time Wyatt’s collaborator and Henry Cow founder John Greaves on bass guitar and vocals and the amazing vocalist Annie Barbazza as lead singer, “Folly Bololey: Songs from Robert Wyatt‘s Rock Bottom” is a hearfelt, fantastic tribute to Robert Wyatt‘s music.
The limited hand numbered edition of 500 LP audiophile blue premium vinyl with gimmix foldout cover and bonus golden CD & 999 Cardboard sleeve hand numbered audiophile golden CD will be released on May 17th on Dark Companion Records.
“This concert is a beautiful event, for me. These musicians seem to me to have have really grasped what my songs are about; but at the same time, created an entirely fresh way of putting the music together. I feel so honored and so grateful.” – Robert Wyatt, March 2019
“One of the greatest albums of the 1970s, beautifully reimagined and re-written for orchestra. I have listened to Rock Bottom hundreds of times, and thought I was familiar with it: but this brilliant new version opens up new depths, fresh vistas, hidden truths. An amazing achievement.” – Jonathan Coe, March 2019
“When John Greaves asked me about producing this album and the concert at Conservatorio Nicolini in Piacenza, for Dark Companion I immediately replied ‘yes’. I already knew North Sea Radio Orchestra and respect Craig as one of the most talented musicians in today’s British scene. ‘Rock Bottom’ is my favourite album ever and John Greaves my closest friend whom I respect very highly and have had the honour of releasing one of his finest albums to date on Manticore. Annie Barbazza? Well she is a marvelous singer and musician and I very much agree with the late Greg Lake who was really amazed by her voice and went on to produce her first album for Manticore as well. So I hope you enjoy what I think is a fantastically soulful, heartfelt and graceful tribute to the poetry of Robert Wyatt.” – Max Marchini, April 2019
Track listing:
1. Sea Song 5:54
2. A Last Straw 5:27
3. Little Red Riding Hood Hit The Road 5:04
4. Alifib 7:45
5. Alifie 5:19
6. Little Red Robin Hood Hit The Road 5:18
bonus tracks:
7. The British Road 6:25
8. Maryan 5:41
9. Shipbuilding 4:47
10. O Caroline 5:09
Personnel:
Annie Barbazza: Lead Vocal/Farfisa Organ
John Greaves: Bass guitar/Vocal (track 4 and 11)/Spoken Word (track 3, 5 and 6)
Nicky Baigent: Bb Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Spoken Word (track 5)
Luke Crookes: Bassoon
William D. Drake: Piano/Farfisa Organ/Vocal (track 2,3 and 5)
Harry Escott: Cello
Craig Fortnam: Guitar/Farfisa Organ/Vocal (track 7 and 9)
Tommaso Franguelli: Vibes/Percussion
Cheb Nettles: Drums
Laurent Valero: Violin/Viola/Recorder/Bass Recorder
Arranged and directed by Craig Fortnam
Executive Production by Max Marchini
Recorded live, mixed and mastered by Alberto Callegari at Elfo Recording
Studios, Tavernago, Italy during “Musiche Nuove a Piacenza Festival”,
November 30th, 2018
Annie Barbazza appears by courtesy of Manticore Records
To purchase “Folly Bololey: Songs from Robert Wyatt‘s Rock Bottom” Limited hand numbered edition of 500 LP audiophile blue premium vinyl with gimmix foldout cover and bonus golden CD & 999 Cardboard sleeve hand numbered audiophile golden CD:
LP & CD: http://store.maracash.com/product_info.php?products_id=496&osCsid=driahpdh9qgkml7tb9pqa3foo0
CD:http://store.maracash.com/product_info.php?products_id=495&osCsid=driahpdh9qgkml7tb9pqa3foo0
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