Italian music sensation Claudio Baglioni has recorded and released the Maltese song L-Aħħar Bidwi F'Wied il-Għasel on an internationally published single, marking the first time a Maltese song in the Maltese language has been released by an international artist of worldwide fame.
Italian music enthusiasts, who attended Baglioni's CiaO'Scia' concert at the Valletta Waterfront last August, which also saw the participation of Riccardo Cocciante and Gianni Morandi, were already pleasantly surprised to hear Baglioni sing the Maltese song. His interpretation was greatly appreciated by the crowd.
Baglioni is said to have been so impressed by the song's haunting, ethnic, Mediterranean melody, as well as the sound of the Maltese language and the content of the lyrics that he decided to record and release it.
Now, to the pleasure of his fans, L-Aħħar Bidwi F'Wied il-Għasel has been released as a single CD on the SONY/BMG label.
Composed by Paul Abela, with lyrics by Alfred C. Sant, it was originally released by the late Maltese singer Sammy Bartolo and New Cuorey.
Both composer and lyricist said they were thrilled that their song has been released by one of the greatest Italian singers of all time. As a musician and singer, Baglioni made it big in the 1970s with the song Questo Piccolo Grande Amore and has had an internationally acclaimed career ever since, with such hits as Strada Facendo, A Modo Mio and others.
The story dates back to several months ago, when a Tourism and Culture Ministry official had casually mentioned to Baglioni whether he would be interested in recording the track.
"It was a long shot," or so the official thought...
"The next thing we knew, we received the recording... which sent shivers down the spine." The tune is catchy and the Maltese sounds like an exotic language.
The Tourism and Culture Ministry, on whose initiative the project had kicked off, had planned to launch the limited-edition single in December to raise funds for Baglioni's O'Scia Foundation, which focuses on the phenomenon of migration.
At the time, back in October, Baglioni had decided to waive his artiste's fee, but the Tourism Ministry was going to be billed by Sony for the recording. Based on that cost, which was expected to be feasible, the project would have been green-lighted.
But somewhere along the line, contact with the recording label fell by the wayside and the project seems to have been hijacked.
What is important is that the legendary Baglioni has recorded a Maltese song in Maltese, the official said. The CD is on sale at D'Amato Record Shop in Valletta. On it is also Baglioni's interpretation of Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu, otherwise known as Volare.