RICHARD GALLIANO “New Viaggio”

ARTIST

Richard Galliano

ALBUM TITLE

“New Viaggio”

LABEL

BMG France

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Richard Galliano had already mentioned it in these pages: “Among my upcoming projects, there is one that is particularly close to my heart,” said the French accordionist, fresh from a tour with Paolo Fresu and Jan Lundgren that recently also stopped in Italy. “It is the new edition of an album I released thirty-two years ago and to which I am particularly attached: it is Viaggio, a legendary album for me, originally released by Dreyfus Jazz.”

It is no coincidence, then, that the version released today on the BMG France label is titled New Viaggio. There are several new aspects here: a remarkably high-quality remastering of the ten tracks from the original 1993 album, one previously unreleased piece (For Lolo), and four alternate takes. More than enough reason to revisit one of the maestro from Le Cannet’s finest albums, the one that in many ways codified his musical lexicon, poised between bal musette and improvisation.

What we encounter is an authentic distillation of the Galliano touch: airy themes of moving lyricism, from the opening Waltz for Nicky to the title track; tributes to his mentor Astor Piazzolla and his world (Tango pour Claude); excursions into Brazil (Christopher’s Bossa); homages to the France of yesteryear (La liberté est une fleur) and more. Galliano is joined by an extraordinary band: Michelot was Miles Davis’s bassist on the legendary Ascenseur pour l’échafaud sessions; Bellonzi was Claude Nougaro’s drummer (and the Lolo of the unreleased track); and Biréli Lagrène, at that time, was the rising star of the manouche guitar and beyond.

Aside from Galliano and Lagrène, the other musicians are no longer with us, and this project was conceived in part to honour their memory. “Of all my many records, this is the one I am most fond of, because I consider it the most important both musically and in terms of my career. It is almost as if it contains the story of my life, which has always been tied to moving and travelling.” For those curious to hear these pieces live, the accordionist will appear at the Blue Note in Milan on 6 February 2026, accompanied by Adrien Moignard on guitar and Philippe Aerts on double bass.

A poignant amarcord.

Ivo Franchi

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BMG

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