Antonio Forcione is
an Italian-born guitarist-composer. Forcione was born in a village on the
Adriatic shore of Molise in southern Italy. He first drew public attention at
13 when he toured Italy with his own band as a guitarist, mandolinist and
drummer. He and a
couple of older friends would pile into a car and travel to villages to play at
local festivals. Antonio would play guitar and occasionally the drums and bass.
The boys earned some pocket money and Antonio began to hone his craft on the
guitar and composing new songs.
He
obtained a Diploma in Art and Sculpture from the Art Institute in Ancona on the
eastern coast of Italy where he also studied percussion, later moving to Rome
to study harmony and mime in his early twenties. In 1983 he moved to London,
but unable to speak English, he joined the ranks of the city’s street buskers.
Within two months he caught the eye of the BBC which led to a television
appearance and a major European tour opening for Barclay James
Harvest. After the tour, he returned to the streets, gigging in wine bars
and pubs. He built up a cult following that resulted in a contract with Virgin
Records.
He’s won a
boatload of awards and has released 17 albums of mostly original material. He
tours internationallyand
has performed at numerous charity events and festivals. I’ve heard him called
the “Jimi Hendrix of Acoustic Guitar,” but I’m not sure it’s appropriate. To my
knowledge, he doesn’t play with his teeth nor has he ever set his guitar on
fire, but he is one heck of a guitarist.
Black Magic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB7RoJCyt2A
Heart Beat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM4GNR2Ls5Q
Acoustic Franchiacorta: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY4foHvRw3s
Touch Wood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUdqS8FGN-A
Billy Jean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTrg7C8m2HA
Jazz 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQuJEZfQsOg
Acoustic Revenge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLLWND_1xsQ
Waltz for Django: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi5jWLRw5-w
All Summer Long: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiOnMgsSp28
African Dawn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNCQI5Zfv4I
Antonio deserves a special wine and I just received a
case of the perfect pairing, the 2012 Les Vignes
de l'Aire Effet Papillon Cotes du Roussillon Rouge. I’ve only seen this one
offered by Moore Brothers in New York/New Jersey, but at $12.00/bottle including
shipping it’s worth ordering a case or two. The wine is a mixture of Grenache
and Carignan and is produced by the Cave Cooperative de Rivsaltes
under the direction of Stéphane and Marjorie Gallett of my favorite winery Roc
des Anges. It’s deep purple with wonderful aromas of cherries dusted with dark
chocolate and spices. The palate follows with a combination of dark cherries
and blackberries. Tannins are light and don’t overpower. The biggest problem
with this wine is that it’s hard to sip. I drink it too fast. Of course, I do
have a case, so I’ll be okay for now. I bet Antonio would love it too!
Cheers!
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