Most of the time when I am writing a review I give the music a spin first before I read too much about the artist behind it. I try and listen to it out of context and enjoy the music without prejudice. With Lorenzo Gabanizza though, I ended up doing the reverse, and in a way I'm glad that I did because Lorenzo's story is so deep and his musical history so varied that it actually left me with little idea of what to expect from his latest single Someone Waiting At Their Door. A tribute to the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks and their families, the only thing I really expected from this was a poignant and emotive song; and this is precisely what I got, portrayed as in a sincere and subtly detailed piece of soft Country.
Whilst more often than not there is a Country music twist to Lorenzo's style, his musical background has covered a plethora of genres: from his early days of passionately leading Queen tribute bands, to working with legendary folk singer-songwriter Donovan, to his journey into Celtic music, to his Linkin Park covers and his dark experimental rock period, Lorenzo has produced a whole world of different music through the years. This amount of musical exploration can either be seen as a symptom of someone perpetually unsure of their direction, or someone who is so full of creativity that it's impossible for them to focus in just one area. I believe with Lorenzo it is the latter, but I think he has found a good focus with Someone Waiting At Their Door. This is a clear, precise and well-written song that shows the maturity it takes to write words from a non-personal perspective.
Musically it's a strong and effective tune, as melancholic and pensive as one might expect for this subject matter. Instrumentally is uses the acoustic guitar/banjo/fiddle triptych that is so effective, and there is a lovely use of space and dynamics in the production too. In the choruses some extra layers are brought in, including a higher pitched tremolo strummed guitar that gives the sound a slight Mediterranean flavour to it. Throughout the song Lorenzo's voice is tender and effortless in it's evocation of hope in the face of agony. There is a beautiful fiddle solo after the second chorus, performed by Canadian musician Ian Cameron, that adds a lovely atmosphere to the track too.
The lyrical narrative in the verses is strong, but the most powerful motif comes in the chorus: “all the tears can't replace all the waste of those lives”. The words throughout the song focus on the loss of life and the pain of the families. It's unfortunately been too easy for songs about this topic to cross into the realms of nationalism and xenophobia in the name of mourning, so I'm glad to say Someone Waiting At Their Door doesn't fall into any of this; it's a fitting tribute to the 2,977 people that died without any agenda beyond this.
Lorenzo might have a whole catalogue of different styles in his background, but with Someone Waiting At Their Door I think he has hit on a genre he does superbly well. Nothing about this Italian playing a very American genre feels contrived or forced; in fact quite the opposite, Lorenzo gives the impression that he is at total ease with this style. Taking on this subject matter is always a bold move, and Lorenzo does it total justice here. It's hard to imagine this is the same musician who produced the anger and abrasive emotion of Demons, but then if there is one thing to be said about Lorenzo Gabanizza it is that he is an artist with a lot of creatively.
Listen to Someone Waiting At Their Door by Lorenzo Gabanizza on Spotify here
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