Questions for ...

[anortherncod]

If I remember quite well, I read on an italian website an interview with Rich in which he said that some relatives of his live in Milan and that he can understand Italian but not speak so well...
I hope this can help you, someway...

Grazie iledef!

I don't want to conform to stereotypes or anything, but I always thought that most Anglo-Italians or Britalians had roots in southern Italy because it was from there that most people either moved to northern and central Italy or overseas - especially in the 1950s and 1960s and, as we know, Richard was born in 1957. But I might be wrong. If he doesn't reply to my email, we may never know...

Natasha

[iledef]

I always thought that most Anglo-Italians or Britalians had roots in southern Italy

Natasha

Barbieri is a very common surname especially in northern Italy (Lombardia and Emilia Romagna).
However, here's the link of the interview I mentioned

http://www.fucine.com/print.php?url=arc ... htm&id=319

the last question to Richard is the following:

F: Richard, le tue origini sono italiane. Conosci la lingua, passi un po’ del tuo tempo in Italia… Che tipo di rapporto hai con il nostro paese?

RB: Mio padre proviene originariamente da Milano e così, fin da bambino, la mia famiglia passava le vacanze in Italia, dove venivamo a trovare i parenti. Sfortunatamente, non ho potuto lavorare abbastanza in Italia, e la cosa mi dispiace perché la nostra musica è sempre stata molto apprezzata qui da voi. Capisco più italiano di quanto ne sappia parlare, che, in verità, non è molto. Mia sorella vive in Italia e ho alcuni amici lì, così vengo a trovarli quando posso. L’amo, ma troverei difficile viverci.

My translation:
"Richard, you have italian origin. You can speak the language, you spend a little of your free-time in Italy... What kind of relationship do you have with our country?"

"My father came from Milan and so, since I was a child, my family used to spend the holidays in Italy where we met our relatives. Unfortunately, I couldn't have enough opportunities to work in Italy and I'm very sorry for that because our music has always been very appreciated here. I can understand more Italian than I can speak that, really, is not that much. My sister and some friends of mine live in Italy and so, when I have the possibility, I like to come and see them. I love Italy but it would be hard for me to live there."

Now, please, don't be cruel with me: I know that my English is awful but I studied it only at school about 20/25 years ago and never practise until last year when I found this forum.

PS. if anotherncod permits, I can offer myself as a "gooooood" Italian teacher for Richard if.......he does the same for me!

[anortherncod]

Barbieri is a very common surname especially in northern Italy (Lombardia and Emilia Romagna).
However, here's the link of the interview I mentioned

http://www.fucine.com/print.php?url=arc ... htm&id=319

PS. if anotherncod permits, I can offer myself as a "gooooood" Italian teacher for Richard if.......he does the same for me!

Thanks for that iledef. I knew that you can often tell where in the country Italians come from through their surnames (unlike in the UK) but didn't know which region Barbieri was common in.

Now, as far as the Italian teaching goes... I'm afraid that role is already taken!!!

I've read the article and think that, in the light of topics recently discussed elsewhere in this forum, it might be worth posting this part...

FUCINE (F): Nel 1999 abbiamo assistito alle ricostituzioni di band storiche degli anni Ottanta, come gli Eurythmics o i Bauhaus. Voi costituivate una parte molto importante della scena musicale di quegli anni. Che cosa ne pensate di queste "reunion"?

Richard Barbieri (RB): Non ho mai pensato che queste riunioni abbiano tanto successo quanto i gruppi che se ne sono resi protagonisti ne avessero avuto in passato. Se qualcosa viene affrontata in un modo cinico, credo che alla fine si veda.

My (free) translation:

In 1999 we have seen reunions of bands from the 80s like the Eurythmics or Bauhaus. You were an important part of the music scene at that time. What do you think of these reunions?

Richard: I've never thought this reunions would have had as much success as these groups have had in the past. If you approach something in a cynical way, I think it would be noticed, in the end.

Natasha

[sisterlondon]

Hey gals, thanks for doing this! I would have helped more but where does my time go lately...?

BTW, the No-Man question was okay for all of them really, as JBK toured with them (not with JBK songs, they were the band that played with No-Man on some of the 1st tours. I've seen a pic somewhere...)

[anortherncod]

Hey Sis, no problem, I'm sure Astronaut can add the No-Man question to her lists because we are still waiting. I also remembered another question for Richard as well, about the difference between the song The Wilderness on the Indigo Falls album compared to the one on Beginning To Melt, I'm sure there has been some 'tweakage' - that's obviously a technical term...!

Now, patience is a virtue, so they say...

Natasha

[sisterlondon]

Thankies! Also Steve played in all the Returning Jesus album... it's seems that all the JBK guys played with them at different points. It's just funny how some musicians interact in many albums and then find each other (like Mick playing on Gavin's solo album long before he became PT's drummer!)

That's also a good question! (the Indigo falls one)

[Astronaut]

MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF MICK KARN:
Mick is uncontactable at the moment and is likely to remain so for the next few weeks.

So, we will just have to sit and wait a little while longer ... I will contact his management again in near future.

[Melaszka]

Ooh. Wonder what he's doing.

Thanks for contacting his people, anyway, Astronaut.

[anortherncod]

Ooh. Wonder what he's doing.

Thanks for contacting his people, anyway, Astronaut.

He'll be rehearsing his Eurovision entry for Cyprus!!!

Natasha

[Melaszka]

He'll be rehearsing his Eurovision entry for Cyprus!!!

Natasha

Of course!

[Astronaut]

Ooh. Wonder what he's doing.

Thanks for contacting his people, anyway, Astronaut.

He'll be rehearsing his Eurovision entry for Cyprus!!!

Natasha

A-hem, excuse me ladies - could we have a bit more respect for our bass playing hero? I do want him to reply y'know! All this talk of Eurovision might frighten him off! (well, either that or he wont be able to type a reply coz he'll be creased up with laughter!!!!) That would never do ...

And - (FANFARE & APPLAUSE) I have received a reply from Steve Jansen. He has answered all the questions I sent on our behalf. I will post them in a new thread: JBK Q&A: Steve Jansen (Original huh?)

[Astronaut]

News Up-date: I've heard from Mick Karn's management and Mick said he is happy to answer our questions and will hopefully reply in the next 2 weeks (he's experiencing some 'technical problems' at the moment which will take a while to sort out). Watch this space! x

Astronaut

[anortherncod]

I wasn't going to reply to this thread as yet, but seeing as how Astronaut has had the go-ahead from Mick I thought it would be only fair to let you know how I got on with Richard...

He emailed me on 16 April to say that if I emailed him the questions he would do his best to answer them, but was quite busy and also was in Australia (on tour with PT) till the end of the month. (I didn't include the questions in my original email you see.)

So it's watch this space x 2!

Natasha

[Melaszka]

Great news, both of you. I'm excited, even though I don't think I asked any questions. Looking forward to the response.

[sisterlondon]

Yay, thanks so much gals, that's amazing news!