Antonio - Early Demo for The Baghdaddios front man, Kenn Rowell's, solo song

It was the '90s. Kenn Rowell was working through a session for a new song he had written: Antonio (written for his maternal grandmother's younger brother, who had died in infancy). The guitar and vocal tracks you hear, here, would eventually be converted into digital format, cleaned up and completed for Kenn's first solo album (yet to be released): "Instant Solo Album". Producer Richard Shepherd would eventually add a four string quartet: composed and performed by the incredibly-talented Ms. Susan Mitchell.

Here, however, we have a much younger Rowell playing the tune and singing, without any embellishment, in the most raw of demo form. Recorded on an analog home studio Tascam 4-track recorder in the apartment of his college best friend, actor/writer/comedian/musician Paul Obedzinski, these tracks would not re-emerge until only a few years ago, when they became the aural cornerstone for the tune that will appear on the album. In fact, a YouTube video for the finished tune has already been created: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKuRtrXdOIM

Still, we felt the need to place this early demo up here as well - including snippets of studio dialogue ("Take 6", etc) at both the beginning and end of this recording. That's Paul's voice you hear, in addition to Kenn's.

Played back to back, both the finished version, preceded by this early demo version gives a nice glimpse into the evolution of the recording process; providing an interesting example of the development of one of Kenn Rowell's best melodies and lyric work.

Little Antonio Pugliese lies next his twin sister, who likewise passed away a few weeks apart, at the back end of Oak Hill Cemetery in Nyack, NY - a place reserved as the children's section of the cemetery. His siblings rest in close proximity - most having died in infancy as well. The photo you see was taken by Ross Daily in front of Kenn's paternal grandparents' (Mervin and Helen Rowell's) resting place, at the same cemetary. The clock he is holding was given to Kenn's father upon Mervin's passing. It was given to Kenn when he was 7 years old. It is his only keepsake from his father's parents.

Antonio

Far, far from the maddening crowd
Up on a deserted hill
Lies a little body that was meant for bigger things like you and I in life have gotten
But, too bad, he's dead, gone and forgotten

Many, many years ago
When only a few survived
He was just another little one who never quite made it
That's right, he passed away - and no one ever knew until today

Antonio, Antonio
Just a faceless name that I read upon a headstone
Antonio, Antonio
No one in this world will know your name

Your dying young proves that there's no justice in this world
But I'm sure we all knew that by now
Anyhow, is it true your family cried, or was it just that some were born to die?

Antonio, Antonio
All that great potential locked beneath the rolling hills
Antonio, Antonio
No one in this world will know your name Someone's Uncle, that they never had - loving you, loving me
The world's a little less fun - and that makes me sad.........
We could've used your smile but it wasn't meant to be

There's a million souls like you
Who never got the chance to live
I can't be the only one who knows the truth, of what you had and slipped away
And no one ever knew until today

Antonio, Antonio
Just another actor, that never took his bow
Antonio, Antonio
I will still applaud you, just the same

Antonio, Antonio
I'll search the dark landscape, in case I spot your smile
Antonio, Antonio
And now the world will know your name
And now the world will know your name

words and music by Kenn Rowell © 1996 / 2010

Category:

Music

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