NO.384
2003/09/14 (Sun)
Bebu "Spring Rain" Silvetti Died At 59
べブ・シルヴェッティ死去。

1977年世界的に「スプリング・レイン」がディスコでヒットしたシルヴェッティーことベブ・シルヴェッティーが、去る7月5日にマイアミで死去していたことがわかった。直接の死因は肺炎。59歳。日本では電気グルーヴが97年にリリースした「シャングリラ」でこの「スプリング・レイン」をサンプリングして、知られるようになった。

べブ・シルヴェッティーは1944年3月27日アルゼンチン生まれ。当初はクラシックを聞いていた。地元でレコード制作をしていたが、77年録音した「スプリング・レイン」がアメリカのサルソウル・レコードから発売されアメリカのディスコだけでなく世界的にヒット。その後ワーナー傘下サイアー・レコードから「サン・アフター・ザ・レイン」をリリース。小ヒット。

彼はピアノ奏者でもあったが、アレンジャーとしても活躍。シルヴェッティー名義の作品以外で、他のアーティストの作品をプロデュースしたりしていた。彼がてがけた作品にはヴィッキー・カー、ルイス・ミゲール、ラリー・エルガート、ポール・アンカなど多数。最近でもエンゲルベルト・フンパーディンクなどをプロデュースしていた。

また今年9月第一週に発表された2003年「ラテン・グラミー賞」では、ベスト・プロデューサー・オブ・ジ・イヤーに輝いている。

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偶然。

シルヴェッティーのことをちょっと調べていたら、なんと彼が既にこの7月5日に死去していたことを知った。ほとんど報じられていなかったのでびっくりだ。バリー・ホワイトが他界した日と同じということになる。ビルボードのサイトにもでていなかったので、一応この日記でも掲載しておくことにした。死亡記事は、ある程度有名だとけっこう入手できるが、少しマニアックだとなかなかでてこなかったりする。しばらく前のホーマー・バンクスなんかもそうだった。ここでは遅くなってもその情報を入手した時点で掲載していく。

シルヴェッティーはなんといっても「スプリング・レイン」だ。日本では「シャングリラ」の元歌ということで知られている。まあ、実質的なカヴァーと言ってもいいだろう。だが、シルヴェッティーとしては他に大ヒットらしいヒットはないので、典型的なワンヒット・ワンダーだ。

今回の死で知ったが、いろいろラテンコミュニティーを中心にレコーディングやアレンジの仕事などをしていたようだ。その証拠に先週、ラテングラミーでプロデューサー賞を獲得している。しかし、そのラテングラミーでのベストプロデューサー賞は、本人は受け取れなかったことになる。奥さんが受け取ったのだろうか。59歳とは若すぎる死だ。

ご冥福を祈りする。

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Bebu Silvetti
Once again we're confronted with a brick wall in our attempts to research and document information on an early disco pioneer.
From what I've been able to dig up it seems Bebu Silvetti is of Argentinian descent. His earliest appearance on vinyl is the classic that earned him his place in the DiscoMuseum, "Spring Rain." The 1977 lush instrumental was his one and only true "hit" record. The song was so popular that it was actually Salsoul Records first global hit, the label had marginal regional success with its prior releases but it was "the sensous sounds of Silvetti" that changed all that.
Oddly enough as with many of Salsoul's early releases their was no follow up despite the huge success of it.
His next American release was for the Warner Bros. subsidiary Sire Records. "Concert From The Stars" enjoyed mediocre success especially with "Sun After The Rain." Several more attempts would follow at gaining disco success but none would ever equal "Spring Rain."
Besides his expert piano playing Bebu is also an arranger, conductor, and producer. In these capacities he has earned his living and made his mark in the recording industry.
His list of credits is longer than his acutal list of self-titled recordings. His credits date back to 1989 with Larry Elgart's "Latin Obsession." In 1990 he arranged Vikki Carr's "Set Me Free." In 1991 he produced Luis Miguel's "Romance," the singers first platinum recording. 1992 saw his work with Eydie Gorme on "Eso Es El Amor" and Mijares "Maria Bonita" gain critical acclaim.
1996 was another banner year for Bebu as producer for Simone on "Dos Enamoradas," Paloma San Basilio on "Simplemente Lo Mejor," Jose Luis Rodriguez on "Llamada Del Amor" and Paul Anka's "Amigos."
1997 was a light year for Silvetti with only Graciela Beltran's "Tuya" being released. 1998 found him back in full swing with producing and arranging duties for Jos・Luis Perales, Luis Miguel, Armando Manzanero and Roberto Carlos. 1999 brought his renewed work with Marco Antonio Solis, Daniela Romo, Raphael, Placido Domingo and new work with Vic Damone and Ricardo Montaner.
As the new millenium arrived Silvetti began an even bigger list of credits. In 2000 he did a various artists compilation entitled "Grammy Nominados 2000: Latino." He also forged new alliances with Alvaro Torres, Tamara, Juan Gabriel, Ra�l DiBlasio and Daniel Barenboim & Milton Mascimento.
2001 was yet another rich and rewarding year for Bebu as he continued his work with Placido Domingo, Ricardo Mantaner, Paloma San Basilio and Marco Antonio Solis.
More recently he can be seen in the credits of work by Tamara, Jos・Luis Perales, Engelbert Humperdinck and Dyango. As nice as it was to see that he wass still very much active in making music one can't help but long for more of his rich and wonderful disco masterpieces. It too is surprising that with such a list of accomplishments that he doesn't have his own website and that there is no biographical information readily available for him. Still he has earned his place here in the DiscoMuseum and we'll be forever thankful for the lush warm tones of "Spring Rain."


Mr. Silvetti passed away on July 5th in Miami, Florida. Sources say that he had remained very active even after his diagnosis of lung cancer. Sadly we mourn another talent gone too soon......another talent in that giant party up above...we'll miss you!

One of Mr. Silvetti's daughters wrote us to explain that Bebu died from complications of pneumonia not from lung cancer as previously reported. Our condolences to the family in this time of grief......know that your father was loved and respected by millions all over the world.....God Bless!


Born 3-27-1944 Died 7-5-2003
...of complications from pneumonia.
1
1993 was an even bigger year with his work on Alberto Cortez's "Aromas," Engelbert Humperdinck's "Yours: Quiereme Mucho," Rocio Jurado's "Como Las Alas Al Viento," Simone's "Distancia" and Maria Sorte's "Vuelve Otra Vez."
1994 brought more international success with Placido Domingo's "De Mi Alma Latina," Raphael's "Fantasia," Daniela Romo's "Cita," Selena's "Amor Prohibido" and Dionne Warwick/Placido Domingo's "Celebration In Vienna."
1995 saw a return to work with Engelbert Humperdinck on "Love Unchained." That year he also worked with Emilio Kauderer on "Journey."



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Last modified Thu., September 04, 2003 - 02:23 AM
Originally created Thursday, September 4, 2003


2003 Latin Grammy winners


The Associated Press
The list of winners for the 2003 Latin Grammy Awards.

Song of the Year: Por Ti, Juanes

Best Pop Album by a Duo or Group with Vocal: Caraluna, Bacilos

Best Male Pop Vocal Album: Quizas, Enrique Iglesias

Best Female Pop Vocal Album: Sobrevivir,Olga Tanon

Best Rock Album by a Duo or Group with Vocal: Revolucion de Amor, Mana

Album of the Year: Un Dia Normal, Juanes

Best Regional Mexican Song:Afortunado, Joan Sebastian.

Record of the Year: Por Ti, Juanes

Best Pop Instrumental Album: Bajofondo Tango Club, Bajofondo Tango Club

Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album: Emigrante, Orishas

Best Rock Solo Vocal Album: Un Dia Normal, Juanes

Best Rock Song: Mala Gente, Juanes

Best Salsa Album: 40 Aniversario En Vivo, El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico

Best Merengue Album: Pienso Asi ..., Milly Quezada

Best Contemporary Tropical Album: Mundo, Ruben Blades

Best Traditional Tropical Album: Buenos Hermanos, Ibrahim Ferrer

Best Tropical Song: Mi Primer Millon,Sergio George and Jorge Villamizar(Bacilos)

Best Ranchero Album: 35 Aniversario Lo Mejor De Lara, Vicente Fernandez

Best Banda Album: Afortunado, Joan Sebastian

Best Grupero Album: Que Sentiras Atrapado

Best Tejano Album: Si Me Faltas Tu, Jimmy Gonzalez y El Grupo Mazz

Best Norteno Album: La Tercera Es La Vencida ... Eso! Los Terribles Del Norte

Best Folk Album: Acustico, Mercedes Sosa

Best Tango Album: Homenaje A Piazzolla, Sexteto Mayor

Best Flamenco Album: El Corazon De Mi Gente, Pepe De Lucia

Best Latin Jazz Album: Brazilian Dreams, Paquito D¶Rivera

Best Christian Album: Sana Nuestra Tierra, Marcos Witt

Best Brazilian Rock Album: Longo Caminho, Os Paralamas Do Sucesso

Best Brazlilian Contemporary Pop Album: Tribalistas, Tribalistas

Best Samba/Pagode Album: Ao Vivo, Alcione

Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) Album: Eu Nao Peco Desculpa,Caetano Veloso e Jorge Mautner

Best Sertaneja Album: Zeze Di Camargo e Luciano, Zeze Di Camargo e Luciano

Best Brazilian Roots/Regional Album: Chegando De Mansinho, Dominguinhos

Best Brazilian Song (Portuguese Language): Tristesse, Milton Nascimento(Milton Nascimento e Maria Rita Mariano)

Best Latin Children's Album: Xuxa So Para Baixinhos 3, Xuxa

Best Classical Album: Historia Del Soldado, Paquito D¶Rivera

Best Engineered Album: Revolucion De Amor, Benny Faccone (Mana)

Producer of the Year: Bebu Silvetti
Best Music Video: Frijolero, Molotov

Best New Artist: David Bisbal

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