Lorenzo Gabanizza is a prolific Singer/Songwriter, who began his career, grinding away in the band scene. He toured Europe with a Queen cover band, and eventually started a fundraising effort to combat AIDS. He then went on to join Christie Again, penning one of the band’s biggest hits. Gabanizza has been something of a staple of Europe, over the last few years. He’s been a part of major shows, writing and recording, along the way.
Lorenzo Gabanizza’s newest single, “You’re Not There” is a standard blues track with an emphasis on texture. Gabanizza recruited Jeff Christie for lead vocals, who does his best Willie Nelson, before delivering a mildly stirring chorus. While there was a team of writers and engineers who contributed to the track, the final result feels entirely like Gabanizza’s vision. There’s a philosophical slant to “You’re Not There,” and the overall message, seems to be one of making every moment count. Gabanizza was involved in a serious traffic accident in 2018, so it’s possible, that experience deeply affected him.
“You’re Not There,” achieves a full sound, with multiple guitar tracks and piano, wedged within. The song still feels quite stripped down, in spite of its dense arrangement. There’s a sort of chiseled slickness, that’s somehow weathered and bright, isochronously. This likely comes from Gabanizza’s years of recording and compositional experience, as well an instinctual inclination. “You’re Not There,” is one of those songs that resonates like a full course meal, even it’s not quite unforgettable.
How many regrets/mangle our souls. There’s a starkly introspective overtone to “You’re Not There.” While it mostly works, things get a little long in the tooth, around the 3 minute mark. There is an edited version, but of course, that feels incomplete. Two minutes in, we get a smooth sax solo, that while not unwelcome, by any means, is somewhat forgotten by song’s end.
Lorenzo Gabanizza seems capable of going in pretty much whatever direction he chooses. “You’re Not There,” might not be where you would want to start, when introducing yourself to his work, as it’s more suited for existing fans. Having said that, Gabanizza distinguishes himself with rarified artistic maturity, with an effort such as this one. In an era, where it seems that few voices of reason, are being heard, this is a refreshing exception to that opinion. There’s a patriarchal sagacity to “You’re Not There,” that leaves one with a prevailing spiritual nourishment.
In what feels like the middle of a sort of career resurgence for Lorenzo Gabanizza, “You’re Not There” is the token ballad. There is absolutely nothing offensive about it, as it’s a piece of music that possesses enough heart to fill a deck of cards. It’s not for all audiences, but it’s a piece of music that knows exactly who it’s looking for and who needs to hear it. Gabanizza, himself, is a picture of survival and endurance. Right now, he’s right where he needs to be.
Rachel Townsend