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Discography
Members featured in the album
GUSTAVO FEDEL - Keyboards
FERNANDO BERGE - Vocals
CLAUDIO MARTINEZ - Bass
GUSTAVO FAVROT - Guitar
CARLOS GOLER - Drums
Members featured in the album
CIRO FOGLIATTA - Piano, organ, mellotron and keyboards
FERNANDO BERGE - Vocals
CLAUDIO MARTINEZ - Bass and percussion
OSVALDO FAVROT - Electric and acoustic guitar
CARLOS GOLER - Drums, percussion and vocals
Members featured in the album
ANGEL MAHLER - Keyboards
FERNANDO BERGE - Vocals
CLAUDIO CICERCHIA - Bass and vocals
OSVALDO FAVROT - Guitars and vocals
RODOLFO MESSINA - Drums and percussion
Members featured in the album
ANGEL MAHLER - Keyboards and vocals
FERNANDO BERGE - Voice and acoustic guitar
CLAUDIO CICERCHIA - Bass and vocals
OSVALDO FAVROT - Electric and acoustic guitar
RODOLFO MESSINA - Drums and percussion
Members featured in the album
OSVALDO FAVROT - Electric & acoustic guitar, keyboards, percussions and chorus
ERNESTO ROMEO - Synths, mellotron, samplers, pianos, organ ensambles, vocoder, clavinet, electronic drums, , secuencer and computer
PABLO GUGLIELMINO - Vocals and chorus
FEDERICO FAVROT - Bass and chorus
HORACIO ARDILES - Drums and percussion
Members featured in the album
OSVALDO FAVROT - Electric & acoustic guitar, keyboards, percussions and chorus
ERNESTO ROMEO - Synths, mellotron, samplers, pianos, organ ensambles, vocoder, clavinet, electronic drums, , secuencer and computer
PABLO GUGLIELMINO - Vocals and chorus
FEDERICO FAVROT - Bass and chorus
HORACIO ARDILES - Drums and percussion
Biography
After have been part of several beat groups Osvaldo Favrot (Guitar and voice) forms in 1968 a trio integrated by Diego Fraschetti in drums and Daniel Bernareggi in bass. Recommended by a friend of the group, that same year, Fernando Bergé enters to the band in leader Voice and rhythmic guitar. This group was called from that moment "Onda Corta" (Short Wave) and it would be the base of the Espíritu formation in the 70´s.
After live numerous presentations, the group is hired by the company EMI in which publishes a simple one and participates (with other groups) in two LP. The production in studio was in charge of Armando Patrono.
Onda Corta acts in the International Sea Song of Mar del Plata Beat Festival (In wich "Arco Iris" wins with "Blues de Dana"). In 1971 Bergé is recruited in the army and Favrot is hired by Music Hall Sicamericana to be guitarist and singer of the beat group "Verano" (Summer) with which records several songs for this stamp. Bergé knew Carlos Goler (drummer) in the Patricians Band in wich both played drums. At the end of 1972, when they leave the army, Goler and Bergé had a meeting with Favrot to rearm the group "Onda Corta" also with Bernareggi. With that line-up the first rehearsals began in the Goler´s house near "Chacabuco Park". Bernareggi couldn´t follow the rhythm of the rehearsals due to labor problems and he retires.
In one of the rehearsals at the beginning of 1973 Claudio Martinez, (drummer friend of Goler), begins to play with the group but in the role of bass player. Everyone think that he is the perfect musician the band needed and they convinced Claudio to stop playing drums during a time in order to go on with the project. After several rehearsals Favrot intends to change the name "Onda Corta" for "Espíritu" thing that all accepted and with this name the group plays for the first time in Lassalle School Theater with the singer and composer Litto Nebbia.
n July 13th 1973 Espíritu make their first live presentation as invited group in Litto Nebbia´s Trio show Lassalle School Theater. The songs played for the group didn't have the structure of the symphonic songs that then they would play but it was already noticed a great dedication and care in the instrumental and vocal arrangements. The vocal part was in charge of Berge supported by Goler and Favrot in the harmonies. Favrot added his experience in vocal arrangements because it had been part as singer in the "Estrellas del Alba"folkloric quartet.
The group receives a proposal to record in RCA. This company was interested in getting a staff of groups and rock soloists. They made several recordings and in due of backwardness in their edition and the demand of RCA to present more songs the group retires from the company and in September 28 th 1973 Bergé, Favrot, Goler and Martinez sign contract with Microfón Argentina SRL, recording their first simple immediately with the songs "Soy la Noche" and "Hoy, Siempre Hoy". This is published at the end of 1973 by the stamp Talent and with Jorge Alvarez in the production (Producer of Sui Generis, La Pesada del Rock, David Lebón and other important groups and soloists). - "Soy la Noche" is included in the LP. Rock For My friends Vol. 3 and it is very diffused by radio. -
That same year Espíritu plays in the Astral theater with Raúl Porcheto, the duet Messiah and the group Escarcha. This presentation had the following comment in the magazine Pelo: " …it was a show ínter-relationship. Without jealousies and with love. Without superstars illuminators but with the general light of the communication. …
Things occurred well. With Espíritu that is seemingly a begginer gand nervous group but with rehearsal and humanity (although this word seems of another planet)……"
At the beginning of 1974 and since the song "Soy la Noche" they had received a great acceptance from the rock public and good comments from musicians of the time. They begin to work in an ambitious project for their debut album. It was a conceptual work of 50 minutes of duration whose name was " Crisálida " in reference to the intermediate stage between larva and butterfly and comparing it with the changes experienced by a human being.
To give a new sound to the group Martinez and Goler travel to USA from where they also bring one of the first Moog synthesizers that entered to the country, the first guitar Gibson Les Paul de Luxe of Favrot and a Rickenbaker bass guitar for Martinez (instruments almost impossible of getting in Argentina). they were also bought Acoustic equipment for guitar and bass and a Ludwig drum. At the same time that the rehearsals of the first songs for "Crisálida" Espíritu begun searching a keyboards and Moog player.
The members of the group are secured in the national rock movement and they are invited by the production to participate in the The Bible superproduction", in which they would play two songs. Para "Libros Sapienciales" was thought of an arrangement of acoustic guitars that went absolutely different to the original version from Vox Dei. Three acoustic guitars were recorded with different harmonies and the voice of Bergé the choirs of Goler and Favrot were added. Then orchestra's parts were recorded respecting the line of the acoustic guitars.
In the other song, "Moises 3° parte", Claudio Martínez is in charge of the Moog, Favrot of bass guitar and guitar solos and Goler recorded the drums making a dubbing of it. The base of the song was made of a single take (Moog, bass, drum) and then the guitar solo and the voices of Billy Bond David Lebón and Rinaldo Rafanelli were recorded n the live presentations of The Bible that were made during 1974 Espíritu make the vocal support of the song Sui
Generis recorded. Of the magazine Pelo: "They have been to achieve the same effects of the disk, trying to accommodate them to the possibilities that they prepared. We take the case of " Moisés 1° parte" that is interpreted by Sui Generis in the album and dubbed to 16 voices. Playing Live it will be made with duet, plus the vocal contribution of the Espíritu quartet."
During the summer of 1974 David Lebón enters to the group, as keyboard player. From the "Encyclopedia of National Rock 30 years": "David Lebón not only integrated some of the most important rock groups in Argentina, but rather he always made it with different instruments. In Pappo´s Blues was playing bass, in Color Humano was the drummer, bass player in Percado Rabioso and guitarist and fleetingly in charge of the keyboards in Espíritu. Besides playing the guitar, sing and to compose next to Charlie García in Serú Girán."
David began to rehearse every day with the band to familiarize with the handling of the Moog and with the songs that were already compound for Crisálida. Goler´s house had become a room of concerts with the instruments and equipment in the living room and people entering and leaving during the whole afternoon. Every day boys' groups sat down in the sidewalk to listen the rehearsals that were heard to several blocks by the power of the used equipments.
In an interview to the magazine Pelo "My Spirit That Goes" David says: "After my first soloist work I was devoted to rehearse hoping that a group appeared where I could play; of course that what I wanted to find was…….. In Espíritu I will play the synthesizer in the live presentations. I am rehearsing every day from four o'clock up to nine o'clock, I will use an Hammond organ to make the base, because I am not an organist soloist, but rather I will use the organ like complement of the Moog."
In spite of the effort carried out in the keyboards, the guitar (their true instrument) could more and David in good terms moved away from the group to form Polifemo.
At the end of 1981 Bergé and Favrot receive the proposal of the Producer Francis Smith (through their recording engineer Alejandro Franco) for the realization of a new album of the group. After a negotiating series they arrive to an agreement and Bergé-Favrot sign contract with this producer on December 20 1981.
With the material to record would not have problem since they had composed songs for "Aspid" and with other, prepared during the stage of separation of Espíritu. The problem was it could not be with the other original members of the group. Goler and Fogliatta resided in Spain, Martinez had left the bass guitar to play the drums with "Nito Mestre and Los desconocidos de siempre" and Fedel wasn´t seen again.
Through a friend the two Espíritu founders maintain an interview with aformed trio that was integrated by Rodolfo Messina in drums, Claudio Cicerchia in bass and Angel Mahler in keyboards.
Formally the rehearsals began in December of 1981 and the recording of "Espíritu III" began in the summer of 1982. At the same time the Obras Sanitarias Stadium was hired with 6 months of anticipation for the presentation that would become effective in June 12 1982.
The recording was carried out in 16 analogical channels using approximately 100 hours of studio. The Vocoder was used to support the choirs of the song "Lento juego de luces" and it was given particular attention to the Yamaha CP70 piano and to the acoustic guitars.
After have concluded the recording Espíritu undertakes a strong promotion campaign that included presentations in several TV channels, radial reports and press.
For the month of April the teams of illumination were already hired (they opted for theatrical illumination of the team Nikias) and the effects of a noted producer of television effects like Trentuno.
Everything was perfectly foreseen and rehearsed less the possibility that Argentina entered in war with England for the Malvinas Islands. This fact caused great shock in the country and among the members of the group who were on the edge of the suspension of the concert it sews that they could not already make for the demand of the execution of the contracts made, mainly with the stadium.
In spite of the situation that the country lived (until the day previous to the concert it was spoken of the suspension of all the public shows by the Pope's visit) the group is presented in Obras with inferior public's presence to the prospective but that it reached 2800 people.
From the newspaper "La Razón" of June 17 1982. "A Show of Unusual Characteristics". With the return of Espíritu they turned the rock concerts full of pomposity where the light, sound and pyrotechnic effects, take an extremely important look. The return of which was the pioneer of the symphonic rock in our country offered in Obras Sanitarias a show of unusual characteristics. These were the same ones that they had imposed by the middle of the seventy, but that when separating they disappeared with the group. Without place to doubts this return was of the most promissory thing and has opened immense espectations since the new components have granted to the formation a bigger technical wealth, the same as its founders (Fernando Bergé and Osvaldo Favrot) that also evidenced a remarkable improvement, mainly this last one that was taken the biggest ovations. During the two hours that the concert lasted the group offered an extensive repertoire that understood some interpretations of first two LP. They also presented in their entirety their next long duration recorded with the new formation. The most nostalgic song maybe was "Soy la Noche" (first recording of the group) that was modified sensibly and where you could appreciate the lyrical ease that Fernando Bergé has achieved and the good work of keyboard player Angel Mahler. A good return that deserves to be celebrated since the same one allows to appreciate the quality and the personnel style that show the members".
In spite of the good critics the group was attacked by several press media because they considered that the Symphonic Rock was dead and that the group had not returned to show something new. In a comment on the new album was said: "it is of interest for those that want to listen to the only orthodox symphonic group that is in the planet."
From the musical point of view this comment more than a critic was a praise, but the public was more with the new musical currents and it didn't support the new stage of the band in the measure of that waited. In spite of this Espíritu continued being presented live until Bergé announces the beginning of a new era like soloist singer and he quits the group.
From there Espíritu continues more one year with Favrot in the role of guitarist and singer with a different musical proposal. They participate in the festival "Barock" in November of 1982 and in 1983 they record for the stamp RCA the last album denominated "En Movimiento", produced by Ricardo Kleinman and Floro Oria Cantilo.
From the Magazine Pelo: "En Movimiento" review: … "De lado a lado" is the opening song of the album and the first demonstration that Espíritu changed: a classic rock and roll with a thematic realist and a daily language. The rest of the material also sample sensitive variants with the well-known style of Espíritu although there are certain references in some of the arrangements, mainly in those of the slow songs. The compositive part of the group was assumed, after the desertion of Bergé, entirely for the guitarist Osvaldo Favrot, except on two songs that were composed by keyboards player Angel Mahler. Favrot is largely the responsible for the change experienced by the band and he is also now the singer of the group. In this function he acts acceptably, standing out in the calm songs, those that on the other hand seem to be the most fertile vein in the quartet.
In 1996 it is published in Brazil the CD. "Espíritu Live in Obras 1982" extracted from a cassette recorded directly from the console and that it is as only registration of a concert of the group.
After the brake–up of Espiritu in 1983, Osvaldo Favrot continues his musical career next to the singer Sandra Mihanovich participating in the recording of her album "I am what I am" (“Soy lo que Soy”) and making tours around Argentina. From 1985 Osvaldo centers its musical activity in the accomplishment of music for videos, and composing material that was recorded in several demos.
In 1995, and because of an invitation to make a concert in the exterior, retakes the idea to record a new Espiritu album for which he selects several of the compound music and tries to rearm the group with some of the previous members, (Bergé, Mahler, Messina, Cicerchia) but unfortunately they did not reach any agreement. During 1996 Osvaldo records a demo in his particular studio with music previously composed (in which he plays all instruments and chorus) summoning Bergé again for the main voice.
This Demo was meant to be the idea to record an album to be sent to the exterior since "Espiritu III" and “Live in Obras:1982” had been re-edited in Brazil. After the recording, Bergé stops the idea and the project is suspended for the second time. In 2001 Favrot decides to record a new album and to give form to the group but with new members that were in activity and that gave a new push to the project. Thanks to stick player Walter Alderete, Osvaldo is contacted with Ernesto Romeo (Keyboard player and composer for electronic music band Klauss, with two CDs, published and have participated in numerous recordings as invited musician). Quickly they agree to rearm the group in May of 2001 and decide to co-produce the recording.
The following incorporation was Horacio Ardiles, drummer of extensive trajectory in the 90’s with the successful group "Los Rancheros" (8 CDs published), whom its solid musical base would contribute to the new formation (Horacio participated like musician in several Cd’s of other artists). The trio began the tests and the recording of new Demos in September of 2001, with Romeo in piano, synths and mellotron, Ardiles on drums and Favrot in bass guitar, while looking for lead singer.
About March of 2002 they had tested a great amount of bass players and singers with vast experience but no one adapted to the style the group wanted to develop. In May of 2002 Osvaldo meets the singer and actor Pablo Guglielmino in the marriage celebration of a friend in common and a month later begins to try for the recording of the new album.
The recording sessions began in August of 2002 and finished in December of that same year. They were made in three studios in Buenos Aires city. The mixing was made between January and March of 2003, being masterized in April. The CD was published in October of 2003 under the Grandil seal and distributed by Ultrapop.
During 2003 & 2004 several concerts are performed , and recordings and films are made at the “Teatro ND Ateneo” , “Teatro Santa Maria” and the “Recoleta Cultural Center”. From these recordings were edited in 2005 a new live album simply called "Espiritu Live 2004" .
In "El retorno del gigante" web site, signed by Gustavo Bolassini .... "Many people have had the great good fortune to see, almost all the great Argentine bands of the glorious decade of the seventies , meeting and playing in great shape in the XXI century. (Hopefully soon complete the remaining few persons who meet )
One of those great bands that talk is undoubtedly "Espíritu" and also as added extra, now sum (for those who missed the shows) edition of this great "Espíritu Live 2004" album recently published by the Grandil stamp and reflects the historical series of concerts that would give Spirit in 2004 in various theaters of Buenos Aires (ND Ateneo and St. Mary's) , with their current line , its founding leader , main songwriter and guitarist Osvaldo Favrot , Ernesto Romeo on keyboards, Horacio Ardiles on drums and percussion, Federico Favrot on Bass, the amazing actor and singer Paul Guglielmino , besides the great Angel Mahler (former member of the group in the eighties , in the "Espíritu" albums (III) 1982 "Live in Obras 82" 1982 , and "En Movimiento" 1983) , playing in the encore , in his Symphonic song "Guardianes en Pie" ("Espíritu III").
And this album reflects in almost eighty minutes vibrant show, the best of his last studio album (which was on that concert series 2004) "Fronteras Mágicas (2003) and "Frío", "Ciudad de Locos" or "Psicosis 2002" with unbreakable classical group , the music of "Crisálida" (1975) and "Libre y Natural" (1976) , can be noted as well that sound these great works in the new millennium , and strong and good band that still Espíritu, shining through "Libre y Natural", "Imágenes Ténues y Transparente", "Deselectriza Tu Mente" , "Sueños Blancos Ideas Negras" or the finale of "Sabios de Vida" .
One dimension is how well you get these classic Paul Guglielmino , with an impeccable record in both acute and Media , and a great stage presence and impeccable guitars Osvaldo Favrot .
In short, those unfortunates who missed these concerts , or who want to relive them , have in this great "Espíritu Live 2004" disc in dream alive with a first class sound in a great performance of a great band of all Argentina times . Highly recommended . "
In the following years 2 compilation albums "Compiled Espíritu 2006" and "Compiled Espíritu 2008" are produced , and in the year 2013 is released a double album celebrating 40 years of the band, called "Entreciclos" with unreleased live recordings, unreleased tracks and new songs and can be downloaded for free from the official website of Espíritu.
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