Clara Bellino
Clara Bellino 'Embarcadero Love'
Hailing from Paris, France, and growing up in a small village of the French Alps, Clara Bellino blends heartfelt rhythms, magical lyrics, and unimaginable emotions into a rare mixture of solid American songs with an unfettered sense of humor and a European sense of what is amusing.
Americans probably remain puzzled by her songs in French, but are still moved by the rhythms and the performance. Her English songs are instantly understandable and the range between Europop and American Music is beguiling. All you have to do is listen to “Potential Criminal” or “Good Night Baby” and you won’t get these beautifully produced songs out of your head.
There is no single word that describes her songs. It’s a mixture of thoroughly requited love and, at odd times, real aggression, but with a sense of humor that never fades. Critic Bruce Bellingham compares her work to that of Faithful, Blondie’s Debby Harry and Nico before her involvement with The Velvet Underground.
Clara grew up in a household where she was saturated in the essence of instrumentation and true musicianship. As a solidified Jazz fan, Clara's father exposed her to the musical artistry of such industry Legends who include Zappa, The Beatles, Mahalia Jackson, Bob Dylan, Fats Waller and
Miles Davis. These experiences inspired Clara to pursue what would become her life's passion. She completed a ten year Conservatory program covering the fundamentals of Music Theory, Harmony, Piano and Tenor Recorder and is also an accomplished guitarist.
Clara performed center stage at a slew of concert and club venues along the California coastline. She played the Olympics in her hometown of Albertville, France and, from Santa Cruz to San Francisco, spent the majority of the 1990's entertaining live audiences at The Great
American Music Hall, The Paradise, and more recently at Café Du Nord in San Francisco and a fantastic performance on the last Angel Island Ferry in San Francisco Bay in 2008.
She also played benefits in Washington, D.C., Paris and for Code Pink in Berkeley, CA. Some of these benefits include Music in Schools Today, Guitars Not Guns, Beyond the Hoop, Katrina, Food Not Bombs, Toys for Tots, and the Monterey Pop Festival 40TH Anniversary with "Musicians for Peace." Clara has also worked with solid musicians including Rustee Allen (Bass), Jimi McKinney (Keyboardist) who have worked with popular artists such as Sly, the Commodores, Bobby Womack, Tower of Power, Lenny Williams etc.
In 2005, Clara released a definitive single, “Come and Stay with Me,” which was chosen to appear on an Austin-based label compilation, Juxtamusician. The following year, Clara Bellino recorded and released a twelve track studio LP, Embarcadero Love, which was recorded while Clara was living on a sailboat moored at Embarcadero Cove in the Oakland estuary of San Francisco Bay.
Over the past two years, Embarcadero Love has gone on to sell more than 2,000 copies. Already in the pre-production stages of a new single that was gifted by long-time friend Bobby Sharp (author of “Unchain My Heart”) is “Hand in Hand.” Nat King Cole was interested in this song, but fell ill before he could pursue it. It remains an unreleased classic.
Clara continues to stand out amongst the mainstream, in part to her eclectic energy, personality and ability to sing in different languages. Clara's profound talents have led her to licensing her
French material to the syndicated, television program, Nash Bridges, as well as starring as a singer in the 1993, feature film, Steal America.
What are they saying about Clara Bellino?
“Clara Bellino brings much more than her amazing vocal talent to the
stage. She also brings a sparkling personality that wraps her
sweetness, vulnerability, humor and sensuousness into one very appealing package.
She is, on large stage or small, a complete performer.” © Greg Hoffmann
“It was fantastic, really good, something about it reminded me of New Orleans. The music was interesting, relaxing, different, enjoyable, wonderful. Good time music..”
© Kathy Meadows
“Clara Bellino is a beguiling chanteuse and presents an evening of lively music including sentimental ballads. Clara is a singing goddess that brought joy to my soul. Don't miss this great talent!” © Suzanne Locke-Webb
“I had the good fortune to hear Clara Bellino sing a couple of sets of her songs the other night on the Oakland-Alameda ferry....lovely voice, wonderful music and a great performance; super-fun evening!” © Ed Jones
“Haunting. These songs lodge in your soul.” © W. Graham Claytor
“We met on the Ferry last Friday and I thought you were better than GREAT! You also have a winner smile! Lights up a room or a boat! I had a bad day before I got on the ferry and then I heard you sing and saw your smile.”
© Letitia Chigovanyika
“I would pay $80 to see Clara perform before I would pay Bob Dylan $5. If Tom Jones were playing, they'd have to share the bill!”© Maureen Ann O'Brien
If you want to hear a longer clip of each song go to http://www.clarabellino.com
Read more...