Michéal Castaldo, known for his crossover Italian ballads and Italian versions of popular hits from various genres, has turned his attention to a classic of American rock, the Eagles’ “Hotel California.” The fresh interpretation in the Calabrian Language pays homage to the original influences of the song. As fans of the Eagles well know, the working title of the demo was “Mexican Reggae.”
“My Calabrian translation remains true to the meter, rhyme, and beat of the original,” says Castaldo. “The remix dance groove highlights the Reggaeton beat of the original song and brings out the flamenco flavors even more,” he adds. Featured during the bridge is the Andalusian Cante Flamenco vocalist Alfonso Mogaburo Cid.
Michéal stands on the shoulders of Sting’s work with French-Algerian vocalist Cheb Mami on the song Desert Rose, Peter Gabriel’s work with Pakistani Qawwali vocalist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and Hans Zimmer’s work with Australian Glossolalia vocalist Lisa Gerrard on the Gladiator Soundtrack.
The Calabrian Language
Italy is made up of 20 regions and each region has its own language. When the regions/kingdoms were unified in 1861, the Florentine language was chosen to be the official Italian language.
“My recording of popular American songs in Calabrian is my way of preserving the language,” notes Castaldo. “My hope is that those who know and love “Hotel California” will enjoy my interpretation and will learn a little bit of my beautiful native language in the process.”
About the Artist
Michéal Castaldo was born in Reggio Calabria, Italy and immigrated to Canada with his family when he was a young boy. He studied music at Berklee College of Music in Boston. As a vocalist, he has toured North America and Europe, including performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Rainbow Room, Shea Stadium, Toronto’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and Italy’s Teatro F. Cilea and Pescara Opera House.
Michéal’s work stands on the shoulders of distinct projects such as Sting’s work with French-Algerian vocalist Cheb Mami on the song Desert Rose, Peter Gabriel’s work with Pakistani Qawwali vocalist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and Hans Zimmer’s work with Australian Glossolalia vocalist Lisa Gerrard on the Gladiator Soundtrack.
Credits: “Hotel California” was written by Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey. Calabrian lyrics were by Michele Castaldo. It was produced by Stein Berge Svendsen and Michéal Castaldo. The Remix Digi release of “Hotel California” is credited to Lil Hamslice x DJ MC Cell, with engineering by Jon Gordon and Steve Addabbo. Flamenco Guitar accompaniment was performed by Italian musician Francesco Grant Energipsy.
The “Hotel California” remix is available at digital online music e-tail stores worldwide and to stream on Spotify, Amazon, iTunes, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, and YouTube.
Video Promo Link: https://youtu.be/IBD8MbAa0zc
Follow Michéal Castaldo on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/Follow-Castaldo-Spotify
For further information and to book Michéal and his La Dolce Vita Band, contact: Majestic Castle Music Productions at [email protected] or call toll free at 877-642-7271
