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You can add Francesca Beghe Live to the list of the greatest live albums of all time. I have no qualms adding this 14-track gem to a list that includes Johnny Cash’s At Folsom Prison, Peter Frampton’s Frampton Comes Alive, Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged – any audiophile would be ecstatic to have this live album in their collection. Possessing a voice that is both modest and mighty, Beghe’s strength is her vulnerability and connection to the live audience, as well as the listener. You can’t fake that in a studio – nor can the live stage deny that from a talented artist.
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To say Beghe took her time in getting to the stage to perform these songs is an understatement. Pre-pandemic 2019 and 2020, she returned to the stage after a 20-year hiatus. That’s how long it had been since she’d been in front of a full band. Her backing band, a who’s who of adult contemporary, pop legends, rock legends, jazz and blues players are Tony Garnier (Bob Dylan), Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel), Marc Shulman (Suzanne Vega), Daniel A Weiss (Joan Osborne), Zev Katz (Ben Harper), Diane Garisto (Paul Simon) and Emily Bindiger (Carol King). Beghe proves why she’s the one behind the microphone and more than presents a live concert event.
The first single that she released is “Trust In Me”. Along with co-writers Charlie Midnight and Marc Swersky, this song came about 30 years ago and would go on to be covered by the legendary Joe Cocker and Sass Jordan on the biggest selling soundtrack of all time, The Bodyguard. This live cut fuels the heart and the mind. If you need someone to hold ya, sings Beghe. She continues, call me, I’ll be there, and if ever you’re in trouble, and you need someone darlin’, call me, call me, call me, call me. You can hear the audience in these songs and I have to imagine the room just being transfixed by Beghe’s emotive delivery. This song is such a wonderful encapsulation of love, friendship and trust.
Some other songs that I’d like to mention include the comforting “Little One”, vintage jazz sounding “Dreamworld” and a cover of the Talking Heads’ “Listening Wind”. While it’s a political song – fittingly for what’s been happening the past few years, Beghe actually covered this track, too, in the 2006 Dreamworld release. I also really enjoyed the last song, “People Have The Power”. I wasn’t as familiar with this, but then fell down the rabbit hole and discovered it’s also a cover of the Patti Smith tune. Smith released the song in 1988 – another interesting tidbit and modern times tie-in. Beghe doesn’t disappoint with the cover, and she takes the reins from Smith with dignity. Her rendition is quite beautiful and poignant.
Beghe is from New York City. Her other album releases include Francesca Beghe (1991) and 2006’s Dreamworld. Her songs have also appeared on Joe Cocker’s Unchain My Heart (1987), Fernando Saunders’ Come a Little Closer (1993) and The Fire Keeps Burning (1993), Irma Thomas’ The Story of My Life (1997) and Kimberly Scott’s 1998 self-titled.
Jennifer Munoz
