Motivo su raggio di luna
"Motivo su raggio di luna" is a 1962 jazz song composed by Chet Baker. The song was released as a single in 1962 in Italy.[1][2]
![](../I/m/RCA_Motivo_su_raggio_di_luna_45.jpg)
Background
"Motivo su raggio di luna" or "Contemplate on a moonbeam" was released in Italy as a 45 picture sleeve single by RCA Records in June, 1962 as 45-3080 in mono backed with "Il mio domani".[3] The track was recorded during the Chet Is Back! sessions for RCA in Rome at RCA's studios in the spring of 1962. Ennio Morricone was the conductor and arranger. The choir on the session is The Swingers. The track was released as a bonus track on the Chet is Back! CD release by RCA in 2003 in the U.S.[4] Chet Baker plays the trumpet and also sings on the track. The song was only released in Italy as a vinyl 7" 45 picture sleeve single. The lyrics are in Italian. Chet Baker composed the music. Alessandro Maffei wrote the lyrics. Maffei also wrote the lyrics to "So che ti perdero", "il mio domani", and "Chetty's Lullaby". The song was written while Chet Baker was incarcerated in Italy.
The recording was also featured on the 1999 compilation box set The Ennio Morricone Chronicles on BMG International.
In August, 1960, Chet Baker was arrested in Lucca, Italy. He was convicted of drug smuggling and forgery and sentenced to a year, seven months, and ten days in a Lucca prison. When he was released early, in December, 1961, RCA Italiana organized collaborative sessions with composer, arranger, and conductor Ennio Morricone. In 1962, they recorded four of Chet Baker's own compositions that he wrote while incarcerated: "Chetty's Lullaby", "So che ti perderò", "Il mio domani", and "Motivo su raggio di luna".
The recording also appeared on the 2014 collection Chet Baker Sings - The Complete 1953-62 Vocal Studio Recordings on Valentine Records and the 2010 Sony album The Perfect Jazz Collection.[5]
Other Recordings
Sue Richardson recorded the song on the 2013 Chet Baker tribute album Too Cool: The Life and Music of Chet Baker on Splash Point.
References
Sources
- Baker, Chet. As Though I Had Wings: The Lost Memoir. St. Martin's Press, 1997.
- De Valk, Jeroen. Chet Baker: His Life and Music. Berkeley Hills Books, 2000.
- Gavin, James. Deep in a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker. 2011.
- Rouy, Gérard. Chet Baker. Paris: Editions du limon, 1992.
- Ruddick, Matthew. Funny Valentine: The Story of Chet Baker. Melrose Books, 2012.