Zappacosta Classics - Once Upon A Time

A-Zee Records Releases Zappacosta Classics - Zappacosta Looks Back To "Once Upon A Time" The name Alfie Zappacosta evokes a different set of memories for many fans of his music. It just depends on what stage of his career you found him in. Nationally, it is Alfie's 1980's chart toppers like "Nothing Can Stand In Your Way" and "We Should Be Lovers", globally, Zappacosta is recognized for his contribution to the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack (Overload). For some, it is his acting roles in Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar and for others it is his penchant for romance and sophisticated lyrics that has his audience from yesterday and today tuning in. It would be a fair assertion to say that Zappacosta's career has endured its share of ups and downs. "I started out in a group called Surrender, we recorded our debut album, and at that time we were five guys who were going to take on the world", reflected Zappacosta. "We were managed by Ken Morris and published by Frank Davies. Frank and a then an up and coming Deane Cameron, who eventually became the president of the EMI, helped us get our first recording deal with Capital/EMI. The music didn't get any traction and a few months later, Frank introduced me to Bruce Allen and Lou Blair and we signed a new management deal. What was supposed to be a joint management team would end up becoming a solo effort with Lou Blair. "After Lou decided to manage us, it was pretty evident he was more interested in me than the whole group", recalls Zappacosta. "I was the band's lead singer, I wrote the songs, and it was my publishing so it just evolved that Lou would focus on me." Under Lou's direction, Zappacosta's self-titled solo album(1984) produced two huge hit singles; `We Should Be Lovers' and `Passion'which were recognized with the reception of two JUNO Awards. "Lou recognized that I was a creative songwriter, but as a performer he didn't know what to do with me. He was used to working with artists like Loverboy and Bryan Adams who he could put on a tour with ZZ Top and such. He kept telling me I should be more like Julio Iglesias!" The team forged onward and Zappacosta released a second album A-Z in 1986, which featured two more hits `Nothing Can Stand In Your Way' and `When I Fall In Love Again'. Yet this was not enough to impress EMI Records, who dropped him from their roster. Ironically, this snub came just as Zappacosta was starring in the role of Che Guevara in a Halifax Nova Scotia production of Evita at the city's Neptune Theatre. "I was upset that EMI dropped me but I realized I had other career options", shrugged Zappacosta. "So next thing I know I'm tackling songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber" Ironically, EMI's rejection came as Zappacosta was learning that one of his compositions; `Overload' was being included in the Dirty Dancing movie sound track, which sold a few million copies and put an American Music Award on Alfie's mantle. Buoyed by this success, Alfie expanded on his song writing skills and took his live performance out of his comfort zone. His new direction as a smooth artist would see the departure of Lou as his manager and Zappacosta would fly solo. Alfie would begin to produce the music he wanted to write and perform. He enrolled in voice lessons with the renowned David Dunbar and began to develop the lower range of his baritone voice. "In the early rock days, you had to belt out songs over screaming crowds and amplifiers to even hear yourself through the monitors", recalls Zappacosta. "If I was going to sing this new music I was writing, I had to master technique and truly sing, not just scream which was what the music called for at the time. I never liked it, it was not me. It was an image created for me." And take control of his voice he did. The studying revealed a rich and sultry tone and style can be found on the seven recordings he has delivered since then arousing a new legion of fans that are predominately female and faithfully committed to his music. Yet Zappacosta is aware of an existing nostalgia movement in classic pop/rock which continues to shed interest in his catalog. Alfie's latest release "Once Upon A Time" delivers on the demand for his classic material. This 17-track recording traces back to songs from Surrender all the way up his first independent release in 1990, "Quick...Don't Ask Any Questions. When asked by fans if he will put the old band together and tour this project? Alfie replies, "I already have of some of these songs in my repertoire and I have added a few more with the release of this recording. They are presented differently as I now strap on a classical guitar instead of an electric. As for reuniting Surrender to tour...Zappacosta just smiles as says, "It's not me anymore, but if the demand is truly there....show me the tour and the BIG MONEY" Alfie Zappacosta"Once Upon A Time" available at www.iamzappacosta.com