This page will mainly deal with the traditional Maltese Ghana Music (pronounced "Anah"). You will find some information on Maltese music in Australia as well as accounts of my visits to Malta in search of more information. You will discover guitarists (kitarristi) and folk singers (ghannejja) and images of my musical adventures in researching the subject. While my interest in Ghana music dates back to early childhood, I started my serious research over seventeen years ago. I hope this website will help you share my journey.
Articles in English Articles in Maltese Contributions Photogallery Links email: manniec@manuelcasha.com myspace
Pinu Baldacchino R.I.P.
It is with great sadness that this page announces the passing of Pinu Baldacchino, who was prim kitarrist who gave a significant contribution in his time in Australia as a prim kitarrist and guitar builder.
In the last forty years he accompanied some of the best local and visiting ghannejja. Pinu has had unique style which stands out from the other Folk guitarists. This could partially be attributed to the way he tuned his guitar which is a little different to Prejjem tuning.
Pinu Baldacchino arrived in Australia in the 1950's and lived in Altona, in Melbourne's western suburbs. His skills as a carpenter helped him experiment with guitar building and had a collection of guitars spread around Melbourne among the ghana dilettantes and has a few others still in the workshop. But apart from being a carpenter Pinu was an all round tradesman and was able to tackle most jobs to do with contruction.
In my interviews with him he recalled how he got into the Ghana scene as a guitarist and the influence and encouragement he received from Guzeppi Scerri 'it-Toto' who was responsible for Pinu's career.
Pinu recalls the music he heard when he was growing up at the village of Imqabba. The music was a mixture of influences which apart from ghana also included Italian Stornelli. This mixture of music, the latter more than anything, helped him form his style.
In my discussions with him he always recalled many names from the early years of the Ghana scene in Australia . He has known and accompanied many of the great names. He has also played with the best we have had in Australia.
Pinu Baldacchino will be sadly missed by the ghana community in Australia while he will always be remembered for helping to write a chapter of when Ghana music was at its best and greatest.
Pinu's Guitars
May he rest in peace.
Manuel
