Lorenzo Bedini forms a ‘Progressive Rock Supergroup’ for Do You Wonder…? – a charity single to raise funds for Amnesty International. Ten minutes of coherent prog and a stirring statement.
LIKE A GRUESOME DISEASE
Active in music since 1980, when he formed Airbridge with fellow guitarist/keyboardist Edward Percival, bassist Sean Godfrey and drummer David Beckett, Lorenzo Bedini is a regular At The Barrier presence. He last graced these pages back in early 2025, when we were entranced by his solo album, Who Never Was, and now he’s back – and he has something very important for us.
Spurred by the increasing number of conflicts that are spreading across the world like a gruesome disease, Lorenzo has assembled a ‘Prog Supergroup’ to record and release Do You Wonder…? – to raise much-needed funds for Amnesty International. “Like the rest of civilized humanity, I was appalled by what was going on in Gaza,” says Lorenzo. “It leapt into our consciousness, remaining there during every waking minute. I only had to say ‘How are you?’ to a friend or neighbour for them to reply with: ‘Ma Dio buono! Have you seen the paper today, or listened to the news?’ Then I heard that what was going on in Sudan was even worse, and I hadn’t forgotten Ukraine, Tibet or the child slave labour in the lithium mines…”
THE ‘PROG’ SUPERGROUP
Thankfully, many of Lorenzo’s influential friends share the same outlook and were more than willing to lend their services, when Lorenzo decided it was time for him to take a piece of decisive action. And what friends they are! For Do You Wonder…?, Lorenzo is joined by Amanda Lehmann (vocals mixing and production), ex-Alex Harvey sideman Zal Cleminson (guitar solo), Billy McGonagle (rhythm guitar) and Steve ‘Fudge’ Smith (drums). He’s also managed to entice Solstice producer Andy Glass along to do a bit of mastering.
Do You Wonder…? is based around an old keyboard riff that Lorenzo has held in store for a number of years. He’s added a new chord sequence and written appropriate, topical lyrics and he’s come up with something that’s very, very, special. Indeed, if you find the idea of a 10-minute prog single daunting in any way, then it’s time to shed some inhibitions. Do You Wonder…? is a grand statement, and thoroughly, thoroughly engaging.
DO YOU WONDER HOW THEY FEEL?
Amanda’s voice is both passionate and heartfelt, as she asks the same questions: “Do you wonder what they see? Do you wonder what they feel?” of, alternately an orphaned child, a misguided soldier and, crucially, the politicians ‘in their ivory towers’ who sanction all this unrest. And her words are particularly poignant when heard along with the accompanying video…
The music is well-considered, dramatic and immaculately performed. Zal Cleminson’s guitar solo is strong and bold, Lorenzo’s bass is deep and rich, Amanda’s backing vocals are utterly sympathetic – and the band coalesce tightly around it all. Of course, songs and gestures like this one won’t put an end to the madness but every statement like this one will turn a few more heads. Listen, engage and play your part.
Watch the stirring video to Do You Wonder…? below:
Lorenzo Bedini: Website