This month we will put aside our usual mix of record reviews to spend a little time talking about Sanremo 1999.  Sanremo is the annual Italian musica festival held each year in the seaside town of Sanremo.  The event draws media coverage from all over the world and provides a look at singers new and old.

After last year's rather anemic collection of not quite hits and forgettable musical efforts by most of the stars, I almost decided not to attend the festival.  But like a moth to a flame, I am drawn by the hope of experiencing another Pausini.  There is something about the festival's excitement and hype that seldom permit you to turn your back on its offerings.  And Italians, no matter how much they claim to not watch the festival, are drawn to it with equal passion.

This year's festival, on paper, holds a lot of promise.  The singers include Al Bano, Nino D'Angelo, Di Cataldo, Finardi, Gragnaniello, Grignani, Nada, Nava, Oxa, Panceri, Rei, Antonella Ruggiero, Daniele Silvestri and gli Stadio.  A few words about these artists (in no particular order).  Grignani started his career at the festival with much promise and then took a decidedly bizarre career turn by producing two albums which were disappointing.  Finardi is one of the classic rockers of Italian music who has mellowed and aged quite well based on his last two or three albums.  Stadio is one of my favorite groups.  While their albums do not overwhelm, they manage to produce quite a few good, solid songs per release.  Gatto Panceri is perhaps one of the best young wordsmiths and singers on the scene today.  His first Sanremo experience several years ago resulted in early elimination.  Since that time he has written for some of the brightest stars and produced two fantastic albums:  Stellina and Impronte Digitale.  Oxa is, well, Oxa.  The last time she appeared at the festival, I thought she deserved to win based solely on the emotive power she put into her performance of an excellent song. She is a seasoned performer with excellent abilities.
Di Cataldo has made quite a name for himself with good songs and a easy style that captures young and old.  Nada...I remember her from the days of Amore Disperato (1983).  I am curious to see her perform after all these years.  Mariella Nava was magnificent when she last appeared a few years ago with Terra Mia.  She continues to perform and write songs for others.  Her renditions contain a heartfelt, knowing voice.  I look forward to hearing her again.  Daniele Silvestri is an interesting performer who is not considered mainstream.  The song he performed at his last appearance at the festival was quite unique and deserving of more recognition.  Antonella Ruggiero has one of the most beautiful and versatile voices on the scene today as she proved last year. She took a so-so song and vocally crafted it into a strong contender.  Marina Rei emerged from the festival a few years ago and has built a solid career with good albums which tap a rich, soulful vein.

The contenders among the new artists are quite interesting.  While I am not as familiar with their works, some have already released albums.  Featured this year are Alex Britti, Allegra, Arianna, Boris, Daniele Groff, Dr. Livingstone, Elena Cataneo, Filippa Giordano, Francesca Chiaro, Irene Lamedica, Leda Battisti, Max Gazze', Quinto Rigo and Soerba.
Britti created the tormentone dell'estate with Solo una volta (o tutta la vita), a song that had the right words and a simple lyrical refrain that found its way into the mouths of italians everywhere.  His album will be reviewed next month.
Daniele Groff is actually british-italian if memory serves me correctly.  He too has been on the charts with his first album.  His style is a sort of brit rock/pop.  Album review next month.
While I have not listened to Filippa Giordano, I do know that her training is classic in nature and that she sings opera.  There was talk of her as a sort of female Bocelli.
Leda Battisti is a relative of the late Lucio Battisti.  I was not that impressed with her first effort which I found stylistically mired in a melodic rut.  Good vocals but the songs could have been better.
Max Gazze' is quite a good artist and has scored success with his song with Nicolo Fabi Il vento d'estate.  He also released an album which is quite good.  Full review upcoming.  Soerba is a duo that got quite a bit of airtime in 1998 with their song I am so happy.  Their Sanremo song should prove to be both fun and interesting.

We shall see how it all turns out over the course of the five days of the event.  In March we will feature some reviews and impressions of the festival.  Wish me luck and let's hope I don't get too close to the flame.