T he show this year will be hosted by Raimondo Vianello, Veronica Pivetti, and model Eva Herzigova.
A ccording to the preliminary schedule, the first night will feature the 14 new artists and 14 champions. The 25th and 26th will feature 7 champions and 7 new artists. The fourth night will see the 14 new artists performing with final rankings for the top 3. On the 28th, all the champions plus the 3 winning new artists will perform for the final determination of the first three positions.
Peculiar results from this year's Festival. The winner was Annalisa
Minetti who also won the new singers' competition. Another newcomer, Lisa,
also finished in the top 3, and ex-Matia Bazar lead singer Antonella Ruggiero
took second place, while fighting a serious voice illness. I'd wonder if
the festival committee is going to rethink the decision to bring in the
top 3 new singers winners into the Champion's competition.
1. Annalisa Minetti, "Senza te o con te"
2. Antonella Ruggiero, "Amore Lontanissimo"
3. Lisa, "Sempre"
New Singers' Competition Winners
1. Annalisa Minetti
2. Lisa
3. Luca Sepe, "Un Po' di Te"
Critic's Award Winner (The Mia Martini award)
Avion Travel, 71 votes
Antonella Ruggiero, 27 votes
Andrea Mingardi, 9 votes
Enzo Jannacci, 7 votese
Paola Turci, 5 votes
Nuova Compagnia di Canto Popolare, 4 votes
Alex Baroni, 4 votes
Ron, 3 votes
Mango, 2 votes
Best Lyrics: Enzo Jannacci, "Quando un Musicista Ride"
Best Arrangement: Avion Travel, "Dormi e Sogna"
Best Performance: Eramo e Passavanti, "Senza Confini"
Critic's Award winner (for new artists): Eramo e Passavanti
What can be said about this festival that has not
already been written or mentioned by media outlets all over the world.
It was a very disappointing festival. As if to confirm the point,
sales of the festival compilation which are usually quite high and set
the tone for the rest of the year are at all time lows.
From my perspective, what struck me about
the festival was the lack of a memorable song. It is hard to walk
away from a musical festival without being able to hum the notes from a
few of the songs. It happened this year. With rare exceptions,
the young artists were just a blur and the established artists were mere
shadows of themselves. In fact, the festival was memorable
for helping me recollect Plato's allegory of the cave rather than musical
selections.
Please do not get me wrong... Sanremo e'
sempre Sanremo--sometimes more than others.
Part of the problem is that there was no
outstanding song to take your breath away and draw attention from the fact
that other songs are not so memorable. There was no Pausini, no Baldi/Alotta,
no controversy to keep you busy. This was a festival about music
that was and artists who are afraid sometimes to take the leap of faith
which musical evolution demands. The music may have been pleasant
enough and some songs are pulling out of the mix to well-deserved recognition,
however, that does not negate the disappointment dispensed by the festival
this year.
I have done mini reviews of some of the
pieces that struck me for reasons both good and bad. Keep in mind
that of the established artists competing, only Alex Baroni, Silvia Salemi
and Niccolo' Fabi released new albums. The rest did reissues
with one new track or a best of compilation with a smattering of new pieces,
if that many.
Ron -Un porto nel vento - This song belongs in his release
from a couple of years ago from a stylistic point.
Silvia Salemi -Pathos-I actually like both her voice
and this song.
Mango con Zenima - Luce - And is this different from
other Mango pieces?
Paola Turci - Solo come me - I like most of Paola pieces
and this is no exception. Her style and abilities have matured well
over the last few years.
Alex Baroni -Sei tu o lei- Great voice with so much potential
and a song that does not do it justice. The song is acceptable but
in it you hear so much of what Baroni can do if given the right material.
Spagna -E che mai sara'- Been there, heard that
Paola & Chiara -Per te- Appearances do count and
the first impression was not a good one. The song can grow on you
but enough with the two voices as one.
Niccolo' Fabi -Lasciarsi un giorno a Roma- I like this
one a lot. He is quite good. Let's hope his second album due
out in early April meets expectations.
Andrea Mingardi -Canto per te- See Spagna
Sergio Caputo -Flamingo- Some things are best left unsaid.
Enzo Jannaci -Quando un musicista ride- Something endearing
about his pieces.
NCCP -Sotto il velo del cielo- A nice piece but their
repertoire includes better.
Avion Travel -Dormi e sogna- Who cares if it was previously
released as an instrumental. The song is a dreamlike creation of
feeling.
Antonella Ruggiero -Amore lontanissimo- Her voice is
still wonderfully mesmerizing. The song benefits immensely from her
interpretation.
Annalisa Minetti -Senza te o con te- The song is nice
and her interpretation is on target. I am not sure, however,
that this will be one of the classics of festival history.
Eramo & Passavanti -Senza confini- They deserved
better than just the Critics' prize and that of the Giuria di Qualita'.
Wonderfully masterful vocals show much promise. The album is one
of the few musts from this festival.
All the rest--I prefer to reserve judgment for the time
being and maybe well into the future!