" Arianna "
As I listen to this cd and the song she performed at Sanremo '99, I
actually find myself liking it a little more. My initial reaction
was one of disappointment since the track from Sanremo, C'e' che ti
amo, is actually quite good in that it demonstrates a certain depth
in her range and maturity in presentation. Other favorites include
La
solita storia, E' tutto ok and Lui. The rest
of the album is a tad too slow and mellow for my tastes but it will appeal
to those who enjoy a softer version of Italian music. This is one album
that is a personal call...I would tend to call it a buy.
" Leda Battisti "
I just do not get it. While I find the voice interesting for
a song or two, after awhile I feel like I am stuck in some sort of musical
deja vu. I cannot distinguish one song form the other on this album
except for the Sanremo song which I actually enjoyed and which seems to
stand out from the remainder of the album. I am afraid I have to
give Leda Battisti a pass for the time being. Maybe I need to go
back and relisten to the album...isn't that what deja vu is all about?
" it.pop "
Alex Britti first rocketed into the pop charts last summer with the
'tormentone d'estate' Solo una volta (o tutta la vita). The
song has just the right musical mix to keep the refrain spinning in your
head. He released an album towards the latter part of 1998 which
contained the summer hit and new songs. He capped his rise by winning
the new artist category at Sanremo '99. Not too shabby! When
I first listened to the album, I was a little put off because I was expecting
to be more like the summer hit. However, after repeatedly playing
it, I must say that I enjoy the album as a mellow blend of blues and soft
funk with a little dash of pop. Besides the winning song at Sanremo,
favorites include Gelido, Solo una volta, Se non ci sei, Jazz, Fatemi
Sapzio and Nomi. If you want to try something new that
will grow on you and you enjoy songs that tend towards a blues influence,
then add this cd to your collection. The cd makes a nice, sublime listen.
" il parco dei sogni "
I am still up in the air about Francesca. Her album is a mix
of ballads and heavier rock with only a tinge of pop. Not sure I
like the harder material. However, she does have a great voice which
may make the album worth the investment if you want to enter unchartered
waters. She reminds me a little of Loredana Berte' with a softer
touch to the vocals. Ti amo che strano is the song she presented
at Sanremo and it is one of my favorites form the album. I also liked
Guarda
in su and L'onda (which are her softer cuts). The more
I listen to the album the more I like it...I was a little put off by the
first two tracks and was not sure what to expect. Ultimately, I would
have to rate it a decent possibility for those who want to explore and
a wait hear more for others.
" Come un gelato all'equatore "
Pino Daniele strikes again with an album that manages to combine his
traditional neapolitan blues style with hip hop and electronic trends in
music with excellent results. This album should please fans old and
new because of its roots in the traditional while reaching out to and incorporating
world view of music. Add this one to the list as a must for Daniele
fans and those eager to discover one of the most enduring artists on the
modern scene. If I started to list the songs on the album..it would
have to be all twelve! Enjoy pieces like Alibi perfetto, Neve
al sole, Cosa penserai di me and Viaggio senza ritorno.
Do not miss this album it is part of a string of successful albums from
Daniele in the past few years. His music manages to be intricately
subtle as you journey from Italy to areas throughout the Mediterranean.
" In Concerto "
This is the last album scheduled for release prior to the death of
Fabrizio De Andre'. It was actually scheduled to come out earlier
but was delayed by his illness. The album represents one of the rare
concert albums by this under-appreciated artist. De Andre' was terrified
of public concert appearances and limited them accordingly. This
album contains 15 songs from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. Recent
newspaper articles in Italy point out that De Andre' is being discovered
by more and more people after his death. His common language, highly
structured songs and celebration of the individual are finding an expanded
audience. Please do not pass up this album. It is a work of
love and a magnificent way to end a career. This cd is for both fans
and newcomers. You will not be disappointed in the broad range of
songs and the masterful performance. The first printing of the concert
video and cd sold out within in days in Italy, no small feat and a testament
the quality of his work.
Read Angelo's tribute to DeAndre
" Dieci "
When I first saw the new haircut and look I wondered if Massimo had
a few too many fish and chips during a recent visit to England. Why
does an Italian artist who wants to gain a following wrap himself in the
look of british rock/pop stars? Add to this the song he presented at Sanremo
which was rather weak stylistically based on his past efforts and I was
tempted not to buy the album. However, I decided to give him the
benefit of the doubt...and am glad I did. The album was much better
than expected. The first cut, Non ci perderemo mai is in keeping
with the traditional DiCataldo sound and sets the tone for most of the
cd. Solo se ci sei tu, Perdutamente, Torna and Pensa
ancora a me retain a rockier note while the rest of the album is definitely
softer to gentle pop in structure. Overall, I enjoyed the album and
rate it a good one for his fans to add to their collections. However,
for those just finding DiCataldo, try his previous albums which I think
offer more musical strength.
" Passioni "
I was very disappointed in this cd. After her performance at
the festival (Un giorno in piu'), I was expecting much more from
an artist touted as the female Bocelli. The album is a mix of opera
pieces and american tunes which just seems to fall short of satisfying
the listener. This, I am a afraid, is one you can skip over until
we see a more consistent performance from her.
" Girasole "
I very much enjoyed this album. It combines Giorgia's great vocal
abilities with some strong songs that run the range from pop to funk/soul
to soft ballads. The title track grabs your attention from the start
and sets the mood for a joyous musical journey that does not disappoint.
My favorites include Girasole, Io come te, Tradirefare, E' la verita',
Dicembre and What is love. Both fans and those just
discovering Giorgia's performing and writing skills should put this one
on the 'must' list. Do not miss the opportunity to hear one of the
finest young voices in Italy.
" Variato 22 "
Daniele was one of the new artists at Sanremo and he premiered his
song Adesso. Variato 22 had actually been released last fall
and I held off reviewing it until after the festival. I don't know...I
am could between ambivalence and indifference. The songs are a nice
mix of british influenced pop/rock with heavy emphasis on the guitar.
However, the album does not impress me enough to recommend it as a buy.
If you want to try something new and extra money to burn, give it a whirl.
However, there are other albums out there you may be happier trying.
This is not to say that Groff will not find an audience, but rather that
it is still somewhat limited at this time.
" Guccini Live Collection " (an recent oldie but goodie, from
1998)
This two cd set is a must for the Guccini fan who has everything but
wants more. The cuts are generally taken from several live albums
to produce a live album that captures all his best works in one set.
Guccini is one of my favorites from the first time I heard the song Eskimo
almost 20 years ago. The old and new are mixed well together so that
you get an almost complete picture of Guccini's marvelous ability to create
a musical masterpiece from the shortest story or idea. His ballads
capture your attention then your heart for the simple yet truthful stories
they capture. I have almost everything he has produced but I would
not be without this latest collection. It is a must for fans and
those wishing to discover one of the great cantautori.
" Lorenzo 1999 Capo Horn"
Okay, I listened to this cd a few times and I still do not get it.
I generally like Jovanotti's material. His last few albums have been
exquisite. However, I am not finding this album to be that
satisfying. Not to say that it is not good. It is an interesting
blend of musical styles with some particularly good songs like Per te,
La vita nell'era spaziale and Non e' ancora finita. This
is more of an album for the fans who enjoy his journey and the resulting
musical tracks. Look to his two previous albums to discover what
he can accomplish.
" Live Acustico al Sisten Irish Pub "
For those of you familiar with the Ramblers (MCR), you will not be
disappointed. MCR presents irish style music in italian and in the
dialect of Modena. The sound reminiscent of folk which ranges from
the mournful to the celebratory while always imparting a story of some
sort. The venue for this recording is a small pub in Italy.
The intimacy and personalized nature of the performance shines through
on this cd. The album contains some of their hits mixed with some
new pieces. MCR fans will want to add this cd to their collections
without delay. For the uninitiated, the album is a nice revelation.
Another of their albums worth exploring is the "La Grande Famiglia" cd
which contains, I believe, some of their best work to date.
" Leia "
Here is one for you, I am writing this review as I listen to this wonderful
disc of which I cannot understand a single word! I Muvrini are a
band from Corsica. Their music is influenced by the entire Mediterranean
region. The words are in Corsican dialect with touches of french
and what looks to be italian or sardinian dialect. If you are a fan
of world music and are willing to experiment...go for it. You will
be very pleasantly surprised at the multitude of sounds and beauty of the
pieces. Sting even make an appearance for the groups version of Fields
of gold (Terre d'oru). Enter skeptical but leave with a new discovery
tucked safely in your musical memory. I Muvrini are a buy for all
fans. And I still cannot figure out what they are singing about.
" Sabato 17:45 "
I liked Paolo Vallesi when he first started out with his sound and
songs like Piramidi di luna and Le amiche. After that he had a few
goods albums but seemed to otherwise fade into a musical malaise of mediocrity.
I had some high hopes when I saw his latest release on store shelves.
Unfortunately, I am not convinced. Don't get me wrong, the album
certainly displays a sense of maturity in the sound and text of the songs.
However, there is something that does not work for me. There are
a few good songs that I did enjoy like Canto cosi, L'amore e' un fiore
and Le parole. Look to some of his earlier works to see what made
him so popular early in his career. This is an album for fans who
enjoy his vocal abilities and are not afraid to follow the musical evolution
of Vallesi.
" Amore Dopo Amore Tour Dopo Tour "
This Zero's latest cd which is a compilation of works (some live) old
and new. I have grown to like his music and style more and more over
the last few years. This album is a fine effort which allows some
listeners to discover and others to relive in the form of a double cd with
20 cuts. This album is a must for fans and a recommendation for those
seeking a well-balanced sample of his works. New pieces include Si
sta facendo notte, Che strano gioco e', Al buio and Il circo.