| 883
Luca Barbarossa |
Modena City Ramblers
Antonello Venditti |
| Francesco Baccini
Teresa De Sio |
Lisa
Piotta |
Ron
Sud Sound System |
| Fiorello
Fausto Leali |
Mango
Mario Lavezzi |
Umberto Tozzi
Festivalbar '99 |
For the last several years it has become very popular for artists to release albums that are nothing more than compilations of greatest hits with a few new songs tacked on to make the album more desirable as a sales vehicle. Just a thought for the industry: Stop it. Albums are expensive enough in Italy without the product being diluted further. I would rather pay 38,000+ lire for a much anticipated new album than fork over the same amount for two new songs and a series of pieces I already own (old arrangements and all). Of course, I suppose that the industry would not be in such dire straits if there were strong new acts to lead sales upwards. There are some new acts but they have yet to develop the sales potential or following necessary to sustain a label. Companies turn to the reliable sales leaders on a regular basis. This saps the creativity from those artists as they regularly, contractually release mirror image songs supposedly guaranteeing sales for the company and a place on the chart for themselves. Not a very promising future for Italian pop music. The cycle needs to be broken. Consumers can play a role. Do not buy counterfeit sound recordings whether on tape or cds. The huge volume of sales of counterfeit recordings hurts the companies and consumers. Companies constrained by weak sales due in part to counterfeit recording are forced to rely on the bankable stars and thus spend less on new or emerging artists. If the we promise to buy genuine product and stop the pirates perhaps we will be rewarded...at least I hope so. - Angelo
Batticuore
Here is the album that set me off to get my soapbox on record industry
woes and consumer exploitation by said industry. I am sure Fiorello
is a nice enough person, but where does the label get off deciding that
consumers would like a 1999 re-release of a 1998 album with one new song
added? On top of this bit of presumption by the label, the album
is not anything to write home about. Electronically enhanced vocals
and a repetitive audition band-like synthesized sound to provide tempo
is not my idea of a worthwhile album to have and to hold. Skip this
one completely. There is better out there (somewhere).
Leali Live
Would it surprise you to learn that this is a best of live with two
new cuts? Didn't think so. Le donne allungano la vita
and Un lungo addio are the new cuts. The rest of the album
is made up of his older works with only passing use of material from the
late 80s and 90s. Generally not a bad album for Leali fans especially for
those of his earlier works. Novices may want to play it by ear on
this one.
Visto Cosi'
My goodness, what a novel concept...a cd with only 2 new songs and
14 previously released cuts with slightly updated arrangements. As
Yogi said, "It's deja vu all over again." Why am I not surprised or impressed?
Mango releases a greatest hit album with two new songs which generally
follow his stylistic mold of medium tempo songs with a touch of pop. Amore
per te, which is actually the better of the two cuts, and
Non dormire
piu' are the new additions to an album that contains his standard classics.
Somehow I thought he recently did a best of...or maybe I am confusing him
with the other artists who have taken me down this same road.
Senza Catene
Oh my, what a surprise...a best of album with two new songs...what
a novel concept. Did I mention the distinct feeling of deja vu I
got this year? Most of the pieces presented in the album are duets
with artists like Luca Carboni, Lucio Dalla, Ornella Vanoni, Riccardo Cocciante
and Raf. Of the new cuts, Senza catene with Spagna has to be my favorite.
Overall, I enjoyed the album even if I already have all of Lavezzi's previous
albums. This is a good way for novices to discover one of Italy's
best song writers who is also able to sing with the best of them.
The sound is usually a sort of mellow to moderate pop. Fans may want to
wait especially if they already have the various pieces in there collections.
Besides, I am sure Senza Catene will turn up on another collection
somewhere.
Bagaglio a mano
It is only because I like Tozzi better than Fiorello that I will give
him the benefit of the doubt and review this album which contain 13 newly
arranged re-releases and 2 new songs. Tozzi's version of Italian
pop/rock can be addictive at times. His old pieces have been dusted
off and such classics as the ubiquitous Ti amo actually do sound reworked
and just a little more mellow and mature. Of the two new pieces on
the album, Conchiglia di diamante is my preferred cut for its classic
Tozzi pop sound. Other cuts on the album include Tu, Gli
altri siamo noi, Gloria, Gente di mare and Si puo'
dare di piu'. If you are a Tozzi fan you may want the album to
hear what he has done with the classics. Those interested in sampling
his music may find this a satisfactory way to start. There are other
best of Tozzi collections out there. And I am not yet certain I like
the new arrangements which seem to take just a little away from his earlier
style.
FestivalBar 99
This compilation comes in two double cd versions, rossa and blu.
The american music forms the majority of the contents, but there are several
italian songs thrown into the mix. If you are in Italy during the
summer and keep hearing certain songs, it is likely you will find them
on these albums. Your best bet is to take a look at the contents
of each and decide which one satisfies your musical needs. It may
very well be that you will need both. If you want to avoid buying the artists'
separate albums this is one way to have a sampler to remind you about the
Summer of '99.
Nostra Signora Degli Autogrill
Believe it or not, an album I actually enjoyed. Francesco Baccini
has been on and off my radar screen for some time. I have not found
past albums consistent and the music was generally not something you might
hear on the radio with rare exception. However, this album has something
for everybody. It is fun and serious while drifting from ballads
to pop to soft to boisterous with ease and a perfect sense of timing.
Enjoy pieces like "Preghierina", "Quand'e' che mi dici si", "Tu che
prima o poi cadrai", "Ballata di un ragazzo qualunque" and "Fratelli
di blues." If you are looking to try Baccini for the first time
then take the plunge with this album. Fans will not want to miss
this cd as it is probably one of his best collections to date.
La Notte del Dio che Balla
This is one of those concept albums that draws you in and leaves you
satisfied with a sense of having discovered something you almost do not
want to share with anyone else. The cd is a celebration of the traditions
tied to southern Italy. The emphasis is on Puglia and the Tarantata
but there are other tradition based pieces as well. Most of the album
is in dialect and done by bands you may not be familiar with (yet).
There is experimentation and the linking of old traditions with new musical
concepts...and it works most of the time. World music fans can revel
in this discovery as the journey between past and present blurs in a celebration
of folklore and traditions. Some of the cuts are livelier than others
and you will have a difficult time keeping your feet still for "Pizzica
Tarantata", "Il Ballo di S. Vito" and "Tarantella Calabrese".
L'essenziale
Just like the title suggests, this is an essential album for sampling
an emerging female artist who is beginning to hit her stride. Granted
that this is not a perfect album, but it does show some good promise in
the mellow/pop category. The cd is characterized by strong vocals
which draw you into the songs. After a summer filled with best of
compilations, Lisa is a welcome breath of fresh air. "L'essenziale",
"Semplicemente", "Cosi' non va", "Sara' domani" and "Lieto fine"
are among my favorite cuts.
If her talent continues to develop and she fulfills the promise of this album, at least you will be able to say you read it here first. If you enjoy female vocalists that deliver a sound that touches pop but resides in the italian melodic tradition, buy the album. I make this recommendation for veterans of italian music and those new to the scene. I do not think you will be disappointed in the money spent on this cd.
Communque vada sara' un successo
This Roman rapper is the sensation of summer '99 with his delightful
songs which entertain you with their wording and insight. The genre
is rap with a spaghetti twist. The cut "Supercafone" has ignited
aeries of articles and features in Italy about being, not being, acting
or not acting like a true cafone. The national debate centers around
one song and people actually take sides on the issue. Amazing.
Back to the music. Hard to say if this is a passing fad a or a trend
to a hard rapper than let's say Articolo 31 or Gemelli Diversi. I enjoyed
a few of the songs but certainly not a majority of the 19 cuts. You
may give in to your curiosity or just wait for the single.
Adesso
I really wanted to like and enjoy this album. Alas, it was not
to be. In fact, underwhelmed is a better way to characterize my reception
of Ron's latest effort. The album is well produced, the song technically
well written, but it is just not happening. There is a spark missing
that moves the album from the 'oh yeah' category to the 'YES!' must have
category. I would advise all but die hard fans to pass on this one
and look to some of his previous releases for satisfaction.
Reggae Party
Buy the album, thank me later. That is if you enjoy the sound of the
dialect of the Puglia region set to a reggae beat. This is probably
one of SSS's best works to date. The songs have the effect of both
mesmerizing you and having you sing along to the refrain (even if you have
no idea about the actual lyrics). The songs vary in reggae beat intensity
from a ballad like structure to a fast, frolicking, fun filled celebration
of sound. Fans must buy the album as it is exceptional. Novices
may decide that the world music aspect is simply too enticing to pass up.
Give in to your curiosity and sample the works of Sud Sound System.
Among my favorite cuts were "Na sciurnata bona", "Reggae party", "Nu
pe sciocu", "Se precia", "Lento" and "Cerca intra lu core" (with
the assistance of the band Africa Unite).
Grazie Mille
Max does it again. How he does it is a mystery. 883 turns
out another good album destined to top the charts. The beat is turned
down a few notches and the songs tend to have a softer, more mature side,
but the trademark vocals and ability to communicate to a wide audience
in music remain. I can recommend this album to those familiar or
unfamiliar with the groups previous works. How can I say bad
things about an album that comes with 3-D glasses and a cd-rom packed with
more material. Actually, the album does stand strong on its own without
the add-ons. Favorites include: "Grazie mille", "La regina della
celebrita"'," Le luci di natale", "Nient'altro che noi", "Viaggio al centro
del mondo", "Tenendomi (You needed me)","Dopo il solito bip" and "Tutto
cio' che ho". A good, solid performance that should be added
to your collections.
Musica e parole
Luca is back! Luca is back! And there is good reason to be happy!!
Luca Barbarossa released his first new album in years and the wait was
more than worth it. For those of you who know his music, it goes
without saying that his songs have a way of capturing moods, dreams and
emotions and turning them into marvelous jewels. The general tone
of the album tends to a soft to medium beat with a few rockier ballads
thrown in for good measure. Among my favorites: "Come si dice
ti amo," "Tutto quello che so","Domani, "Stella segreta","Il fiume", "Musica
e parole" and "Italiani d'america". It goes without saying
that fans should snap this new release right up and revel in the return
of Barbarossa. For those waiting to discover Barbarossa, now is your
moment. Do not hesitate to add this one to your list.
Fuori Campo
Another amazingly good album from MCR. Their evolution from a
celtic sound to one that borders on world music is exceptional. The
album has enough variations and nuances to satisfy a variety of musical
tastes. The haunting ballads with their subtle sounds that seem to
permeate you like the morning fog on a fall day in Modena leave you dazzled
while the songs such as Etnica danza envelop you in a musical frenzy.
The album improves each time you listen. Not to be missed are Etnica
danza, Fuori campo, Celtica patchanka, Coi piedi per terra, Il vagabondo
stanco, La rumba, Movimento and L'uomo delle pianure.
This is an absolute must for fans and highly recommended purchase for those
who want to discover MCR. The quality and complexity will not leave you
wanting.
Goodbye Novecento
To say that a number of songs do not sound like something you have
heard before from Venditti would be a wrong. To say that Venditti
has returned to a familiar sound while expressing himself with some new
variations and experimentation would be a better description. Overall,
I enjoyed the album although I feel he has more in him. This is one
I would put on the buy list as Venditti approaches his first new album
in years with a level of enthusiasm not seen in a while. Among my
favorites were Goodbye Novecento, Shake, In questo mondo che non puo'
capire, Su questa nave chiamata musica (dedicated to Fabrizio De Andre')
and V.A.S.T. Fans will enjoy the album and novices should find Venditti
in top form in a variety of styles.