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Rating: Enchanting evening offered to us by the Galleria of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Messina.
Agghiastru divides his show into four blocks. The first one where he talks about love gone wrong. The second, that of the shaman in the Sicilian desert. Then comes the storyteller, and finally the life that ended worse than the love gone wrong at the beginning. But let's get into the details of the evening.
"La Galleria" is a beautiful place. It exudes an ancient feel and welcomes the cracks of the human soul, especially those that will be echoed tonight by the dim light of the now-mythical table lamp placed on the piano. Agghiastru introduces with a faint voice "l'Incantu". On stage, besides him, is Franco Barbata on bass, guitar, and percussion. The musical presentation tonight showcases, under the branches of the wild olive tree, the duo formation. Inviting the audience to clap and keep the tempo with their hands, the song that breaks the ice and projects us into the actual 'musical storytelling' is "Fuì". Following closely is "Idda", supported by a drum machine, performed live for the first time. This is a first novelty of the show that, despite the contraption, wins everyone over with its sensual progression. Let's clarify right away that most of the pieces are performed with just piano and bass, but occasionally some light electronic drums, guitars, and percussion appear. The sky of lightbulbs is lit, also mythical, and it's time for introductions. The songs from the first record ‘Incantu’ follow: "Rosa", "la Stanza", "Carennu". A special mention goes to "Fiori d'Arancio e Crisantemi", a poignant intimate interpretation with a wonderful piano inspired by the film 'Sedotta e Abbandonata'.
In "Unià" the tolls of the death knell resound. Franco Barbata moves to the drums, thus closing the first block. The audience appreciates the performance and is often pleasantly puzzled because it has well understood that Agghiastru's show loves to reveal different surprises over time. And indeed. At this point, the minstrel picks up the acoustic guitar and settles on the side of the percussion: a bass drum, a tom-tom, a hi-hat, and a cymbal. Minimal but effective set. Franco Barbata switches to guitar. Speaking of the desert, and how comfortable it could be if furnished with care, comes a block of wonderful new songs, taken from the new album ‘Disincantu’. "l'Ombra", "'Ula Arsa", "Tintu", and "Suli", the latter from the first work, to be precise. Suddenly, the subtle jazz/Latin harmonies give way to a sort of intriguing acoustic folk rock. We are already over an hour of musical performance. Agghiastru seems to be in good shape, and perhaps in the part that suits him best, that is chatting with the audience, the storyteller introduces, with "Nichea" on the cane flute, the third moment of the show. Supported by real theatrical talent, here are "Saru Mantici", "Campari", "Vitti 'na Crozza", "La Morti", all more or less with the help of the audience who participates in keeping the time. There is no doubt that this is the most ironic and dreamlike moment of the whole show. Under his cap, Agghiastru mockingly tells of his circus made of bizarre characters, ranging from johns to aperitifs, from moaning skulls to cuckolds with lost horns. A splendid unpublished version of "Sangu", performed on piano and percussion, opens the fourth and final block. More psychedelic and rasping than ever, Agghiastru's voice tells of so much blood shed and never made anything bloom, while Franco strikes the drums. This new tribal version is really beautiful. The artificial sky behind the Sicilian goes out, and we move towards intimacy.
"Stravià", "Addisiu" for the nostalgic of the old repertoire, and "Tintatu", conclude the duo's performance, after more than two hours of music and stories. Everyone is satisfied. The audio and lights are good. The audience is warm. There is nothing more to say except that it should be experienced, always original and always a pleasure to attend an Agghiastru live show.
- marco A.
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