Alberto Radius
Gente di Dublino

THE REVIEW

This time I dedicate myself to a somewhat overlooked artist on the site. I'm talking about Alberto Radius and an album that's practically impossible to find, except somewhere on vinyl, as it hasn't been reissued on CD to this day.

Radius has practically traversed the entire history of Italian rock, from its beginnings certainly up to the '90s, alternating very diverse activities, as a member of groups (La formula 3, il Volo), a luxury session man (especially for Battisti and Battiato, Faust'o), producer (Giuni Russo), the list of his activities is quite long. Despite these pursuits, he has developed an intriguing solo career, often supported by a fair amount of inspiration.

"Gente di Dublino" is an LP from 1982, a period during which he worked closely with Franco Battiato, with almost the same musicians from "Voce del padrone" and "Arca di Noè".

He collaborated on the lyrics with the faithful Oscar Avogadro (Se il mare c'è, Non metteteci la bomba, Pane amore e fantasia, Paura di volare), who was present on all his albums, as well as Francesco Messina (Lombardia, Olè, Centro campo, Gente di Dublino) and Tommaso Tramonti in Labirinto, the latter being collaborators of Franco Battiato. Regarding the lyrics, in some more or less recent interviews, Radius himself attributes the authorship to Battiato, who officially doesn't sign anything.

In truth, listening to the standout track, "Lombardia," the impression that it's an autobiographical piece is evident; both Battiato and Radius "emigrated" and established themselves in Milan. Radius himself would later declare that he had quite a bit of difficulty interpreting the lyrics.

The musical arrangements are by the always present Sante Palumbo, and the music itself is by Radius. Notable tracks include "Gente di Dublino," the already mentioned "Lombardia," and "Non metteteci la bomba," but the entire album flows pleasantly.

The album was presented on the same tour where Battiato was taking "l'Arca di Noè" on the road, where our own was accustomed to opening concerts alternating with Giusto Pio and Francesco Messina. In a live show in Cesena in 1983, Radius performed "Lombardia" and "Olè."

Right at the end of the autobiographical lead track, there's a homage to an American hit from the '70s.