Avion Travel
Vivo di canzoni

I wanted to defend "a certain Italian music" that is generally little considered on this site. I'm not talking about Gigi D'Alessio, Mino Reitano, or Massimo Ranieri (which obviously isn't even mentioned!), but another way of making and conceiving Italian music of melodic and "operetta" derivation, boasting interpreters like Paolo Conte, Giorgio Gaber, Vinicio Capossela, and a few others, including the Piccola Orchestra Avion Travel, indeed.

This "Vivo di Canzoni" released in '97 encapsulates the cream of the work done by the Piccola Orchestra Avion Travel, a unique and anomalous Casertan band in the contemporary Italian panorama, with extracts from tours in Italy and abroad, especially in France and Germany, where the band from Caserta now has numerous admirers. To be listened to with sharp and attentive ears, to manage to grasp the passages and class in the always measured, original, and attentive arrangements in the compositional and executive aspect in a "blend" of sounds, arrangements, and orchestrations that have few rivals in Italy (and perhaps abroad!). This band, formed on the remains of various rock groups at the end of the '80s, is composed of: Peppe Servillo - a suave and highly charismatic voice with strong theatricality and stage presence, Fausto Mesolella - acoustic guitar with loves and digressions in flamenco and jazz, Peppe D'Argenzio - warm and measured sax, Domenico Ciaramella - always polite and pertinent drumming capable of even being absent in some songs and many passages, Mario Tronco - always well-calibrated and sparing piano execution. Lastly, a note of merit to Ferruccio Spinetti on the double bass, who has class and skill in abundance.

Amazing then, how in all these years, the group has never "sold out" with low-profile operations but has always kept the flag of inspiration high, making records always up to par. A rare example of quality and consistency, staunchly defended by the group even when faced with economically more profitable choices but of dubious artistic value (the famous "Hits for the Summer," for example...). This live album, in addition to the group's original songs, presents us with a delightful array of Italian covers: from Celentano with "Storia d'Amore" (almost more beautiful than the original!) to "Cosa sono le nuvole" with lyrics by Pasolini (beautiful and strongly evocative). There are also beautiful and light songs, rich in arrangements reminiscent of certain passages of the Cetra quartet ("Scherzi d'affitto") or pieces that seem to follow the poetics of the best National Gaber ("La Conversazione") or the best Paolo Conte ("Cuore grammatico"). In short, more than an album, a real gem of skill at a very high compositional and realization level with peaks of beauty and class never reached by an Italian live performance. A true example of good "Italian" music for export that, for one reason or another, it is not understood why it is little known abroad despite having all the elements to "break through" (catchiness, "melodramatic" taste, beautiful sounds, theatricality, good live performance... all things recognized and appreciated in successful Italian artists). But perhaps the mechanisms of promotion outside Italy are far more complex and loaded with compromises that ours are struggling to accept. Perhaps it's better this way: better the very Italian Avion Travel of this level, than an "Avion Travel International" dueting with Elton John, flaunting syrupy melodies for the International Market... actually, I will say more: let's keep these gems "for us" and don't spread the word too much that as soon as it gets out in America, these Yankees will buy them, Caterina Caselli, and all of Sugar with lots of dollar bills... so shhh, let's speak softly and preserve these "Italian beauties" while we can... I haven't said anything, eh?