Daniele Luttazzi
Money For Dope

THE REVIEW

Victim of an inexplicable censorship by a government advocating a rather twisted idea of democracy, Daniele Luttazzi does not stop venting his creativity.

What brings the Romagnolo comedian into the spotlight this time is neither a new theatrical show nor an innovative TV program, but rather his first work as a singer-songwriter, "Money For Dope", with a long and troubled genesis. His passion for music was born at a young age, so much so that during his university period, between the late '70s and early '80s, he formed his first band in Bologna called Ze Endoten's Control. In '79, Daniele, shaken by the death from an overdose of a dear friend, decided to dedicate a song to her, namely Money for Dope. From then on, the idea of an "elegiac musical" was born, as Luttazzi himself defined the CD, which tells some fragments of that human story tragically interrupted. In "Money For Dope", Luttazzi’s English lyrics are performed by a ten-piece orchestra that brings to life jazz, funky, and swing atmospheres typical of Broadway musicals; thus, you move from the engaging rhythms of "Silence" to the sweet piano and choruses of "Vienna, Vienna", and even touch on blues-rock sounds as in the track "Doom".

There's no doubt, Luttazzi has managed to amaze once again; those who thought his CD could be nothing more than a collection of musical monologues actually find themselves faced with an intimate, mature record, meticulously crafted, which is surprising, especially considering it's a debut work.