RingoStarfish

navarf I meant to say

Very nice news, King!! So are there any other fans of Mano Negra on Debe...what prices are we looking at for the impressive box set? It must be quite a delightful box. But let’s hope we don’t get ripped off too much. Nafarf, hold off on resorting to the mule...let's get it as a Christmas gift from the dwarves! (Come on, we’re all nicer at Christmas, etc. etc.)

I saw them here in Italy this summer and I have to say they are EXHILARATING. I received the same impressions from that concert. At one point the singer even wore a skirt... the beard was shorter but the shirt almost identical. I think they are a great band. One of the best of the decade. But very unstable. Let's hope for the best...

vote

Excellent choice. Class, elegance, sensitivity. Truly, my compliments to both of you.

The three-way collaboration with Mogol and G. Bella wasn't bad, a sign of a moment of positive vitality foreshadowed by the duet album with Mina. Once left alone again, he has dived back into his ego, into his messianic vision à la castellano&pipolo. He’s not a messiah, but just a good prophet. He’s a valid interpreter, but as a songwriter, he has an audacious ability to inflate himself while ridiculing his own impulses, tripping over his own bravado, proud of the fact that there are some things he simply cannot grasp. But he’s a tough nut to crack; he holds— as far as he can— the Italian media and record industry by the balls, after all these years and so many embarrassing shames for which another would have run away to the ends of the earth. The beauty of Celentano is that you can either criticize or praise him for the very same things, it just depends on how we choose to view it. He’s not a pleasing and bipartisan Morandi, nor a confused and self-victimizing Dalla; he hasn't been an unreachable master like the trinity of Faber-Battisti-Battiato. He lacks the irony and grace of Gaber, nor the depth of the Prince. He is Celentano. He’s the director of that legendary Joan Lui, a colossal that’s so dramatically trash it moves you. He’s a man who allows himself everything but not too much, who is ugly yet charming (even to me). He is half of the most beautiful couple in the world. Therefore, is he the most beautiful man in the world?................ Note: I would give "Io non so parlar d'amore" a 4.

Pacino, great note! Welcome To The Beautiful South is amazing! The worthy continuation of the Housemartins' beautiful Song For Whoever, but also gems like I'll Sail This Ship Alone or Love Is, where do you place them?

Good group, I'm fond of them, and -there's no denying it- they are part of that kind of music that drives me, us, you, crazy. But if you want to take it head-on, start from their debut (Soc datti da fare te ora che io non posso!). Well, maybe they haven't made the big leap, Massimo is right. But they were heading in the right direction to do so. An unforgettable sweet meteor.

You left me speechless and with teary eyes. Thank you for this gift.

Massimo, I completely understand you, and to do it better, I put on Second Helping by Lynyrd!!! I gave Francis a four for the effort he put in (as always together with a quality of writing not very common on the site) in listening to, analyzing, and dissecting the band, the album, and the music in question. In this, I think Francis and I are very similar (besides having many of his musical tastes) and he, I believe, knows it. He immersed himself in the Mephistophelean role of the forger of heavy-doom metal and his fanatic, delirious audience. He tried to understand, and to help us understand, the messages, the reactions, the true intentions of this type of music. A point deduction for the usual, sought-after provocative exaggerations (pointless to deny on his part) that I actually appreciate because they stimulate reading and make it more intense (perhaps because we smile or get angry). But they are still weighed down by too many smudges. Have a good Sunday, Massi, wherever you are. And take care of yourself too, Francis.