antoniodeste

It's a great review, Charley, written with the heart of someone who loves, I believe, especially the blues. It was a true pleasure to read it and to read again about the "heroic" deeds of the four Englishmen, when Alexis Korner had created these beautiful proselytes of pseudo-white contamination in the blues.
When I think back to Kossoff and his few, piercing, and furious notes in his measured solos, I still feel a bit of sadness for how life took him away. Paul Rodgers was (and maybe still is) alongside Plant, Snips, and, yes, let's say it, that jerk Rod Stewart (when he sang with the Faces), one of the finest voices of British blues/rock. As for Fraser, it's a real shame; he started out as a near prodigy (most of the hits with Free were his, and he had a truly original style) but by the breakup of the group, he formed the Sharks with that other character Chris Spedding. Great debut and then a second album with a question mark and then, then, then... For a while, I managed to convince myself that with Bad Company, the miracle could repeat itself. It lasted only two or three years, then, just a lot of trade. However, I find, Charley, that the recently reissued Live with a "line" of unreleased tracks provides a rather solid and convincing overview of Free live, including the roughness and spontaneity of some moments. Only the Zeppelins reached such heights back then, but it was a different thing. Thanks for reminding me of it. :-)

What beautiful music do you usually listen to, jodo?

Generally, I agree with primiballi. I just have some doubts about attributing the label of "genius" to Pino, which frankly seems disproportionate to me. Then, of course, everyone can have their own personal and particular concept of genius… In my case, I reiterate that despite an exemplary and, at times, astonishing conduct (for reasons we could analyze), Pino did not have the qualities necessary to deserve such a title.

With a nickname like yours, it says it all.....

Luca-LJ: More than bliss, I would say it was a great satisfaction, pleasure, joy, pride in realizing (back then) that in the rock/blues/fusion/folk (and whatever else...) scene, we could compete honorably with the foreign "monsters." And as for longevity in attending, I believe I am in good company; just to mention one... hi Nightwalker! and... hello Luca, of course.

Hats off to Shine. It’s an evident act of love, what I’ve read. And I understand it. It’s one of the most beautiful reviews I think I’ve ever read; passionate, rich in information, sensations, emotions, evocations. The length was indeed necessary for a work of this kind. Compliments all around. I am one of those who loved this double very much. Even though, as someone has already written, halfway. Essentially “only” the first and fourth sides of the original LP. However, it’s still a milestone.

Perhaps, in my opinion, the most beautiful album by Pino. I witnessed the musical growth of this (former) great artist from '82 until the early '90s at least five or six times. And live he was truly great and full of life (then with all the "luxury" guests he brought along...). But I remain of the opinion that during that period (79 - 85) he gave his best. "Nero a Metà" is clear evidence of this, as well as, to a lesser extent, "Bella 'Mbriana" or "Vai 'mo'". The review is pleasant, heartfelt, and simple. What more could one ask for? For the record: on "Nun me scoccià" we're both in agreement about the Talk box....

Would you compare reality to a toilet ??!! Or do you think that after the Herzogian documentary "Apocalypse in the Desert" (about the war in Kuwait), it's time to consider the hypothesis of shooting "Apocalypse in the Toilet"?! Or in your fervent and prolific imagination are there many overweight little men "In the streets" who, wherever they can, try to evacuate with enormous difficulty, constantly alarming public decency?! Dante, please enlighten me; don't leave me in suspense! What is this story of the reality to come? What do you mean? Are you perhaps the Messiah? Give me a sign; I await with confidence. CUBAI, CUBAI.

Consent or non-consent (which you invented, by the way, and of which I "care" very little, to use a term you hold dear) keep your wonderful opinion, which will surely influence thousands of readers. It’s quite clear where this comes from. But then again, what else could one expect from someone so indifferent? I bid you farewell, Your Majesty, while I take the liberty of sending you my total disinterest in what you express, whether it matters to you or not. After all, for what it's worth..... .

I largely converge with Rosenwinkel. A couple of musician friends introduced me to him, I believe, three years ago at one of his shows in a small club. It ended up with me feeding him spoonfuls of Sangria and fruit, which he seemed to appreciate quite a lot. He was accompanied there by Ben Street on bass, Jeff Ballard on drums, and, of course, the talented Mark Turner (with a striking Monk-like hat). I was more than impressed right from that moment (even in his piano solos) and had a second chance several months later. It was some sort of outdoor "meeting," and I believe the same line-up was present. We discussed the intrinsic meaning of the "enemies of energy," and I confess it became so complex and elaborate that at a certain point I started to struggle to keep up with the thread of his discourse. What is certain is that, as Symbad says, "Enemies of Energy" is a complex work and not easily "describable." I also had the opportunity, indirectly, to attend a Mark Turner show (without Rosenwinkel) but with that dragon Larry Grenadier. His stylistic and technical approach is astounding. Perhaps a bit less on the expressive side, but there’s time for that. Recently, and I conclude, my friend Franz gave me "Deep Song." Here, in my opinion, Rosenwinkel touches (temporarily, I believe) the peak of his constant search in a marvelous synthesis that is both complex and harmonically rich and appealing. Mehldau, Grenadier, and Joshua Redman are featured, and you can definitely feel it. A great artist whom I follow with keen interest. Listening to "Deep Song" is a must.