Elio e Le storie tese
The los Sri Lanka Parakramabahu Brothers featuring Elio e le Storie Tese

THE REVIEW

It's so hot outside that I decided to review this album with such a "wintery" air. To bring a breath of cheer and happiness.

It was 1990. The little band Elio e le Storie Tese already had almost ten years of career in the Milan area, they had released their first good album with an absurd title ("Elio Samaga Hukapan Kariyana Turu"), and here they are grappling with a new album. Although this, in reality, is more of a Christmas gift than an album. A package.

Everything originates from the collaboration with a fantastic duo from Sri Lanka, the "Parakramabahu Brothers", who will delight us alongside the Elii in horrifying tracks. I can't find another definition. The ignoble music and the voices of the two create a terrible mix. The lament of "Pulun Vage Sudu Raula Digay" proves to be a real torture (just right to punish a lying calf).

Fortunately, the fantastic duo doesn't leave, but ventures into a medley of "international" Christmas traditions ("Agnello Medley"), salvaged only by the great bass and drum work that is rightfully covered by this Christmas atrocity, and into a traditional Sri Lankan song, a whimpering nursery rhyme worthy of a Colombo festival.

To our great regret, the duo leaves us: but the Christmas atmosphere now holds sway. In "Natale in casa Wizzent" Elio tells us a beautiful Russian fairy tale about the holidays at Praticillo Piraña, while Rocco Tanica plays the piano following the development of the story. Then, finally, a song: it's "Silos," an excellent demonstration of the group's live experience.

After that, another gem: "Raccomando," two minutes of "Merry Christmas and... please," with a chorus, let's say, not the most appreciated... The album finally closes with "Giocatore Mondiale," the theme song for the the '90 World Cup program by Gialappa's, and "Born to be Abramo (Saturday Night Strage)," a house remix of the namesake song (!), in which the group warns us of the dangers of Saturday night. Be careful not to end up in the ditch, so don't drink, don't take drugs, and above all, watch out for the AIS.

The rating for the album is perhaps too high for this work, but it's the average between a 1 for the musical atrocity proposed by the Parakramabahu Brothers and a 5 for the brave (and mocking) spirit with which Elio e le Storie Tese brought this CD to print.

"Have a good summer and... please!"