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Rating: Twiilight Effect (dusk)
At a certain point while listening to this semi-anthological collection, I remembered a beautiful monographic insight on Fabrizio de André ("Raccontando De André" RAI 1): interviewed about the great Genoese singer-songwriter, his colleague Franco Battiato keenly noted how, upon listening to one of the early records (when "the distribution was practically underground") despite tackling extremely harsh and controversial themes and in the sadness at times desperate and disheartening in the stories he told, "I was struck by his voice because it was at the same time infinitely comforting".
I mention this because, repeatedly listening to this "Lotus", a parallelism suddenly grabbed my attention, seemingly very distant, surely debatable, but which I feel is very strong at a visceral level: Elisa Toffoli has, in her singing style, in her voice, in these songs so pliable, sweet now submissive and now resolute and firm, almost a caress, almost something maternal, the same consoling power that (not coincidentally) stands out the most right there where the themes are sadder and more melancholy, the music more subdued and contemplative, it stands out with the utmost clarity almost an unexpected quality brought to light in this meditative work, brushed on pianistic and electro-acoustic sounds, and also reveals what could be the most authentic potential that this splendid interpreter from Monfalcone holds in a way anything but unconscious. A personality anything but fragile, an artist with unquestionable versatility, capable of transitioning from the power of the most classic American rock/pop ("Cure Me", "Heaven Of Hell") to the more traditional pop of "Stay" to more experimental endeavors ("Luce - Tramonti a Nord Est") to the inevitable confrontation with the Italian pop-song ("Un Senso di Te"). If Elisa manages to be credible in all she musically expresses, between piano bars and rock event stages, if she manages to remain coherent through the variety of styles and genres she traverses, it's not just because of her singing: it's because here lies the personality of an artist who "knows her stuff". This, moreover, is where (I seem to grasp) the sense of comparison to Bjork resides.
The substantial work, is structured in three types of performances: covers (three on the album, two more on the lead single "Broken", a total of five), reinterpretations of (eight) previous songs in an "unplugged" style, and (six) unreleased tracks. The covers of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" (in homage to Jeff Buckley), and "Femme Fatale" by Velvet Underground - Nico, included in the album are practically impeccable, and they set the emotional tone of the entire work: a self-reflective, calm and autumnal record. Among the new tracks, besides the mentioned "Broken" (an electro-acoustic ride), "Interlude" (one of the most beautiful lyrics) and "A Prayer" (the same lyrical level, which closes the circle opened with Cohen's gratitude), "Electricity" (beautiful) especially, "Yashal" (impossible not to be moved by such a poetic level, one of the absolute gems of the collection) and "Beautiful Night" (ambient and in line with the previous ones). Among the reinterpretations, instead not everything convinces: above all "Luce (Tramonti a Nord-Est)", slowed down and pianistic, is the best. Returning to the covers, "Almeno Tu Nell'Universo" by Mia Martini raises some perplexities, due to the palpable distance from the original (Elisa does not reach the vocal power levels of Mia Martini, but she dodges the most difficult passages with personal vocalizations), while it's regrettable that the other two covers "(Sittin' on) The Dock Of The Bay" by Steve Copper and Otis Redding and "Redemption Song" by Bob Marley lack the latter (indescribable, at the piano live on May 1st it was an enchanting moment).
I don't know if it will achieve an amalgam of all components, nor if this is possible (intimacy, vocal flexibility, and expressive strength, piano, rock, experimental arrangements, occasional casual encounters with electronics), but (I say again, without caring about the possible irritation much) the problem is always the same and it's called "Caterina Caselli - Sugar Records": that is the limit beyond which one cannot go, "indie" production with the dimensions (and weight) of a Major. The thesis I have already stated is that after Lucio Battisti (the link between the Beatles and the Italian Song), and Mia Martini ("the new Edith Piaf from the land of the sun" said the French enthusiastically, "the new Orietta Berti" for Italians... who else define "Orietta Brecht" Antonella Ruggiero...), comes Elisa Toffoli (impossible to include Mina in this line, she cannot be compared to any other performer, neither pop nor operatic). The perfect meeting point between Pop and quality, that is to say, large-scale audiences and talent actually showcased, with a touch of experimentalism, all with perfectionism that leaves almost nothing to chance.
My impression is that the rock-pop-folk-singer from Venezia Giulia could really do more if she had greater freedom of action. Unfortunately, the intrusiveness of a shortsighted production, heavily unidirectional marketing policies, and impermeable and locked distribution channels, will not be helpful: if those operating in the field have succeeded (it must be recognized) in the "miracle" of discovering and giving voice to such talent, in their limited outlook they reveal all the provincialism of the conception that "Made in Italy" music too often has of itself.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Rock Your Soul (04:52)
The more I think, the less I see
when I'm able to walk
I'm queen of my world
I let it rain on my skin
I don't let myself down
I don't let myself down
just wanna be one with you
wanna be one with you
The more I think, the less I do
when I'm able to talk
I'm queen of my world
I let it rain on my skin
I don't ask myself why
I don't ask myself why
I wanna be one with you
wanna be one with you
and all I want is to rock your soul
all I want is to rock your soul
all I want is to rock your soul
I feel closer to the clouds
I'm touching all the highest leaves
on top of the trees
It's my desire's release
we let it rain on our skin
you're holding my hand
I'm holding your life
'n I feel like I'm one with you
and all I want is to rock your soul
all I want is to rock your soul
all I want is to rock your soul
I think I have to give you something
more than words is that something
I show you my dreams
to make 'em our dreams
won't you just be
I'm what you see
and all I want is to rock your soul
all I want is to rock your soul
all I want is to rock your soul
Together with the sun
we shine all the way
together with the rain
we fall through the air
Together with the sun
we shine all the way
together with the rain
with the sun
with the rain
the rain and the sun
together with the rain
and the sun
only with the rain the rain
and the sun
with the sun
with the sun
with the sun
with the sun
03 Broken (04:20)
Hard times flowing and my eyes couldn’t see stars shining
my heart couldn’t feel the beauty of the rising sun
and I’m lost like a bottle that floats in the sea forever
will somebody pick up my hope?
will somebody try?
will I realize?
’cause it’s broken broken
something got broken like stolen, stolen
like if it was stolen, and hurting, hurting
I have been hurting and now
only time will tell
time will heal
just pieces of truth that I chose to keep and
no matter if now they are gone
No matter if I am alone
still I can get back on my feet and walk on
as I know there was something to learn
I know there will always be more worth moving on for
though, it’s broken broken
something got broken like stolen, stolen
like if it was stolen, and hurting hurting
I have been hurting and now
only time will tell
’cause it’s broken broken
something got broken like stolen, stolen
like if it was stolen, and hurting, hurting
I have been hurting and now
only time will tell
I’d love to be one of those colourful early summer days
when everybody’s happy that you came
everybody smiles back at you as soon as your eyes cross their eyes
but something has to happen first
I know winter has to come before it blossoms
So it’s broken broken
Something got broken like stolen, stolen
Like if it was stolen, and hurting hurting
I have been hurting and now
Only time will tell
’cause it’s broken broken
something got broken like stolen, stolen
like if it was stolen, and hurting, hurting
I have been hurting and now
only time will tell
Time will heal
05 Sleeping in Your Hand (05:46)
Now just let me sleep
I don’t wanna talk
have nothing nice to say
I’m just sleeping in your hand
don’t wake me up too soon
I don’t want to see the world
I need to be no one
all I want is just to be
we can be so strange
we can be so wild
even when we love
even when we lie
be conscious of my love
be conscious of my love
please just let me float
nothing matters less than time
my thoughts are so remote
your hand is open wide
we can be so strange
we can be so wild
even when we love
even when we lie
yes we can be so strange
we can be so wild
even when we touch
even when we die
I’m sleeping in your hand
I’m sleeping in your hand
I’m sleeping in your hand
I’m sleeping in your hand
sleeping in your hand…
sleeping in your hand…
sleeping in your hand…
be conscious of my love
be conscious of my love
06 Labyrinth (04:56)
Just like a spy through smoke and lights
I escaped through the back door of the world
And I saw things getting smaller
Fear as well as temptation
Now everything is reflection as I make my way through this labyrinth
And my sense of direction
Is lost like the sound of my steps
Is lost like the sound of my steps
Chorus:
Scent of dried flowers
And I'm walking through the fog
Walking through the fog
Scent of dried flowers
And I'm walking through the fog
Walking through the fog
I see my memories in black and white
They are neglected by space and time
I store all my days in boxes
And left my whishes so far behind
I find my only salvation in playing hide and seek in this labyrinth
And my sense of connection
Is lost like the sound of my steps
Is lost like the sound of my steps
[Chorus]
Words sounds music and I'm spinning in
Words sounds music and I'm spinning out
But I want to stay here
'Cause I am waiting for the rain
And I want it to wash away
Everything, everything, everything
[Chorus x 2]
***
Labirinto
Proprio come una spia attraverso fumo e luci
sono scappata attraverso la porta sul retro del mondo
e ho visto le cose diventare più piccole
la paura diventare tentazione.
adesso tutto è un riflesso visto che
ho percorso la mia strada attraverso questo labirinto
e il mio senso d'orientamento
è perso come il rumore dei miei passi
è perso come il rumore dei miei passi
odore di fiori secchi, e sto camminando nella nebbia
camminando nella nebbia
odore di fiori secchi, e sto camminando nella nebbia
camminando nella nebbia
vedo i miei ricordi in bianco e nero
sono trascurati dal tempo e dallo spazio
conservo tutti i miei giorni in degli scatoloni
e ho lasciato i miei desideri così indietro
trovo la mia unica salvezza nel giocare
a nascondino in questo labirinto
e il mio senso di conoscenza
è perso come il rumore dei miei passi
è perso come il rumore dei miei passi
odore di fiori secchi, e sto camminando nella nebbia
camminando nella nebbia
odore di fiori secchi, e sto camminando nella nebbia
camminando nella nebbia
parole, suoni, musica, e sto girando
parole, suoni, musica, e mi sto prolungando
ma voglio restare qui perchè
sto aspettando la pioggia
e voglio che lavi via tutto, tutto, tutto
odore di fiori secchi, e sto camminando nella nebbia
camminando nella nebbia
odore di fiori secchi, e sto camminando nella nebbia
camminando nella nebbia
odore di fiori secchi, e sto camminando nella nebbia
camminando nella nebbia
odore di fiori secchi, e sto camminando nella nebbia
07 Beautiful Night (05:37)
A beautiful night's a beautiful night
its colourful soul's embracing my song
and a cello's playing in my head
just for me
and a new desire is blowing sounds
in my ear
shall I go for a smile? Shall I or
shall I keep it to myself?
but I would share it with you
if you could understand...
a beautiful night's a beautiful night
my happiness came like sand in the wind
oh I think I saw a little poem
falling off a star…
oh, I think I saw it choosing your eyes
as a place to spend time…
shall I go for a smile? Shall I or
shall I keep it to myself?
but I could share it with you,
if you can understand…
can I... can I step into your world?
can I... can I step into your world?
can I... can I step into your world?
a cello's playing in my head
just for me
and a new desire is blowing sounds
in my ear
and I think I saw a little poem
falling off a star…
and I think I saw it choosing your eyes
as a place to spend time…
shall I go for a smile? Shall I or
shall I keep it to myself?
but I would share it with you
if you could understand…
08 Almeno tu nell'universo (04:53)
Sai? La gente è strana
Prima si odia e poi si ama
Cambia idea improvvisamente
Prima la verità e poi
Mentirà a noi
Senza serietà, come fosse niente.
Sai, la gente è matta
Forse è troppo insoddisfatta
Segue il mondo ciecamente
Quando la moda cambia
Lei pure cambia
Continuamente, scioccamente.
Tu, tu che sei diverso
Almeno tu nell'universo
Un punto sei che non ruota mai
Intorno a me
Un sole che splende per me soltanto
Come un diamante in mezzo al cuore… tu..
Sai? La gente è sola
E come può lei si consola
Non far sì che la mia mente
Si perda in congetture, in paure
Inutilmente
Poi per niente.
Tu, che sei diverso
Almeno tu nell'universo
Un punto sei che non ruota mai
Intorno a me, un sole
Che splende per me soltanto
Come un diamante in mezzo al cuore
Tu, tu che sei diverso
Almeno tu nell'universo
Non cambierai
Dimmi che
Per sempre sarai sincero
Che mi amerai davvero
Di più
Di più
Di più
Di più
09 Electricity (04:10)
Your daughter.. she's a dancer
Living in Buenos Aires
Sleeping on a mattress on the floor
Yes, sleeping on a mattress on the floor
Did you ever ask her how she feels?
Did you ever ask her if she feels?
Electricity through her body
That one thing that can make one happy
Like electricity through a body
Your father he�??s a rich man
And he�??s got many questions
He always wakes up with you in his head
He always wakes up with you in his head
And did you ever ask him how he feels?
And did you ever ask him how he feels?
That electricity through his body
That one thing that can make one happy
Like electricity through a body
It�??s that one thing that can make one happy, yeah
Your daughter is a woman living with her lover
And she�??s trying to do the best that she can
Yeah she�??s trying to do the best that she can
And did you ever ask her how she feels?
And did you ever ask her if she feels?
Electricity through her body
That one thing that can make one happy
Like electricity through your body
That one thing that can make you happy
And you don�??t need to have more, oh no, oh no,
Oh no, you don�??t need to have more
You don�??t need to ask for more
You don�??t need to ask for more
You don�??t need to have more..
10 The Marriage (04:34)
This is the marriage of silence and love
here is the temple where I come to learn
here are the eternal little things I always loved
here are all my tears just waiting for my return
this is the marriage of silence and love
this is the land of the gentle soul
here sometimes I meet the man who can see what I see
live what I dream and be the way he seems
and I have no doubt here I fall and rise
here I can be poor and feel so rich inside
here I come back to me here I come back to see
what he’s doing now, what he’s doing now
oh I believe in the marriage of silence and love
and I still need some patience to grasp it all
I hope I won’t forget this feelings fading off in time
trapped behind my face, burning in my mind
oh I have no doubt here I become wise
here I can be poor and feel so rich inside
here I come back to me here I come back to see
what he’s doing now, what he’s doing now
oh at first I’ve lost my directions
and I was just glad to be alive
but then I had to meet myself and my depression
and I, and I should have swallowed all my pride
and I know it now, yes I know it know,
and I want to know him now, ‘cause I want to love him now
still I have no doubt here I live for now
here I can be poor and feel so rich inside
here I come back to me here I come back to see
what he’s doing now, what he’s doing now…
and I want to know him now
12 Stranger (04:39)
Stranger you look so different
some other thoughts fill up your mind
and you just made it happen
got me thinking of you in my life
and now
I hope that my wish’s not so weak
I hope that my will is enough enough
‘cause you made it all good for me yeah
you made it all right
you made it all good for me yeah
you made it just fine
stranger can you forgive me
if it sounds like I know you too well
it’s just that you
have been like water when I was feeling so thirsty
oh and now
I think of you though you don’t know
the reason why I love you so
but never mind
‘cause you made it all good for me yeah
you made it all right
you made it all good for me yeah
you made it just fine
yet I know
it’d be too much to wait for your love
it’d be sad to wait for anything…
your anything…
so I sing… sing the words that I would say to you
sing the time that would spend with you… with you…
‘cause you made it all good for me yeah
you made it all right
you made it all good for me yeah
you made it just fine
just fine
could I feel higher?
could I feel better?
could I feel happier?
could I feel higher?
stranger you look so different
some other thoughts fill up my mind
and you just made it happen
got me thinking of you in my life
13 Luce (Tramonti a Nord-Est) (04:27)
Parlami
come il vento fra gli alberi
Parlami
Come il cielo con la sua terra
Non ho difese ma
ho scelto di essere libera
Adesso è la verità
l'unica cosa che conta
Dimmi se farai qualcosa
se mi stai sentendo
avrai cura di tutto quello che ti ho dato - dimmi
Siamo nella stessa lacrima
come un sole e una stella
Luce che cade dagli occhi
sui tramonti della mia terra
su nuovi giorni
Ascoltami
ora so piangere
So che ho bisogno di te
non ho mai saputo fingere
Ti sento vicino
il respiro non mente
In tanto dolore niente di sbagliato niente niente
Siamo nella stessa lacrima
come un sole e una stella
Siamo luce che cade dagli occhi
sui tramonti della mia terra
Su nuovi giorni in una lacrima
come un sole e una stella
Luce che cade dagli occhi
Sui tramonti della mia terra
su nuovi giorni si
Il sole mi parla di te (mi stai ascoltando - ora)
La luna mi parla di te (avrò cura di tutto quello che mi hai dato)
Anche se dentro una lacrima
come un sole e una stella
Luce che cade dagli occhi
sui tramonti della mia terra
Su nuovi giorni in una lacrima
come un sole e una stella
Siamo luce che cade dagli occhi
sui tramonti della mia terra
su nuovi giorni
Ascoltami
Ascoltami
Ascoltami
Ascoltami
Ascoltami
Ascoltami
Ascoltati
14 Gift (03:58)
Na na na na na… (in the other room)
In the other room, I’m the other girl
I’m another one of your children
it’s this other face, this other name
I’m the other girl (want to be in the other room)
when you’re calling me, when you’re calling me
Your gift
receiving through this
body of mine
is alive, so alive
Your gift
receiving through this
body of mine
is alive, so alive
I am bleeding joy, still peaceful
I am waiting for patience
I live something beautiful
just thinking not too fast
I’m still here (want to be in the other room)
When you’re calling me, when you’re calling me
Your gift
receiving through this
body of mine
is alive, so alive
Your gift
receiving through this
body of mine
is alive, so alive
my secrets are now
things I can touch
this is complicity
I’m going to embrace
this man with no face…just fly
Your gift
receiving through this
body of mine
is alive, so alive
Your gift
shining through this
body of mine
is alive, so alive
Your gift is giving, as receiving...
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Other reviews
By e-bow
Listening to Lotus is like immersing the soul of the Elisa we already knew into the greenery of nature.
Elisa’s voice has matured, she manages to control it even better, it is wise and warm and has an observing eye that never betrays her.
By Me Myself & I
A total immersion in nature in its purest and simplest state, stripped of every redundant and superfluous sound, to create musicality in its most intimate essence.
An album that makes you travel, imagine, and estrange the individual from concrete reality, leaving room for free imagination.
