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THE REVIEW
“Love love love, Daughter don't go with the songwriters. Love love love, because then you end up in the songs.” This album from 1982 by Flavio Giurato, a Roman singer-songwriter inexplicably not recognized by the market and the critics who "make" the market, begins this way. It was the year when the Italian national football team was about to win the World Cup in Spain, sparking unprecedented enthusiasm for a team and for the sport in general. But, before all this happened, there was a television show that, by making the necessary proportions, also attracted the attention of a significant portion of music lovers: “Mr Fantasy” by Carlo Massarini. And it was in that context that I became acquainted with the music and art of Flavio Giurato.
Two tracks were featured in the video: “Il tuffatore,” a guitar and voice ballad that starts with a curious (at least for the time) intro sung in English, and the stunning “Orbetello/Orbetello ali e nomi” (I say “the” because there are two tracks, even though they are united), with a thrilling initial piano and warm voice, combined with the absolutely brilliant lyrics (“A tall woman is never banal it will be because the gaze is necessarily superior”), of Flavio equally intense, and an epic crescendo finale with obsessive percussion on which Toto Torquati's piano climbs virtuously. The album shows no drop in tone, in fact, it reaches very high peaks with tracks like “Valterchiari,” “Marcia nuziale,” and the aforementioned “Orbetello/Orbetello ali e nomi.” The musicians are absolutely up to the task, and it is worth mentioning, besides the already cited Torquati, the presence of the always perfect saxophone by Mel Collins.
If I may be bold, this is one of the best works of the Italian scene ever, and it is a shame that an album of this kind, except for a still considerable portion of admirers, has fallen into oblivion to the point that today it is impossible to find it on CD and even less on vinyl. I recommend searching for it online, I think you can find something (even on our artist's site, which is also well done), you won't regret it. If I have to find some flaws in the good Flavio, I'm forced to dive into gossip and tell you that his brother is Luca Giurato, but you know: friends are chosen, relatives, unfortunately, are not... “I want to be a diver To be reborn every time from water to air”
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Summary by Bot
Flavio Giurato's 1982 album Il Tuffatore is praised as one of the best works in the Italian music scene despite its lack of commercial and critical recognition. The review highlights standout tracks like 'Orbetello/Orbetello ali e nomi' and lauds the musicianship of contributors including Mel Collins and Toto Torquati. The album's strong lyrics and intricate arrangements reflect Giurato's unique artistic vision. It remains a hidden gem that deserves rediscovery.Tracklist Videos
Flavio Giurato
Italian singer-songwriter (cantautore) from Rome, described in reviews as a cult, niche figure known for long gaps between albums, meticulous craft, and concept-driven works spanning dialects and languages.13 Reviews
Other reviews
By mauro1101
When a love story ends, it brings us into a state of melancholy or despair or negativity, which in some of us can sometimes lead to a moment of creativity.
The title track, performed only for guitar and voice, with few fantastic words: 'I wanted to be a diver... And now I want to be a diver to be reborn every time from water to air.'
By asterics
The diver prepares, even if the arena is made only of words and music, but the dive is in the heart.
Songs like snippets of life, attached to bones, muscles. Tense, made of flesh and words — and atmospheric, lashing like winds, pouring suddenly.
