Gino Paoli
Basta chiudere gli occhi

Once upon a time, Gino Paoli, the artist. Just close your eyes. Just close one, at least, and focus for a moment on the other. As many already know, his name has circulated in recent months among national newspapers, music sites, and social networks for events that have very little to do with art: Mr. Gino is currently under investigation by the Genoa Prosecutor's Office for an alleged tax shortfall (currently, we specify only alleged) of a few hundred thousand euros. The fact that this happened at the same time when he was also president of an organization like SIAE, usually perceived as already quite unpopular in its own right, may help to understand why in certain musical circles, at least the more underground ones, the Genoese singer-songwriter is now frowned upon.

Well, Just close your eyes. Ironically, it's also the title of a stunning album published by Paoli in 1964, containing both original pieces and two extraordinary successes placed by the Genoese artist just the previous year: Che cosa c'è and Sapore di sale. Twelve tracks, twelve jewels, that unfold upon listening like a delicate fabric of rare quality, supported, as they are, by arrangements relying on the genius of two giants such as Ennio Morricone and Alessandro Alessandroni. The compositional approach, even within a single song, therefore splendidly and cinematically follows the sensations expressed by each single verse, now opening up to magnificent string arrangements, now closing discreetly in a mood entrusted only to a melodica, a double bass, and a softly brushed drum...

It would be impossible not to underscore the beauty of the lyrics, at times truly chilling, where love is treated with a multitude of facets and colors, but with a mature, "dry" attitude, without ever descending into the syrupy or pathetic. The interpretation is perfect, measured, profound, heartfelt as required of a singer-songwriter, and only when necessary, lyrical. The enchantment is thus achieved: listening to "Just close your eyes" drags the "spectator" to distant, forgotten territories (and I dare to write almost psychedelic) where it’s lovely to sink into. In between, absolute masterpieces: like the title track, the already mentioned Che cosa c'è, A Milano non crescono i fiori, Nel corso (a song that somehow anticipates the progressive music to come), Sapore di Sale, Vivere Ancora...

Living still, indeed. Because even back then Gino Paoli was talked about for events that had little to do with art. After scandalizing the national press due to his relationship with Stefania Sandrelli (which took place while the artist was already married and expecting a child with his legitimate wife), the Genoese singer-songwriter on July 11, 1963, shot himself in the heart, luckily missing his aim by a few millimeters ("Suicide is the only arrogant way given to a man to decide about himself. But I am proof that not even then you can truly decide," he would say later).

Just close your eyes, in short, and open your ears wide. Never should the societal perception of an artist’s personal affairs be confused with the real perception of his art, if it is art. This album is a shining and indispensable piece of the history of our songwriting, which every music lover should listen to at least once in their lifetime. Preparing for the fact, almost inevitable, that if you truly love Music with a capital M, you will hardly be satisfied with just one listen.