I Corvi
Un Ragazzo Di Strada

On the Italian beat and its importance for the future of Italian music, a long introduction would be needed: on the social and political situation of those 60s and on the ability of these "canzonette" to tackle topics that were until then taboo and to create a real movement that marked part of our country's history…

"I Corvi" was a band that stood out, along with a few others (notably Nomadi and Equipe 84), among hundreds of "bands" that were forming throughout Italy in a truly lively and burgeoning musical situation. Initially, like everyone at that time, they were a cover band of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. At the first music competition for beginners they participated in, the "Rapallo Davoli," they came in second, quickly gaining notoriety thanks to a brawl they started when some in the audience called them "long-haired." Subsequently, "Ariston" signed them up and had them participate in the "Cantagiro" of '66 with the song "Un Ragazzo di strada," which would later entitle their only "LP", one of the finest works of our local beat.

This track (with which they won the Cantagiro) is a cover of the unknown "Brogues" and lets us feel for the first time in our country an overwhelming "punk" energy. The group's image is also very revolutionary and scandalous, with beards, gloomy capes, and a crow, Alfredo, on the singer's shoulder or on the guitar neck. Their hit's title and their provocative way of appearing carved out for them an image of not very recommendable young people.

The record spans beat, psychedelia, and hard rock, featuring distorted guitars, church-like organs, raw and realistic lyrics, and demonstrating that these are not just melodic "canzonette" but also an eloquent snapshot of our society.

Particularly noteworthy are, besides the title-track, the beautiful "Luce" and some covers of the ingenious Donovan.