Ivan Graziani
Parla Tu...

After attempting to worthily review an excellent LP by an excellent artist, and apologizing to all the "sorcini" if I didn't succeed, I have decided to return to the pages of De-Baser to examine and review another excellent album. The album in question is "Parla tu...", the first live by Ivan Graziani. With this LP, Ivan realizes a lifelong dream: to record live material.

The collection was released in 1982, a year after the release of "Seni e Coseni", and contains 13 tracks starting from the album "I Lupi", thus excluding "La città che io vorrei" and "Ballata per quattro stagioni". The tracks, which I will list based on the album they are from, are: "Lugano Addio", "Motocross" from "I Lupi"; "Pigro", "Paolina", "Monnalisa" from the LP "Pigro"; "Dottor Jeckyll & Mister Hyde", "Taglia la testa al gallo", "Fuoco sulla collina" and "Agnese" from "Agnese, dolce Agnese"; "Angelina", "Isabella sul treno" from "Viaggi e Intemperie"; "Digos Boogie" from the last released and aforementioned "Seni e Coseni". There is also an unreleased track, which is "Lontano dalla paura", the soundtrack of the film "Il grande ruggito", and a track from Ivan Graziani's old group (Anonima Sound) that gives the album its title, which is "Parla Tu".

The album opens with the powerful riff of "Dottor Jeckyll & Mister Hyde". Played breathtakingly, the only regret is the somewhat too low volume of the piano. It takes 45 seconds into the second track to realize we're listening to a dazzling and explosive version of "Angelina" since the first 45 seconds are dedicated to a new and fierce introduction, starting with the guitar to which all other instruments then join. It's time for "Taglia la testa al gallo", played slightly differently from the studio version. While the original version marched to the sound of acoustic guitars, this live version is played with electric guitars with a clean effect (not distorted as some might not know). It remains beautiful and "rustic/countryside" like the original. Even "Pigro", introduced by a palm-muted stroke, is played with an electric guitar, unlike the original. It has very nice guitar solos that reinvigorate this classic. The fifth track is "Fuoco sulla collina", which was released as a single for this album. Ivan said this was his favorite track, so it's no surprise that it's played with brutal energy. The solos are terrifying, and Ivan's voice on this track, as well as the others, is perfect. Ivan himself introduces the sixth track, "Lontano dalla paura". The song, against hunting, is energetic rock with a nice bass line that masterfully directs the track. A couple of snare drum hits and then a guitar simulating a train. That's how "Isabella sul treno" begins, lasting about 10 minutes. The first part is dedicated to the song, the second to pure fun with a marathon solo full of improvisation. A very amusing note about the song is that at one point, Ivan forgets the lyrics, and shortly after, he gets confused and sings another verse. It's even more amusing that Ivan decided to keep this version on the CD, although he could have replaced it with another version from some other concert.

In track number 8, it's once again the singer from Novafeltria who talks to us, saying that the next four will be: four terrible songs to which he's very attached. The first (track 8) is the famous "Lugano Addio". Sweet and gentle, once again Marta comes to life and makes us dream and sing with her. Track 9 is perhaps the sorest note of the entire album: the tender arpeggio of "Paolina", one of the most beautiful songs in Italian music, begins, but the song will not be performed in its entirety. It will last about two and a half minutes, just enough time for a verse and the chorus. Nevertheless, it remains enchanting and beautiful. Track 10 is the very famous "Agnese", which is perhaps the closest to the original. Nothing particular to report except for the usual sweetness of this female portrait. Once again, Ivan, after thanking the audience, opens the 11th song by telling us this is the story of a boy who went to ****** and remained *******. The track is "Motocross", much faster, aggressive, sharp, and longer than the original. The album, as far as the live part is concerned, closes with an indescribable medley of "Monnalisa" and "Digos Boogie". The track lasts fifteen minutes and is pure energy. There are no words to describe it. At the end of it all, track 13 is a treat for fans who can listen to a piece from the beginning of Ivan Graziani's career, which is "Parla tu".

From this LP, you can understand what Ivan Graziani was really made of, the great Ivan Graziani. A special greeting to all the De-Lettori and to Angela... Until next time...