Litfiba
Pirata

THE REVIEW

If I found a way to travel through time (at least to the past), I would be willing to pay any amount just to attend that concert where Litfiba gave their best.
That concert was recorded on the compilation CD titled: "Pirata".

Well, it's still them, what I consider one of the few groups representing real Italian rock, Litfiba, who (as already mentioned in "Re del silenzio") were certainly among the few bands to craft a raw and melodic style, hard and calm, tranquil and aggressive, mystical and poetic, a nonconformist and anti-moralist sound developed from a context inspired by the rejection of totalitarianism in any form. Litfiba was heavily influenced by punk and new wave trends, but it's impossible not to notice their rock'n roll tendencies and sometimes (albeit in a halting manner) the metallic melodies, especially regarding Ghigo's frenetic soloing.

Year 1989; day: undefined (if someone could tell me, I'm interested); a frenzied crowd eager to see "the little monkey" cheers, whistles, and applauds. The band takes the stage and opens with "Cangaceiro". Yes, because this album also includes the songs already heard and re-heard, but they're all excellently live-ified, not just sung live, but transformed for the better, extended, or mystified further.
When "Cangaceiro" ends, the crowd is seen swaying as Piero pronounces strange verses during the magical atmospheric intro of the song "Il Vento", a splendid magical composition, an eccentric and mystical melody bursting with melancholy. The crowd applauds and continues to cheer; not everyone knew this song, but then the keyboards introduce "Come un Dio", in a new form, almost epic and brash, slightly dark and aggressively melodic.
Next comes "Tex", a now classic piece that, to stay on theme, starts with "Row Hide" with English lyrics and a typically rock\country rhythm that Litfiba (perhaps) had never hinted at before. I don't know the exact origins of this text, but some say it was originally (before its transformation in Litfiba fashion) the soundtrack of "The Blues Brothers".
It’s not the only song in English nor the only unheard one, because amidst a boiling hot audience, a little march named "Cannon Song" kicks in.
The keyboards slowly introduce "Pioggia di Luce" which, live, enchants everyone, and listening to this live version evokes stronger emotions than the studio version, especially since you can hear the audience singing along with Piero.
This is only a moment of calm and tranquility, a peace before the storm that begins with "Gira nel mio cerchio" where Ghigo improvises solos and Piero innovative devilish verses.
Then the cheerfulness of "Tequila" offers a taste of an unforgettable samba rock fusion leading into "Lulù e Marlene" in an astonishing version because beyond the collaboration of fans shouting "Uohoooooo", Piero climbs through the various improvised tonalities.
It will be "Luisiana" to close the concert, a mystical and prophetic choir of a delicate and well-made song that live must have been a real blast, especially as it concludes with frenetic and stupendous solos that are enchantingly fantastic and progressive.

The crowd shouts "Ohè - Ohà".

You can find the CD for cheap, about ten euros, take advantage of it because it's a masterpiece.