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Rating:
Deaf Deep
Great concert by Marco Parente on December 18 at Traffic, the smallest venue in the world (after my bathroom), apparently carved directly into the tuff rock by Samnite warriors, without any reason and in a colossal drunken stupor. Where any respectable shopkeeper would (jealously) store only his hams and podolic cow cheeses, Roman music lovers can listen to even important artists.
The delay of almost two hours behind schedule would be nice to talk about, to clarify, to find out if it is the vendors who prevent musicians from starting, waiting for more people, or if it is the performers who do not want to go on stage until the audience is exhausted from sleep, alcohol, and cold.
The quartet was charged, almost angry; it was clear that everyone wanted to play. The bassist is a virtuoso of the instrument, and so is the drummer. Marco Parente is left-handed, he didn't change the tuning of the guitars; he just turned them as the most acrobatic Mosole did. Except that Parente is not a virtuoso. The very charming Paolo Benvegnù fought, for a good part of the evening, with the treacherous guitars that now lost a string, now broke completely, winning by grit and character and thanks to the group’s support “Strato”.
Marco Parente: I would like to say the best things about this great artist who inspires great admiration in me. First visionary and convoluted, then clear and direct like a glass of water or a stab. Beautiful voice, great falsetto, highly personal points of view expressed in music of tumultuous impact. But I am going by memory, recalling the impressions his records made on me.
Unfortunately, last night it was impossible to hear a damn thing due to the DEAF/DEEP volume confidently maintained by the sound man. Certainly, he was not a “technician”. I am searching for alternative definitions. He appeared more like a cynic with sadistic streaks. The last 4 songs I listened to with my ears plugged, and I must say, it sounds much better. At the next concert I happen to attend, I will bring the wax earplugs I use for sleeping.
But not at Traffic.
Terrible volume, baby.
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