Mariano Apicella
L'Ultimo Amore

HELLO EVERYONE and welcome to this fantastic site where everyone can review the most various musical and non-musical works.

I hope to live up to the many very talented people I have been reading for a while, and I have always wanted to write one myself, so... Here is my first review: I am reviewing "L'Ultimo Amore" by the GREAT Mariano Apicella.

Mariano Apicella, as I was saying, is an artist who absolutely needs no introduction. I believe everyone has seen his numerous TV appearances and little segments where Apicella showcased his talent. Anyway, let me introduce him: a champion of TRUE MUSIC with a capital "M", far removed from the "sophistications" and "big words" of many so-called "intellectuals" who, alas, plague even many reviews on this site. I'm not trying to be contentious, I'm not against anyone in particular, eh! But for the sake of justice and truth, wouldn't it be so much better if everyone had the opportunity to freely express their opinions? And by the way, the site is beautiful.

But let's get back to this wonderful album, or rather CD, by Mariano Apicella. With lyrics guessed by whom? Come on, you know it, you rascals! Okay, since it's you, I'll give you a few hints. He's the greatest Italian statesman of recent years, a fascinating man and a crowd-pleaser, slightly balding, not very tall but well-proportioned, in the prime of his maturity but still passionate about his work, politics, and his country, and it's a "miracle" that he finds the time (!) to write the inspired lyrics of this album, lyrics that nearly ooze with the great love he has for WOMEN in all their forms and incarnations.

Alright, okay, I agree, the lyrics are beautiful, but, you'll tell me, what about the MUSIC? Trust me, I know quite a bit about music, I have a nice collection of CDs at home (all original!), and I listen to all kinds of music, with no prejudice, from the sweet pop of Cesare Cremonini to the more "rock" and rebellious sounds of Shakira. And so I tell you: trust me, I know about music. And here there's so much MUSIC, wonderfully interesting and even a touch of novelty compared to many Neapolitan and traditional music productions.

It's very difficult to choose among the many beautiful songs that nestle within the grooves of this CD, then "de gustibus" as they say... However, I particularly liked "Ciucculata e cafè," which talks about a beautiful Brazilian woman with a rhythm in her blood, and also "Tempo di Rumba," a South American or Spanish song that almost feels like a tango, played with congos and maracas, or castanets.

And also, it's practically impossible to resist the beautiful and magical moments when Mariano sings in Neapolitan, the most musical language in the world as everyone knows, he gives us a lesson in melody that some other artists, even much more famous, can only dream of!

The sound of the album is very "warm" and sunny, always catchy but also gives us a good glimpse of Mariano's intimate side, but above all, it's this beautiful sense of Italian-ness that triumphs, the awareness that we are, have been, and always will be the country of sun and bel canto, and it must be said that the album fully hits its target, with its "enchanting" and "mischievous" MELODIES, in the tradition but "never banal", an album that will accompany you through many beautiful "moments," in a languid candlelit evening as well as in certain thoughtful and misty dawns, a complete collection of moods, but with a gentle and constant attentiveness and a touch of gallantry towards the female universe, the true cross and delight of all of us in love men.

An album that will surely be like good wine, which gets better with age. And yet it is still a masterpiece. The time for the review is over, and it's now only left to say thank you Mariano, thank you from all of us. Long live Italy!