Marlene Kuntz
San Salvo Marina (CH) 19.8.2005

THE REVIEW

Gray and sad clouds cover the sky of San Salvo Marina (CH)... it's 4 PM and a fine drizzle tries to bother the technicians setting up the stage... uncertainty, a series of phone calls... rumors of a date postponement... and the work is temporarily suspended.
But the sun soon reappears and the sky clears up... a general sigh of relief and especially from yours truly! The show will go on as scheduled!

Umberto Palazzo and the Santo Niente reach the municipal field... they will be opening the evening... immediately after, the arrival of Godano & company... for an inspection and sound check. The gates open and the front rows are filled in no time, but clearly just behind the spaces are wide, allowing for more breathing room. The wait is very short... and Santo Niente kick off the show with 5 of their tracks, closing with the classic “Aria”.

Finally, the Marlene! Bergia, Ellis, Marroccolo, Tesio, and him, Cristiano Godano, black pants and white shirt, long hair and unkempt beard, with a closed fist as a greeting... each in their place.
The sweet notes of “Bellezza” introduce a wonderful evening and with “Canzone di domani” it becomes evident how Cristiano is particularly inspired... really kicking off strong: “Primo maggio”,“1°2°3°”,“A fior di pelle”, slowing down with the eerie “Amen” and picking up again with “Festa mesta”, although less lively than usual.
Then tracks from the new album like “Il solitario”... with a grand chorus by Rob Ellis and “La cognizione del dolore”... which moves, thanks to Godano's emotive voice. The battle horses: “Nuotando nell’aria”, “Sonica”, “Ineluttabile”... which live as it's known... are true masterpieces.
A classic piece like “Cenere” is brought back... here comes the frenzy. .. unleashed! Cristiano is unleashed! with his horrifying convulsions.
A masterpiece of interpretation with “E poi il buio”... the performance is worth the entire evening, the mimicry impeccable and the execution chills-inducing! Continuing in the wake of a delicate and heart-wrenching atmosphere: “Schiele, lei, me”... performed with just voice and keyboard, and then “L’inganno”... with all the guitar pain in the finale.
It's not over yet. Usual return to the stage for the encore... with “A chi succhia”, “Mondo cattivo” and the inevitable “Ape regina” that denotes the Marlene essence. The final piece is “Grazie”, a sweet epilogue to an evening that truly satisfied everyone: from the loyal and nostalgic fans of the old albums to a more refined audience.