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Rating: - The Live Performances of Telespalla N°4 -
Italian music presents a multitude of realities that over the years have built a respectable career thanks to a series of positive elements that can vary from the music, to the lyrics, to the concert attitude, to the mindset. Among the groups that fit this definition, Mercanti di Liquore stand out, a band from Brianza that made a name for themselves with their remarkable ability to perform covers of Fabrizio De André. Over the years, they have showcased their own possibilities thanks to a well-constructed folk, rebellious lyrics (as they have defined them), and a concrete, extremely valid style. In recent years they have also been admired alongside Marco Paolini in his shows and in two albums (the latest, "Miserabili", released very recently).
The Provincial Democratic Festival of Brescia (to be clear, the successor of the Festa dell'Unità) included a concert by Mercanti di Liquore among its musical events, likely persuaded by last year's success. Around 10 PM, the concert started, and the band took the stage, immediately inviting the audience to move closer. Those present didn't need to be told twice, and many stood directly in front of the stage. Others, probably more sluggish, simply moved their chairs forward from their original position. After a brief adjustment, the music began, starting with "La Musica dei Poveri", a classic from their intriguing repertoire. Afterwards, two tracks from "che/cosa/te/ne/fai/di/un/titolo", "La Semiautomatica" and "La Moglie Brontolona"; both enjoyable and amusing tracks. Then there was room for an unreleased song titled "Ieri Sera Sono Apparso alla Madonna": an appeal for the Virgin to protect the inhabitants of his town. These initial tracks gave a sense of the group's style: musically, two lively classical guitars and an effective and intense accordion, textually, a lesson from De André with a suggestive journey into a simple and richly dignified popular cosmos that evades certain rules of moralism and cultural superiority. All of this creates emotions and offers them in an extremely pleasant manner to the listener.
As the performance progressed, listeners could enjoy songs from their most famous album, "La Musica dei Poveri", moving from the poignant "Apecar" to the humorous "Cecco il Mugnaio". There was also room for two covers of De André, "Nella Mia Ora di Libertà" and "Un Blasfemo", performed very well, and even a poem by Gianni Rodari titled "Il Punto". The first part concluded with "Lombardia", a sui generis tribute to the region from which the group hails.
The end of the first set and the transition to a highly anticipated encore. After all, the most beautiful things are worth waiting for. Here, the group warmed the audience again with De André’s lyrics, going from "Bocca di Rosa" to "Testamento di Tito", particularly beautiful and enriched by a splendid interaction with the audience, with the version of "Gorilla". Of course, there was also room for their own songs, such as a slower version of "La Musica dei Poveri" and a splendid performance of a track titled "L’Italia". The final climax came with the last song, a great hallmark of their concerts: a medley between "Il Sergente della Neve", a track written with Marco Paolini, and "La Guerra di Piero". A fantastic and extremely anti-military finale.
The final balance was once again positive. I speak of a band of immense value that manages to meet the great expectations of those who come to their concerts, while also captivating those who do not know them. This is no small feat, considering it is not at all easy to amaze on all fronts, especially in the world of music.
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