Mercanti di Liquore
Mai Paura

"Mai Paura" (1991), the second CD from the Monza-based group, features eleven intense and engaging songs.
The album begins with a version of Jamìn-a by Fabrizio De André, one of the many songs turned into covers by the Mercanti (who take their name from one of Faber's characters).
We also find other De André covers, such as Andrea or the famous Bocca di Rosa, La città vecchia, and as the sixth track on the album, a beautiful version of Il testamento di Tito.
It's worth noting that De André's lyrics, in the much more folk rendition performed by the Mercanti, absolutely do not lose their beauty.
However, the group's lyrics certainly stand in no shadow to Faber's, both in what they aim to communicate and in the extraordinary nature of the music.
Equally stunning is Una storia sbagliata, in which we find all the emotions that, indeed, a "wrong" story can evoke?.
Next, we encounter "Fame nera," where the Mercanti express their disdain for the world's injustices. The penultimate track is the sweet Ninna Nanna, which precedes the closing song "Mercanti di liquore," where the peculiarities of the group itself are described.
What else is there to say, except that it is a very beautiful and complete CD, suitable for those who love folk, for those who love De André, and for anyone who loves good music.


I thank my friend Ale for the great help she gave me in writing this review!