9th: BALLAD FOR 4 SEASONS

After three albums, one of which was in Italian, Graziani officially debuts on a record label by releasing this album in 1976. While it contains many of the elements that will characterize Ivan's style starting the following year, Ballad for 4 Seasons is still an album with many aspects not fully refined. Nevertheless, it features very well-crafted arrangements that range from rock to singer-songwriter, and in cases like Donna della terra or Dimmi ci credi tu, they take center stage, delivering instrumental passages of absolute prestige. There are also noteworthy pieces in terms of lyrics, such as the ironic/romantic E sei così bella or the bitter Come, including the title track Ballad for 4 Seasons, a singer-songwriter piece with a text that remains a rare case in the guitarist's repertoire: a bitter reflection on the passing of time, on the seasons gone by that have lost their youthful charm and become monotonous. In conclusion, Ballad for 4 Seasons is Ivan's first step towards maturity, with still many passages to refine but already hinting at the potential of the Abruzzese singer.

The gem: Ballata Per 4 Stagioni