Pietra Montecorvino
Napoli Mediterranea

Let's say this album has some open questions. Opinions are strongly divided. There are some who describe Pietra's voice as rough, intense, and sensual. Others, like me, frankly, describe it as just suffering. But who is Pietra Montecorvino? Who is this undefined individual? She is the wife of Eugenio Bennato, brother of the well-known singer from Bagnoli, Edoardo Bennato. It's read everywhere that the two brothers “discovered” Pietra's “amazing” voice, but I seriously doubt even that. Anyway, putting aside my malice, let's talk about the album. It is a CD of Neapolitan music, between classic songs and those written by Eugenio. The tracklist is:

1. Guaglione
2. O sole mio
3. Luna Rossa
4. Comme Facette...
5. Va sta musica va
6. Palomme e notte
7. Dove sta Zazà
8. Mare di Napoli
9. Sole Sole
10. Aspettanno
11. Ninna nanna 2002
12. Maruzzella
13. Oi vita mia
14. Senza voce


As you may have noticed, it's a very long suffering! (how mean am I, ihiihihih ;)). But let's talk about each song.
1.Guaglione: Well, there's one thing to say, apart from Pietra showing in this piece the maximum of her huskiness and mediocre vocal power, the music, obviously curated by Eugenio, is quite appreciable, overlooking some small details. Nevertheless, I still believe that if Renzo Arbore listened to it, he would have a fit! ;)
2.O sole mio: Perhaps, overlooking the beginning, it's the only song on the CD that Pietra kind of saves, but Eugenio's music is flunked, which I assure you, is chilling. It's techno, it's Arabic, it's oriental, you don't really know what it is, but unfortunately, it is!
3.Luna Rossa: Don't be fooled, beware, beware, at first, it seems decent. The virtuosity of the percussion seems to seduce the ear, but further along, Pietra's voice redeems itself, as usual, in its "great" expressiveness, its pitch, and its great sense of timing. I find it an offense to a tradition, honestly. Well, at least they put in the effort.
4.Comme facette: This track, as someone might say, is the epitome of ugliness. Pietra shows off her musical virtuosity. It starts out screaming and ends screaming. But the pinnacle is reached when it's discovered that Eugenio, besides adding a second voice to cover Pietra's blunders, throws Rap into the mix. And then? Centuries of Neapolitan musical tradition burned in an instant. That takes skill, huh!
5.Va sta musica va: Here's the debut of dear Eugenio, who "pleasantly" duets with his wife. How sweet they are. From Rap, to Neapolitan, to French. I'm listening to it now, and I swear, it's dreadful.
6.Palomme e notte: Another deceptive song. At the beginning, it seems a bit rock and pleasant. But Pietra's voice slowly degrades to total destruction. Four minutes of the same song, without the slightest variation, with Pietra lamenting. What more could you want from life?
7.Dove sta zazà: Now, this is laughable. It falls into the ridiculous. The Middle Eastern music and the song, to say the least ridiculous, leave me with only one comment: MONSTROUS, a SUFFERING.
8.Mare di Napoli Oh dear, there's crying to be done, yet another lament lasting 4 minutes and Neapolitan mixed with Arabic. Ridiculous.
9.Sole sole: I'd like to know, what does Pietra have to complain about? This song is actually not bad. In fact, the tune is catchy, the lyrics are pleasant. Why does Pietra lament? Why is there Bin Laden underneath lamenting? Ask Eugenio!
10.Aspettanno: What is it? What happened? It's dreadful, it's not entirely clear what produces these lamenting sounds. It's simply terrible!
11.Ninna nanna 2002: This, actually, as a lullaby, doesn't work. Apart from the title being pathetic. But instead of putting you to sleep, it gives you nightmares. Even though the music is remotely salvageable, there's still PIETRA!
12.Maruzzella: Yet another APOCALYPSE OF JUNK. Very catchy music, sure, but the second voice is beautiful, a masterpiece, and PIETRA is just about to vomit. Me too, to tell the truth. I feel offended.
13.Oi vita mia: Well, let's start by saying that both PIETRA and EUGENIO are ignorant. They might even have a degree with honors, but they should know that the title of this song is O surdato annammurato. But they don't know. And not only does he allow his wife to mess up an amazing song from the Neapolitan musical tradition, but he also botches the title. Another HOLY MESS. And the electric guitar, they could have spared us. My goodness, what a disaster!
14.Senza voce: And I believe you're without voice, even Dickinson wouldn't be able to do better! It starts, and already makes you hope it ends soon. What does she have to complain about? It's terrible. A funeral march is more cheerful. The Cure are carefree in comparison.

And now enough, it's the last track and I can't wait to remove this monstrosity of a CD. Anyway, it's a ridiculous, terribly boring, monstrous CD and it's chilling. Clearly, it's not recommended for sensitive people and children under 21 years old.