Statuto
Le strade di Torino

Always tough and pure, Statuto. They have had to endure incredible things in recent years, from the continuous ostracism of certain Turin circles that led them to bid artistic farewell to their city (meaning they decided not to play in Turin anymore), to the shameful mockeries towards oSKAr during a period when he was ill, to other continuous provocations that you can find news about on their website.
The recently released disc includes just their last concert in Turin, at Teatro Juvarra on October 16, 2004, as well as the entertaining video of "Facci un goal" featuring a former Torino star (I recall that Statuto are big fans of Torino), Paolino Pulici, the legendary "Puliciclone," and a filmed segment of the concert.

Ready, set, and go, with oSKAr shouting into the microphone: "HEY, YOU! LOOK HERE! LISTEN TO STATUTO! CATCH THIS TREMENDOUS SOUND!" and here's "Un passo avanti", a cover of an iconic track by Madness. This is followed by two other covers of Bad Manners, "6-8-1945 Bombe su Hiroshima" and "Laura", which is an Italianization of "Lorraine", a song I remember well from the singer's Sanremo performance. Also "Non cambiare mai" is a cover, then they start with their own songs, marked by passion, energy, rhythm, and (lots of) fun. "I campioni siamo noi" is dedicated to the FIAT employees on layoff, "only we who win even when losing." "Invito a una festa" is the fun of going to a party in a group without being invited, "Come me" is oSKAr's satisfaction in realizing that he is not the only one thinking and living a certain way. Statuto also talk about love, and then "Voglio te", with a beautiful melody, very direct and simple. Effective. "Bella come sei" is the description of one of the group's girls, and advice not to suffer for love at fifteen when one could change the whole world. "Cos'è" is another effective song written with Paolo Belli about the possible effects of sudden success, which then disappears as quickly as it came. "Sole mare" is a pure delight, while "Vattene sceriffo" is another of their social denunciations.
Their strongest hits, such as "Saluti dal mare", "Piera", or the very mocking "Abbiamo vinto il festival di Sanremo", with which, in 1992, they had the grand idea of presenting themselves... at the Sanremo festival in the "New Proposals" category. "Grande", with the collaboration of journalist Gian Paolo Ormezzano, is a piece dedicated to the Grande Torino and written in 1999, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Superga tragedy. They also revisit pieces from their first albums and singles, like "Vacanze", or "Io Dio", from 1986, "Ghetto", "Ragazzo ultrà", and "Qui non c'è il mare".

The second disc also contains a mini acoustic set with some pieces to remember some of their friends who are no longer with us. "Coriandoli a Natale" is a piece written by Gigi Restagni, "Pugni chiusi" is dedicated to two deceased friends, while "Piazza Statuto" is dedicated to all the mods from the square in Turin from which they also take their name.
At some moments, special guests take the stage and sing and play together with them, including drummer Tony Face Bacciocchi, singer Nunzio "Ometto" Orlando, Luca Barbieri (who sings "Torino è la mia città", a song almost Clash-like), Matteo Cantamessa who sometimes does the choirs, and Gamba with dances and ballets. The concert then closes with the most intense ska, with old revivals ("Borghesi") and other covers, including the instrumental "Wipe out", with a rhythm and melody that remind me a lot of certain late '60s parties.

What else can be said? Apart from the fact that for all Italian mods and ska enthusiasts, getting this double disc is almost a must (but I'm sure many have already done so), it's a very enjoyable album, one that can be listened to very well from the first to the last track.
Recall that Statuto are: oSKAr on vocals, Naska on drums, Mister No on guitars, and Don Robe on bass.