Umberto Tozzi
Yesterday, Today

THE REVIEW

"YESTERDAY, TODAY": that is, songs of yesterday, songs of today; and upon closer inspection, we can notice that the reference is not only to the respective dated hits on one side and the new songs on the other.

In the first CD of unreleased songs, for example, Tozzi, despite his modernity, draws from the thematic musical material that distinguished him in the past years. It's no coincidence that for certain songs flashbacks, or recalls of musical atmospheres already present in other tracks, emerge, so to speak. In short, the TOZZI STYLE that we all know and love is back! Listening to the album of unreleased tracks, the LEITMOTIV, or the overarching theme from a textual point of view, is largely based on love and feelings, in their various nuances; with exceptions in some songs where social issues, in the difficult daily life of the economic crisis we are experiencing, are highlighted.

From a musical perspective, the CD of unreleased tracks, after several years of silence (the words of 2005), appears an especially inspired work, in which the threads of Rock and Blues Ballad are masterfully arranged and above all interpreted by a voice (Umberto's, indeed), which is back in full, stunning form! For my part, frankly, it's quite difficult to rank or assign a particular score to each track (I hope I haven't disappointed anyone because of this!). I can only say what struck me the most after a few listens (positively, of course).

For example, the track "SORRIDI AMORE", which some had criticized, I found it engaging: it's like opening a window and finding a beautiful sunny day. In short, if I had to compare it with another one, it's like "HURRAH'S YOUNGER SISTER", but with a slightly better text; in the sense that Tozzi himself stated several times that the lyrics of Hurrah were terrible. In short, a great start as never before, in my opinion.

The second track "MI APRI O NO" starts with a persistent rhythmic part that recalls "MARIA NO"; indeed, it seems like a virtual continuation of that story (do you remember when Umberto mentioned "Non c'è ragione che tu soffra di gelosia"?). Well, now it is plausible to think that he is begging her for the aforementioned reason. And fortunately, the story concludes positively. Regarding this, I believe that the final female vocal intervention fits "like a glove," as I find the dialogue in this song a natural matter and not trivial or contrived! Let's say it's a bit like what happens between the characters in a Musical, for example.

"SE TU NON FOSSI QUI": a sunny, energetic, and engaging track, rightfully the leading single of the CD, in which Tozzi sings with remarkable vocal range, a younger sister, so to speak, to "ANCHE SE TU NON VUOI", with a definitely better text, talking about feelings (my destiny is to be with you); what woman wouldn't enjoy such a sentence?

"DONNA": a wonderful single, perhaps among the most beautiful of Today, in which more than ever the text and music (blues-ballad) blend perfectly! As a good romantic, the track has fully resonated with the "STRINGS OF MY SOUL". It would then be obvious to state that there are delicate recalls to "GENTE DI MARE", as a musical sound.

"ESSERCI": the first melodic echoes initially of "POSE" (tender is the summer for the hummingbird), while for the chorus I immediately thought of "BARBARA"; but in any case, the track is of great quality. I have no doubts about that!

"NIENTE PER ME": Rock in great style, in which once again, Umberto sings divinely, even surpassing himself! In my opinion, it has nothing to envy, not even to Vasco!

"COME STAI": here we are facing a real EMBROIDERY! Chilling and engaging vocal passages in falsetto at the beginning, while in the chorus, the "AH AH AH" is very impressive (nothing to do with the CIU' CIU' CIU' of "ANCHE SE TU NON VUOI").

"NORMALE": a track that immediately strikes with its originality at first listen; another particularly inspired single.

"ADESSO SEI": a very sweet, evocative, and descriptive track in the lyrics, a melodic ballad perfect for a slow dance with your partner or, if you prefer, "by candlelight". A melodic-romantic thread of Tozzi that I adore, no less than the Rock-rhythmic one, naturally.

"NEVE ROSA": perhaps the weakest track of the entire CD; in my humble opinion, too syrupy. Honestly, I expected more. If I were in Tozzi's shoes, instead of this track, I would have rather included the track ANDREA SONG, while the same NEVE ROSA as a separate single on iTunes.

In conclusion to this long commentary on Yesterday, Today, the first 4 significant singles to propose are as follows:

SE TU NON FOSSI QUI

MI APRI O NO

COME STAI?

DONNA