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Rating: I don't even know why I'm writing this review. Maybe because I'd really love to listen to a new album or a concert by Faber, but I have to settle for this album of covers attached to the latest issue of "Il mucchio selvaggio extra" (n.10/03).
My first reaction upon seeing yet another tribute was one of absolute disgust, thinking of an instance of post-mortem scavenging. Inconsistently, I couldn't resist and paid my 11 € for the purchase.
I changed my mind after a listen. Many of the interpretations proposed aim to betray the original just enough to make the album quite interesting and not a hypocritical requiem.
The album includes 18 tracks that summarize the long musical history of De André, from historic songs to the troubled concept albums of the '70s, to collaborations with De Gregori, Bubola, Pagani, and Fossati.
The Afterhours offer a beautiful "nocturnal" interpretation of "La canzone di Marinella," characterized by its bass rhythm and nervous guitars in the background. Also notable is the theatrical nature of "Il parto delle nuvole pesanti" in "La guerra di Piero": the opening of the track is recited, highlighting the lyrical power of the text.
Cesare Basile sings "La Ballata degli impiccati," made unsettling by the organ, percussion, and electronic effects. The barbaric Chichimeca bravely take on "Coda di Lupo." Yo Yo Mundi photocopy "Creuza de mä," while Claudio Lolli "recites" "Via del campo." "Amore che vieni amore che vai" becomes a sort of tango in the interpretation by Têtes de Bois.
Unfortunate episodes include the interpretation of "Andrea" by Rosaluna and "Monti di Mola" by Mariposa, but overall they do not diminish the album.
The tribute is ultimately all there, and you can see that it's heartfelt. Well... these days, that's not a small thing.
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