Vasco Rossi
Rewind

Fresh off the success of "Canzoni per me" (1998), surprisingly, Vasco does not announce the usual tour. The only date, June '98, at the Imola racetrack. The crowd for the big occasions rushes in, fans old and new.

"Rewind" (1999) is the perfect, clean, and complete chronicle of that evening. Without frills or makeup, Vasco takes the stage and hurls his homespun rock straight into the faces of his devotees (and, consequently, a far cry from American or British rock) like a kind of local guru. It will be the last time: the bloating of the subsequent "Stupido hotel" (2001) will mark the turning point. Reading the setlist is enchanting. The best is all there (or almost): starting slow and sly with "Quanti anni hai" and continuing with the resurrection of a track that seemed to have faded into the ashes of time "Sballi ravvicinati del terzo tipo." In between, a series of "once upon a time" ("Blasco," "Jenny è pazza," "Mi si escludeva") and many hits ("Vivere," "Siamo solo noi," "Delusa," "C'è chi dice no"). The closing is a formidable double: an almost eternal version of "Vita spericolata," and an equally long and emotional version of "Albachiara."

The unreleased track is "Rewind." Fun, mischievous, radio-friendly, and summer vacation vibe.

What stands out is the absolute stage mastery, the stage animal that takes your breath away, strikes hard, and surprises the fans (the quick acoustic medley that in five minutes almost reviews a career: among others, "Ridere di te" and "Incredibile romantica"). The contagious vitality of the previous "Fronte del palco" (1990) has now turned into unbridled joy and wild (and healthy) rock fever. The best Vasco ever. The last possible one, unfortunately.