More and more, I come to admire what’s being written on the Continent for film. There really is a whole other world of music out there to explore, and Hollywood would like to think it’s got it licked but as composers like Piovani show there are always new ways to skin a cat.

Franco-Italian style oozes out of every Olive Oil infused pore of this album. You would have absolutely no trouble in identifying this as for either European cinema market. The point though is just how gloriously melodic it all is, and as a collection makes for a wonderful hour’s entertainment. Much of the style looks ahead to the score he will now undoubtedly be associated with - La Vita E Bella (Life Is Beautiful). Coincidentally the first cue is the most reminiscent, with its accordion, guitar, and presumably a real cimbalom. "Polombella Rossa" is followed by an equally lovely tune in "Le mamme ci asciugavano I capelli". These are capped by a sombre combination in "Il sol dell’avvenir" to complete a memorable triplet from the film Palombella Rossa. Nine more scores are subsequently represented.

I’d like to mention the use of voice in some definite highlights. "Mon beau voyage" from Fiorile has an almost Russian male chorus singing in French without accompaniment. It works beautifully followed by the solo fiddle of "La memoria di Jean", and preceded by the rock and roll of "Rock mediceo". The male chorus for "In nome del popolo sovrano" (from the film of the same name) is used very differently to a militaristic tempo, with snares and brassy fanfares. Down a generation to a boy’s choir for "Domani accadrà", and across the tracks for the lovely breathy vocals of Angela Pagano for O’ Re.

There’s an orchestra of guitars to admire in Speriamo Che Sia Femmina, electric guitar and bongos in I Cammelli, a dark string waltz in Il Sole Anche Di Notte, and bittersweet guitar and piano combination that ends the disc in Caro Diario.

You really need to hear what else is out there, and here it is in digestible chunks. Enjoy.

Reviewer

Paul Tonks

Reviewer

Paul Tonks