Customer Reviews

Danson Metropoli - Canzoni Di Paolo Conte

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Danson Metropoli unites northern Italian "cantautore" (singer/songwriter) Paolo Conte with Avion Travel, a well-established and much-loved southern Italian group (from Caserta, near Naples), and this marriage of north and south is an entirely happy one. Their cultural differences notwithstanding, Conte and Avion have compatible sensibilities -- witty, urbane, ironic yet soulful. And Avion in a sense has "colonized" the music, translating some of Conte's lyics into napoletano and in general bringing a southern warmth to the material. This is gorgeous music, beautiflly arranged (by Avion's guitarist Fausto Mesolella)and performed. Avion's inimitable singer, Peppe Servillo, is in fine form, even doing Conte better than Conte. And Mesolella's guitar work is extraordinary. If you've seen Avion live, you know he's great, capable of playing just about anything, inclduing Hendrix. He gets to solo here more than on Avion's other albums, as well as provide color and texture. There's not a weak track on the album, but my favorites include the title song, "Cosa Sai di Me?," "Max," "Spassiunatamente," "Sijmadicandhapjiee," "Elisir" and "Un Vecchio Errore." This is an exceptionally fine album, and I recommend it wholeheatedly.

My wife and I just returned from Italy and stayed a few days in Lucca. One afternnon we went to the Anfiteatro, a 2nd century Roman amphitheater and saw Avion Travel rehearsing for the show to take place that evening. Within a few moments, we knew that this band was something really special. We returned that evening and saw the show which included the entire Danson Metropoli Paolo Conte collection. We absolutely loved it! This group was fantastic and their style was very different that anything we have heard before. It is jazz/pop fusion with the unique Avion Travel style. We purchased the CD the next day. I heartily recommend giving this group a listen and to buy the CD.

2 1/2


If your in the mood for Italian adult contemporary this might feign cultured interest, but intelligent songwriting is merely hinted at between easygoing accessabilities.