Customer Reviews

Italian Musical Odyssey

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love this CD. If for not other reason, buy it for Lucilla Galeazzi's sublime "Quante stelle nel cielo con la luna". Her voice is strong yet smooth. Her delivery is moving. Unfortunately, her music is hard to find, so I get it where I can. Luckily, this CD also has many other gems touching on several major styles of contemporary Italian folk music. This music polished and by true musicians singing in Italian an in dialect. It is well produced and played. Kick back and enjoy!

This CD of Italian folk music is an absolutely wonderful audio tour showcasing the individuality of different regions. Listen and experience the "heart and soul" and unique beauty of each region of the country, from northern Italy to Sicily. As a second generation Italian-American, I find listening to this CD is the next best thing to being there.

My mom was born in Sicily and I was browsing through the CD samples looking for Italian music from her place of birth. How lucky to have stumbled upon this CD! It only has a couple of pieces from Sicily, but it "grabbed" me from the very first note...and it got better and better. Then, "Quante stelle nel cielo con la luna" is, in my opinion, one of the best songs in the CD. The singer has a strong, crystal clear, and, in spite of the strength, very sweet voice...wonderful interpretation. I must confess that I was not familiar with this type of music. This is a contemporary approach to traditional music. Folk music with a wonderful touch. There are various interpreters, so you get the full taste of different styles. The blend of instruments, styles and voices is just beautiful. Some pieces are sweet, some so lively that you feel like dancing, and all are wonderful. I will have to get extra copies for my son and my sister.

What a pleasure to listen to this CD. The songs are enchanting, and as always, very well chosen by Putumayo.

I was not familiar with this style of Italian music - very different from Italian pop - but it is very easy to appreciate and get addicted to. You could really tell the influence of traditional values on the songs: the music, the singers' voices, etc.

Authentic Italian, strongly recommend it.

This is truly an amazing album. Wonderful music throughout. Italy sure does have more music going for it, than classical and opera. And this album showcases 11 great songs from traditional folk to more modern compositions, although even those are in the traditional style. The 23 page booklet is great, with a 2 page essay on Italy and its music, and a photo and information on each artist and song featured. Another good thing about these songs, is that a lot of the old traditional instruments are used. It is so good to know that their are artists who keep alive the old songs, instruments and tradition.

Excellent composition and sound quality. If you want an Italian alternative to 'Volare' etc. then this is definitely worth a listen. We bought it to play in our Italian restaurant and it was ideal for this giving our regulars a refreshing alternative to the usual rat pack sounds. It is quite unusual in some places but very enjoyable with catchy songs. Excellent music to kick back and read to or have playing whilst having guests for dinner.

I am happy of my purchase~! I had no idea about Italian music, and wanted to start explore. I purchased this CD simply because of the rating. I am glad I did~! I really enjoy this CD with lots of variety and beautiful music. I am also waiting on well known Classic Italian music CDs, but this one is more pop easy to listen collection of Italian Music.

Odyssey, yes! This album is a journey into different regions of Italy. The songs in this collection are not exactly the traditional folk songs. They do arise, however, from the folk traditions of the peninsula. In fact, most of the songs presented in "Italian Musical Odyssey" are sung in dialect. Vocalizations are superb; presentation upbeat. Here is the sound of cultural diversity through a heritage of unity. It reminds me of my own student days in Torino when, on special occasions and at our gatherings, the students would sing something from all the different regions, in dialect. It was amazing how quickly everyone learned the sound, the story and the spirit of the others' home territories. This same dynamic is at work in this "Italian Musical Odyssey". For Italians, even the new songs will bring a sense of nostalgia. For non-Italians, the songs will offer a new look of the many lands that make up Italy.

This is truly an amazing album. Wonderful music throughout. Italy sure does have more music going for it, than classical and opera. And this album showcases 11 great songs from traditional folk to more modern compositions, although even those are in the traditional style. The 23 page booklet is great, with a 2 page essay on Italy and its music, and a photo and information on each artist and song featured. Another good thing about these songs, is that a lot of the old traditional instruments are used. It is so good to know that their are artists who keep alive the old songs, instruments and tradition.