Rough Guide to Music of Italy

Various Artists - International - Europe - Continental, Rough Guide (Series) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 8, 2001)
• Original Release Date: February 22, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: World Music Network
• ASIN: B00004BYZS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,655 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Real Italian Music that you WON'T hear all over Italy!, October 2, 2003

By 

S. Morgan (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rough Guide to Music of Italy (Audio CD)

Please don't pay attention to Cassondra! She may have traveled extensively in Italy, but she obviously doesn't know anything about Italian music! Everything on this CD is Italian, not at all Spanish! If there is a slight similarity between some Italian folk music and Spanish folk it may be because much of Italy was dominated by Aragon for many years. But this music IS Italian, no mistake about it. I wonder, does Cassondra think that these Italian musicians went to Spain and copied the music especially for this CD?

This CD features a variety of Italian musical styles. The CD opens with a taranella, you can't get any more Italian than that! But who would have thought a taranetlla would sound so good with a saxaphone? The musical journey winds through the penninsula and islands of Italy with a wonderful mix of songs and tunes played using traditional instruments with the occasional addition of a contemporary instrument and arrangement. The songs are sung in various dialects. The musicians highlighted are respected in their field. The songs range from whimsical to bawdy to melancholic.

I highly recommend this CD to anyone who wants an overview to contemporary Italian roots music.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is NOT 'O sole mio' thing!, November 24, 2000

By 

"rudo_bomba" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rough Guide to Music of Italy (Audio CD)

OK. We all know what Italian music is like, don't we?

Well, I thought I knew before I bought this gem. But music I heard open my eyes (or should I say ears?) to the variety of styles and genres Italy has to offer. Not to bore you: If this CD had only one track (no. 8. Jone - unfortunately you can not hear a sample) it would be worth its price. The brass band plays something that sounds like funeral melody, and it is so filled with emotions and sadness that it brings tears to your eyes. If you too live for those rare moments of beauty and elevation, this CD will definitely give you one.

I guarantee it!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Introduction to Italian Music, March 18, 2005

By 

Vincent E. Vizachero (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rough Guide to Music of Italy (Audio CD)

The Rough Guide have put together a very high-quality introduction to traditional Italian music. Many of the brightest stars in Italian roots music are represented here: Riccardo Tesi, Re Niliu, Elena Ledda, Tenores di Bitti, and more. The collection represents great diversity of style and geography, and should serve as a great introduction to the music of Italy.

Modern Italians might be more likely to be listening to pop-driven radio hits than the diverse and mature traditional music represented here, but I highly recommend this compilation to anyone with an adventurous ear and even the mildest interest in Italian culture.