Customer Reviews

La Voce Del Padrone

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just relax and hear the birds crying over the sax playing louder and louder in Summer On A Solitary Beach.If Genius is the difficult simpleness of easy-listening,then La Voce Del Padrone is some kind of Stockhausen revisited through the eyes of early 80s new wave mixed with refined lyrics.

This CD was immensely popular at the time of its release in Italy. It was 1983, and the syncopate rhythm of Battiato was a novelty in the conservative Italian pop music. The obscure esoteric lyrics added a noble dimension to the songs. Widely recommended as the mirror of an era where the Italians increased dramatically the quality of their living.

Throughout the 70's, Franco Battiato has built a reputation in Italy as an "avante garde" artist, producing such pieces as "Fetus," "Clic," and "Pollution." Suddenly, in the early 80's, "Il Voce. . . " surfaces. At first listen, I couldn't believe that I was listening to Franco Battiato. Of all things, the master of avante garde has turned "commercial."

Make no mistake about it, this is great Italian pop with catchy and, at times, very sophisticated lyrics -- even when it appears that Il Padronne is toying with us. Indeed, Franco Battiato is a Maestro! For those of us who miss the "not-so-commercial" Franco Battiato, just listen to the opening lines of "Gli Uccelli" -- Guaranteed to take the listener back to the days of "Fetus" or "Pollution."

Although the CD is predominantly sung in Italian, Battiato treats us to some English lyrics. Battiato's voice is extremely "limited." However, the Maestro uses it to sheer perfection.

I definitely recommend this CD -- especially for those who like Euro pop. Also, this is the CD to purchase if you are just being introduced to the music of Franco Battiato. I am sure that once you listen to this CD, you'll be hooked on Franco Battiato.

This is probably the best of Battiato's C

This album introduced me to Franco Battiato's music back in the 1980's. It is a wonderful album by one of the greatest composers and songwriters of the 20th century, in any language.

Effettivamente questo album fu una rivoluzione culturale e musicale, soprattutto per quelli della mia generazione (1969). La musica coinvolgente, solo apparentemente commerciale, unita agli strepitosi e raffinatissimi testi, produssero un album di eccezionale valore artistico. Sono passati oltre vent'anni, eppure, ogni volta che mi metto gli occhiali da sole, non riesco a non pensare a quel "carisma e sintomatico mistero" che, forse, anch'io vado cercando: questo continua a farmi sorridere; non esiste un'altra canzone che mi produca un effetto "fisico" così tangibile! Franco Battiato è davvero uno dei più colti e intelligenti interpreti della musica italiana di questi ultimi 25 anni. Un artista che riesce ad esprimere anche nei suoi concerti (dal 1982 al 2002 ho avuto la fortuna di vederne alcuni) tutto il suo straordinario valore.

If this CD had been released in the US I think it would have been really popular... It's definitely got an 80s sound, but it's also very sophisticated sounding... and distinctly Italian... I love every track.

This will make a wonderful addition to your eclectic CD collection! Now I have to research his other music...