The Rough Guide to the Music of Italy

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It's hard to believe that Italy has only existed as a unified country for about 150 years, perhaps, but when you listen to this, you get a real sense of its 20 different regions and their traditions. The fiery tarantellas of the south get a modernist take from saxophonist Daniele Sepe, while Sardinia's Tenores di Bitti (possibly the best-known name here) offer harmonies that seem unworldly and almost primitive in their power. The softer folk music of Piedmont in the north has close associations with English folk in style (even some of their ancient dance music, performed by Silvio Peron and Gabriele Ferrero, is similar to English morris-dance music, except for the bright harmonies). It's a wide, wide range, as in any country, but extraordinarily good listening, and the well-annotated booklet helps novice musical tourists along their way. You don't have to leave home to get Italian sun. --Chris Nickson

The Rough Guide to the Music of Italy,Various Artists,World Music Network,Int'l & World Music,Italian,Italian Folk,Italy,Pop,World Music

Average customer rating:

Rough Guide to Italia Nova Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Cafe Roma, Vol. 2 The Rough Guide to the Music of Italy Café Roma: An Italian Chill Out Experience The Rough Guide to Mediterranean Cafe Music Rough Guide: The Music of Japan ASIN: B0001W30DQ Release Date: 2004-05-17

Tracks:

1. Come L'Aria - Banda Ionica
2. Ronde Noe - Nidi D'Arac
3. Anime Candide - Daniele Sepe
4. Segesta - Lino Cannavacciuolo
5. Aradanse - Alpha Bass
6. Mascare (Witch Mix) - Faraualla
7. Tangerine Cafe - Luigi Cinque
8. Quand Lo Rossinhols Escria - Gai Saber
9. Ta Travudia (The Rootsman Remix) - Rosapaeda
10. Su Dilluru - Mario Rivera
11. Su Dillu Est Goi - Tazenda
12. Cantamaggio - Novalia
13. Tu Chi Strascini - Fratelli Mancuso

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For most Americans, their knowledge of the music of Italy begins with Andrea Bocelli and ends with The Godfather or one of the tacky Mob Hits compilations flogged on late-night TV. However, authentic Italian music is incredibly diverse; each province harbors a specific culture and some populations even speak a separate dialect. Nowadays, younger artists have co-opted hypnotic, tambourine-driven Tarantella trance music from Salento or Neapolitan laments about Mafia victims. With an arsenal of manipulated voices and icily precise beats, they are grafting universal modernity onto proudly isolationist traditions. A few of the tunes, notably "Aradanse" by Alpha Bass (featuring Mascarimini), have intense Arabic or Turkish overtones, not at all surprising considering the history and geography of certain regions. Overall, these 13 tracks are among the most minutely calibrated, breathtakingly inventive folk/club hybrids ever created; past and future are twisted into an ascending helix, revealing each while improving on both. --Christina Roden

Average customer rating: smooth blend Wonderful Introduction to Italian Music Real Italian Music that you WON'T hear all over Italy! Awful!!! It is NOT 'O sole mio' thing!

The Rough Guide to the Music of Italy Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Continental | Europe | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Rough Guide to the Music of France Rough Guide to Music of Greece Rough Guide to the Music of Spain The Rough Guide to Mediterranean Cafe Music Rough Guide: The Music of Japan ASIN: B00004BYZS Release Date: 2001-10-08

Tracks:

1. Tarantella Calabrese - Daniel Sepe
2. Maggio - Riccardo Tesi & Banditaliana
3. Cassisia Agghja 'Intu - Mauro Palmas & Elena Ledda
4. Sera Passaje Pe' Sotto 'Na Cella - Musicalia
5. Grondo Gigo De Blins/Gigo, Cadrio, Pountalero E Balet - Silvio Peron & Gabriele Ferrero
6. Ballate A Ballu Tundu - Tenores Di Bitti
7. Oi, Giovanotti - Bonificia Emiliana Veneta
8. Jone - Banda Ionica
9. Costera - Totore Chessa
10. Il Moru Sarasin - Cantovivo
11. Quanne Sand' Anne - Uaragniaun
12. Mary Dem/Icio - La Piva Dal Carner
13. Va Per Tera/Giga - Campagnia Strumentale Tre Violini
14. Maro Maro - E Zezi
15. Io Vado In Filandria/La Malmaritata - La Macina
16. La Merla - Baraban
17. E Stasira Caminandu - Re Niliu
18. Beica - Ariondela

Amazon.com

It's hard to believe that Italy has only existed as a unified country for about 150 years, perhaps, but when you listen to this, you get a real sense of its 20 different regions and their traditions. The fiery tarantellas of the south get a modernist take from saxophonist Daniele Sepe, while Sardinia's Tenores di Bitti (possibly the best-known name here) offer harmonies that seem unworldly and almost primitive in their power. The softer folk music of Piedmont in the north has close associations with English folk in style (even some of their ancient dance music, performed by Silvio Peron and Gabriele Ferrero, is similar to English morris-dance music, except for the bright harmonies). It's a wide, wide range, as in any country, but extraordinarily good listening, and the well-annotated booklet helps novice musical tourists along their way. You don't have to leave home to get Italian sun. --Chris Nickson

Album Description

From high in the Alps to the Calabrian coast, the traditional music of Italy is as varied as its landscape. This Rough Guide offers a glimpse of the country's rich musical heritage, from the mysterious sounding 'a tenore' singing style of Sardinia to the tarantellas of Naples in the south.

Artists include: Daniel Sepe, Tenores Di Bitti, Riccardo Tesi, La Macina, Banda Ionica, Cantovivo and Totore Chessa

Customer Reviews:

smooth blend.......2007-03-12

The songs/music in this compilation are a smooth blend of aurally pleasing sound that covers updated Italian folk music of the past as well as some poignant Italian folk revival music of the present. Thoroughly enjoyable!!

Wonderful Introduction to Italian Music.......2005-03-19

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.

Real Italian Music that you WON'T hear all over Italy!.......2003-10-03

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.

Awful!!!.......2003-08-16

What a disappointment! Actually, the CD is appalling!!!! This is the kind of music you hear in southern Spain, not Italy. I travel to Europe 4 or 5 times a year & usually to Italy or Spain. Music is my thing - & I plan my trips around musical performances. I have never heard music like that on your CD in Italy in the 40+ years I've traveled there. Makes me de-value Rough Guides in general....

It is NOT 'O sole mio' thing!.......2000-11-24

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!

Average customer rating: Fritz Too bad most of this stuff isn't available in the US.

Rough Guide to the Music of the Alps Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music Switzerland | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music Austria | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rough Guide to Scandinavia Rough Guide to Music of Greece Rough Guide: The Music of Japan The Rough Guide to the Music of Russia The Rough Guide to Klezmer ASIN: B0000668LL Release Date: 2002-07-01

Tracks:

1. Preiere (Switzerland) - Laurence Revey
2. Am Hans Sine (Switzerland) - Alpine Experience
3. Marcha Mai (Italy) - Arco Alpino
4. He-u (Austria) - Attwenger
5. Oh, Wenn Die Sens' (Austria) - Klaus Trabitsch
6. Songta Margriata Part Two (Switzerland) - Corin Curschellas
7. Love Your Life (Austria) - Zabine
8. Heavy Metal Landler (Germany) - Ringsgwandl
9. Coup De Coeur (Austria) - Deishovida
10. Vespa & Adieu Paure Carneval (France) - Corou De Berra
11. Polka (Italy) - Michele Pucci & Giulio Venier
12. Hundling (Germany) - BavaRio
13. Taps, Federn & Schnee (Austria) - Broadlahn
14. Sackamra (Slovenia) - Bratko Bibic
15. Auftanz (Germany) - Die Well-Buam
16. Strasetti D'Arba (Italy) - La Squadra
17. Eno Drevce, Coti? (Slovenia) - Tolovaj Mataj
18. Rigodon De Manse (France) - Rigodon Sauvage
19. Stille Nacht (Austria) - Otto Lechner

Customer Reviews:

Fritz.......2004-03-20

I found this CD a bit boring, too much of it sounds like it could have come from any "euro-pop" album. There are a few interesting pieces that incorporate alpine arrangements and instruments but yet have a contemporary edge, but these don't compensate for what I felt was an otherwise generic sound to this CD.

Too bad most of this stuff isn't available in the US........2003-03-11

I bought this CD after browsing my local Borders for Swiss music for raclette night (a swiss national dish and tradition chez nous). The Rough Guide series is pretty good for giving one a flavour of the country or subject and this seemed a pretty good bet. It's not lots of traditional yodeling, alp horns, or blokes with zithers doing the "Third Man" theme, but it is fairly folky in its tone. Actually, this sounds like some of the more recent celtic/new agey stuff (e.g., Nightnoise) or what the Chieftans have been doing lately. It's a fun change with a strong sampling of music from central Europe and I strongly recommend it.

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