Riccardo Tesi, Lucilla Galeazzi, Elena Ledda, Ginevra di Marco, Gigi Biolcati, Andrea Salvadori, Alessio Lega – Bella Ciao (Buda Musique 4759288, 2015)
Bella Ciao revisits an essential 1964 show that marked the revival of Italian folk songs, the Nuovo Canzionere Italiano. Accordionist and composer Ricardo Tesi spearheaded the project, bringing together some of today’s finest vocalists and instrumentalists in Italian folk music.
The iconic artists recreated the songs their way, without restrictions, although they kept the essence. The selection includes marble quarry worker (a very dangerous profession) songs, songs of struggle, textile worker songs, rice field chants, migrant laborer songs, prison chants, protest songs, harvest songs, Sardinian sacred chants, anti-war songs, and suggestive songs.
The extensive CD booklet provides an introduction by Tesi, descriptions of the songs and the lyrics in Italian, English and French.
The lineup on Bella Ciao includes Riccardo Tesi as musical director, arranger and accordionist; Lucilla Galeazzi on vocals; Elena Ledda on vocals; Ginevra Di Marco on vocals; Alessio Lega on vocals; Andrea Salvadori on guitar, tzouras (a Greek instrument related to the bouzouki), harmonium and arrangements; and Gigi Biolcati on percussion, vocals and body percussion. Guests include Mirco Capecchi on upright bass and Michele Marini on clarinet.
Bella Ciao is an outstanding recreation of popular Italian folk songs and chants recorded by some of the most talented musicians and vocalist in the current Italian folk and world music scene.
Buy Bella Ciao in the Americas
Buy Bella Ciao in Europe
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
