#sundayrevival Groovejet (If this ain't love) - Spiller (feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor)

Groovejet - Spiller (feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor)

Today I spent a nice day at the pool with a friend from University who came to visit from Milan, the weather forecast was quite unstable and totally untrustworthy in the past few days, but the sky turned out to be painted with a great shade of blue and no clouds! Going back and forth on my father's car and while hanging out at the pool I have been listening to my 2000s favourites playlist (part 1) and of course I couldn't not pick something out of it for today's sundayrevival! (And yet I did, as this song is featured in the part 2). I picked this 2000 hit that the radios couldn't play often enough when it rocked the charts, and I never complained about listening to it, ever!

Call me - Elli de Mon

It's been a while since I last listened to Elli de Mon, an Italian blues/rock singer-songwriter I got to know last summer as she opened a concert I've been to. I really liked her music and bought her debut album online, an album I have greatly enjoyed! I don't know why (the incipit of) this song has come back to my mind 5 minutes ago, but it did! And I forgot how I love this funky blues beat, it really takes me back to my beautiful field research adventure in US Mid-west a few years ago... great, great times! Click on the link hereunder to go to a page where you can listen to the song!

Call me - Elli de Mon

Spell - Elli de Mon

Spell - Elli de Mon

Tomorrow is the last day of the longest consecutive amount of time I spent here in Veneto (I guess), it's been 12 days and it seems like forever... quite a few things have happened this time around (mostly outside office time), but I can't say I'm sad to get away from here for a while, rather... One week of Thailand is waiting for me after a one-day weekend, which means it's gonna be tough, and then I'll be back here, hopefully with a nicer perspective, i.e. of making my next trip to Bangkok a longer one! I've been hoping for this since March, and I'm actually getting a bit tired of staying here, so let's see how things are going to play out...!

Shade - Elli de Mon

Shade - Elli de Mon

One more song by the talented onegirlband from Veneto, I've really been taken away by her debut album, now I wish I could see her play live again! I'm sure you're gonna have a hard time keeping yor body still listening to this song, which reminds me a lot of PJ Harvey! I'll use this post also to celebrate the last day of work (tomorrow) before the "forced" two-week holidays, that are happening in the worst time of year (of course), let's hope that the weather will keep good and hot at least!! Have a good night!

Walk away - Elli de Mon

I introduced you to Elli on the blog last week, after I really enjoyed her opening act at a festival in Padua and after I bought her debut album on iTunes (the first time in I-don't-know-how-many-years) that I bought something on Apple's platform! I don't know what else to add about her, apart from again suggesting you give a try to her music (if you haven't already) to enjoy this very good mix of blues, rock, folk, punk and more!
Unfortunately I couldn't find any video with the song on YouTube, but if you click on the link below the picture hereunder, you'll be redirected to a page where you can stream it for free! It's just 2 minutes of your time, not such a big investment, is it?

Walk away - Elli de Mon 

Leave this town - Elli de Mon

Leave this town - Elli de Mon

While waiting for the main act (i.e. Carmen Consoli) at the festival in Padova last week, I really enjoyed the opening act, this onegirlband from Vicenza, Elli de Mon! She plays a strange mix of blues, rock, folk and something else I can't define, but all in all she reminded me a lot of PJ Harvey and also somehow of KT Tunstall. After listening to her two records on Spotify now, I can tell she reminds me A LOT of PJ Harvey and also a little bit of Patti Smith in a couple songs of her new album. Well, it's been a very pleasant discovery! Since I didn't get the chance to buy her music at the festival, I'm about to buy her first album on iTunes methinks!

Oceani deserti - Carmen Consoli

Oceani deserti - Carmen Consoli

Sorry if I disregarded my blog for a few dozens of hours, but I did forgo most of my daily activities too in these past couple of days! Yesterday has been the usually "checking-out" day, so baggage and stuff in hand as usual (they called me "tortoise" because it's like as if I live carrying around my house!), went to work and then to the main office of my firm to hand over some papers and then ran through to Padova to attend Carmen's concert as part of a festival next to the football stadium of the city! I got there at about 7.30 and the opening act (very enjoyable, maybe you'll see her here soon) didn't start until 9, meaning the real concert kicked-off around 10 and ended around midnight; then just the time to find a couple of Blablacar travel partners and on our way to home (via Milan). All in all, got home at around 3 in the morning (which, I know, I'm also staying up to today too), left my stuff and went to (read and) sleep. And today eating lunch at grandparents' and then moving out to the other grandparents' in the countryside... well, it's been a full couple of days! And now home alone, I have just been watching some telefilms and reading some manga, and then went on to colouring if the rest was not enough, without realizing that I had to take care of my blog and of my Japanese studies too... so here I am! The concert last night has been pretty good, lots of niche songs I wasn't really ready for, but I enjoyed it anyway, Carmen is a great songwriter and performer, very inspiring! She played almost all of my favs out of the latest album, this one being one of them. The song is about a woman complaining because her man is not satisfied with just being with her, he goes on "like a pioneer looking for new frontiers of infidelity", she loves him but realises this is too much for her, she wonders why he doesn't feel the natural pulse of being just with her, what he wants and who he is... and finally says goodbye and goes. Very deep and inspiring lyrics (as usual), with a beautiful touch of irony!

Sintonia imperfetta - Carmen Consoli

Sintonia imperfetta - Carmen Consolicarme

Don't hate me for that, but I would feel bad not sharing a few more songs from Carmen's new album, which I really really like! If everything goes right, I will go see her play live on friday night near Padua while driving back home, I just have to make sure I'll be able to get my hands on a ticket, but I don't think the event is sold out! I'm really thrilled at the idea, as she's one of the few Italian singers I really wish to see live, and this would be a great chance! This song I'm sharing with you, whose title could be translated in English as 'Imperfect harmony', is about a relationship of a married woman with her husband, with her singing how he just lays on the sofa, sleeping in front of football matches and she has to take care of his mother, the dog, cooking and stuff. She recalls how she was charmed by him when they first met, but she's regretting her decision, complaining with her younger self, who should've realized immediately what kind of men she was getting engaged with, the one she know is planning of leaving.

Ottobre - Carmen Consoli

Ottobre - Carmen Consoli

Hey there, guess what?! I'm sick again... This time not even the air of Thailand (ok, I agree, Bangkok's air for sure is not among the best in the world) saved me from my post-plane illness. I hate being sick and I hate that this cure the specialist doctor gave me doesn't seem to be having any tangible effect for now, even if I'm taking in more meds than the average grandpa... Anyway, I have been meaning to post this a few days ago, than got carried over by the events, I will do it now: I apologise again for posting an Italian song, but I am really in love with it and actually I am really in love with Carmen's new album! This song 'Ottobre' (October) is about teenage years and spending time in Carmen's native Sicily in October, the "sweetest month". She sings a few lines that I interpret as describing a lesbian love, as two girls "got back into the scene with red cheeks and a good excuse", but it is just my own interpretation. My idea actually gets stronger with the chorus, when she sings that she would rather have chosen hell rather than the limbo if this was the price of freedom, and that heaven could wait if this was the price of freedom. A very sweet song anyway, hope you can enjoy!
PS: Ok, the Internet just gave me the final confirmation that my hypothesis is right!

La signora del quinto piano - Carmen Consoli

La signora del quinto piano - Carmen Consoli

You know I don't often post Italian (or any non-English, for that matter) music, but sometimes I really feel the need to, especially when I think it's really valuable. Carmen is one of my favourite Italian singer/songwriters and actually one of the few I listen to. She has also toured abroad and is somehow known abroad too, especially in the East Coast. Anyway, she recently released her latest album, her first in 5 years, and even if I didn't have that high an expectation about it, I must confess it really is a great work! In many songs she went back to the sound of her previous works, the lyrics are (as usual) very deep and meaningful, whipping but not too nerdy. This song in particular has struck me, and I just found out today that she is going to re-record it with Elisa, Gianna Nannini and other famous Italian singers in favour of a campaign against violence on women. The song lyrics are very peculiar and deliver an important message in a funny way, as only her can: the lady living on the 5th floor (i.e. la signora del quinto piano) is living with a piton in her home to defend herself from her ex-husband that keeps showing up in front of the building with a hammer. After she went to the police to report the fact, they told her there's no reason to be scared. In the next verse we find out the piton as escaped after eating the Chihuahua dog of the doorwoman and 3 weeks after the escape they find out that the lady has been buried alive in the bathroom wall, but the police-men still repeat that there's no reason to be scared...!

Fever - Elisa

Fever - Elisa

Of course. Of course I've been waiting for months to get away, to go abroad for work for a two-week visit and of course I get sick two days before I should leave. Of course with a relocation to do (first home and then goodness knows where), of course with a 3-hour drive home to undertake, hopefully tomorrow if I'm not feeling too bad. Of course this is probably not the fever Elisa was singing about, but my own fever, caused by whatever illness I got in my lungs since last xmas, is starting to be pretty bothersome!! Of course.

Primavera - Ludovico Einaudi

Primavera - Ludovico Einaudi

Yesterday at work I was feeling some kind of headache, probably because of too little sleep (ok, I know I am like an old man, but sleeping less than 8 hours per night leaves me worn out), so I was looking for some music that could soothe the aching and well, after seeing some Facebook friend posting Einaudi's music the night before, it sounded like a good idea, and it was. Primavera means springtime in Italian, which would also be appropriate for this time of year, in theory. In theory because it's freaking cold and rainy and depressing and everything, and I have a cold that I've been carrying around since xmas and I can't standing freaking more!! Let's hope that the real primavera is gonna come soon!!

Life goes on - Elisa

Life goes on - Elisa

I have come to end of my training here in Marghera, today is the last full day and tomorrow morning there's gonna be the last lesson. I was planning to go back home tonite but a new work-related appointment has emerged for tomorrow at lunch break, so here I am, staying here one more night! One of the friends I made during the training kindly offered to host me for the night, so I'll save myself the fuss or looking for an accommodation last minute. As usual, the more things they tell me, the less I know... I wish people would be a little more interested in my case, but I'll be enjoying the ride (or at least try to) even with all the current uncertainties! What matters the most is that I am a bit sad to put an end to this piece of life (too), I started getting on my daily routine and bonding with the nice people I've been doing the training with, but... life goes on, and maybe we'll have the chance to meet again soon!

A me me piace o blues - Pino Daniele

A me me piace o blues - Pino Daniele

Hello there! It's 4 in the morning and I still haven't posted a thing! Crazy night out? Yeah of course! ... Joking! I went out with a couple of friends to get something (a hot chocolate for me, as I'm taking antibiotics) and I was back by midnight. Then I had a few things to do in my One piece video game and... time flew by and here I am! Now it's time to sleep, as I have to wake up for lunch at grandparents' tomorrow! But not before posting something! After the bad news about Pino a few days ago, I put some of my old time favourites in the current playlist, songs I know by heart but haven't been listening to for years! It's so crazy and sad how you really need somebody to die to be reminded about them...

Amore senza fine - Pino Daniele

Amore senza fine - Pino Daniele

Today I woke up with the very sad news that Pino Daniele has died... he wasn't even 60 years old and he was struck by a heart attack. He was from Naples and was probably the most famous Italian blues singer/songwriter, but most importantly was the singer whose songs I grew up with when I was a little kid, as my parents used to listen to him a lot. It is very sad and despicable that we tend to remember people especially when they die, but that's it, probably realising that you'll never get anything else from that person, no more albums, no more concerts... I'm glad I got the chance to see him once here in my hometown with my parents, it has actually been my first music concert ever! In this period of huge changes, more and more parts of my past are detaching from me, I hope that this is enough for now! This was my favourite song when I was a child, hope you like it!

My name - Ilaria Rastrelli

My name - Ilaria Rastrelli

GRADUATED!!! With the best score! I'm so happy and proud, it's been a great day! So many people I care about and love around me to share this moment with me, so much stress and everything but everything went great and I couldn't be happier! It really is an unforgettable day! But not everything revolves around me...! Last night there has been the final of this year's X Factor and, if the winner was the announced teen idol, I noticed a few very interesting singers I started liking a lot! One of my favourites is Ilaria, a young girl (16 years old!) from Tuscany, and this is her own song. She finished third, so a good result, I hope she will have a long and great career in music!

#sundayrevival Sono il tuo sogno eretico - Caparezza

Sono il tuo sogno eretico - Caparezza

Almost got to 2000 +1s on the blog, this is the 400th post... loads of milestones reached in these days! To celebrate I will do something I don't do often, i.e. post Italian music. I was about to get into the shower a couple days ago and I was picking the music to listen to, when my eyes fell on a playlist I made about the time when I went to Stockholm with my friends in March 2011. Playing the songs in random order, this is the first one that turned out. It's probably my favourite song by Caparezza, an Italian (kind of) rapper. I will start by saying that I don't like rap, it quite bothers me on average, but Caparezza is not the "standard" kind of rapper, his songs have more melodic elements even in the verses and, well... don't give me headaches! His lyrics are just genius, so brilliant, can't help loving them. He's one of the few Italian singers I listen to gladly, have been to one concert of his too and... well he's just great! I hope you can appreciate this song, it's an awesome one out of his 2011 album and it talks about historical figures (such as Joan of Arc & Giordano Bruno) who went on to be burned at the stake by the church in middle ages because of their beliefs and theories. The great thing about it is that he plays on the assonance of heretic and erotic, as the title of the song in English would be something like "I'm your heretic dream". Just great.

Matilde odiava i gatti - Carmen Consoli

Matilde odiava i gatti -
Carmen Consoli

So... here we are! I didn't even advise you about my oncoming trip (for a reason), but the time has come! Notwithstanding all the obstacles and difficulties, we are (almost) ready to leave! I'm going to Sicily with my wife and another friend of hers (that I know too) to visit her relatives there! I mean, put like this sounds like a serious thing, but given our platonic marriage it couldn't be otherwise!! She has not been going down for a few years now and I/we will more than gladly go with her and, hopefully, enjoy a nice holiday between the mountains and the seaside! Given the beautiful days we've been having even here lately, maybe going in September has not been a bad idea at all, with this summer's crazy weather! Anyway, to start getting in the Sicilian mood I'm gonna share with you a great song by my favourite Sicilian songwriters. Lucky you, she sings in English too (you can find the English version of the song on Spotify, link here).

L'alleanza - Carmen Consoli

Again, this is not something I usually do. No, I don't mean the posting in the middle of the night, that

L'alleanza - Carmen Consoli

happens often! I mean posting Italian music. But, you know... even if generally I am not (at all) a fan of Italian music, there are these few artists that I dare say are really worth it. One of them is Carmen: many people don't like her because her songs are oftentimes quite sad, depressing, intense... they picture the bad things of life, all the fake imaginary that we picture in our heads, the things that don't work about society, mental problems, obsessions, life problems... Well ok, I know now you will not have any willingness to listen to her whatsoever, but her vivid picturing of all-things-life are also the reason why her fans love her and can relate so deeply to her songs. And some songs are also connoted with more serene themes such as remembrance and love. Anyway, this is not one of her most famous songs, nor one of my absolute favourites; yet it is one that I really like and stumbling upon it a short time ago made me want to post about it! L'alleanza means The alliance and the song talks about a love/hate relationship and lays down the need for us to survive every relationship, keeping our mental sanity. Nice one, isn't it?

Tutto l'universo obbedisce all'amore - Franco Battiato & Carmen Consoli

Hey everybody! Today I'm posting I song I had already up in my sleeve since... well, last year! I've started listening to Franco Battiato lately (for those who don't know him, he's an Italian singer-songwriter who started his career in the 70s, pretty intellectual but one of the most famous players of the Italian music scene of the last XXth century). Yet I have already been knowing this song since 2008, when it came out. I think I have listened to it on the radio while driving to school, when I still listened to the radio (ah, good old times...!). The presence of one of the other most talented Italian singer-songwriters (dear Carmen) makes it even more precious!