Grazie.

---

... e in Italia com'era la situazione tra i '60 e i '70? Non certo delle migliori: molte canzonette che duravano quanto un disco in un mangiadischi, Canzonissime, Sanremi e quant'altro. Certo, molti cantanti hanno successo ancora oggi, vedi Morandi, Dalla e Celentano, i primi nomi che mi vengono in mente, ma la maggior parte dei gruppi del periodo campava di luce non esattamente propria, dato che i loro maggiori successi erano semplici riproposizioni (non si usava ancora il termine "cover") di brani esteri, tradotti più o meno fedelmente all'originale. All'inizio degli anni '70 qualcosa finalmente si mosse, i cantautori iniziarono a farsi avanti e i gruppi iniziavano a rifarsi alle sonorità di Oltremanica o di Oltreoceano, influenzati soprattutto dalla corrente del Progressive Rock. Senza dubbio, il gruppo di maggior successo è stato la PFM (Premiata Forneria Marconi), che nel 1972 produssero uno splendido album d'esordio (uno dei miei primi acquisti) "Storia di un minuto", una sorta di "concept album" su pensieri e immagini che possono passare nella mente in un tempo relativamente breve, delle "impressioni", insomma. E' appunto "Impressioni di Settembre" il brano più noto di quell'album, nel quale si sentono le influenze dei King Crimson e soprattutto dei Moody Blues, ma il tutto è assemblato alla perfezione con la melodia italiana. Il risultato è una musica senza tempo, a dispetto dei suoi 35 anni. La versione di questo video è quella contenuta nell'album.

Impressioni Di Settembre - Premiata Forneria Marconi



Quante gocce di rugiada intorno a me,
cerco il sole ma non c'è…
Dorme ancora la campagna, forse no,
è sveglia, mi guarda, non so.
Già l'odore della terra odor di grano,
sale adagio verso me.
e la vita nel mio petto batte piano,
respira la nebbia, penso a te.
Quanto verde tutto intorno a ancor piú in là,
sembra quasi un mera l'erba,
e leggero il mio pensiero vola e va
ho quasi paura che si perda…
Un cavallo tende il collo verso il prato
resta fermo como me:
faccio un passo, lui mi vede, è già
fuggito…
Respiro la nebbia, penso a te.
No, cosa sono adesso non lo so
sono un uomo, un uomo in cerca di se stesso
no, cosa sono adesso non lo so
sono solo, solo il suono del mio passo…
Ma intanto il sole tra la nebbia filtra già:
il giorno come sempre sarà.

Rain And Tears - Aphrodite's Child



Rain and tears, are the same
but in the sun
you've got to play the game

When you cry
in winter time
you can pretend
it's nothing but the rain

How many times I've seen
tears coming from your blue eyes

Rain and tears, are the same
but in the sun
you've got to play the game

Give me an answer of love
(o----ooohhh)
I need an answer of love
(o----ooohhh)
Rain and tears, in the sun
But in your heart
you feel the rainbow waves

Rain and tears
both I shun
for in my heart there 'll never be a sun

Rain and tears, are the same
but in the sun
you've got to play the game
Game ....

Un altro gruppo molto interessante della fine degli anni '60, sono stati senza dubbio i Procol Harum. A differenza della maggioranza dei gruppi di allora, che erano formati da chitarra, basso, batteria e tastiera, loro si proposero come quintetto formato da chitarra, basso, batteria, piano e organo, due tastieristi, insomma. In questo modo riuscirono a conciliare le melodie del pianoforte di ispirazione classica con i suoni pop marcati dall'inconfondibile timbrica dell'organo Hammond. Si fecero conoscere in tutto il mondo nel 1967 con la celeberrima "A whiter shade of pale", seguita l'anno successivo da "Homburg", altro successo planetario. In Italia questi due brani vennero subito riproposti rispettivamente dai Dik Dik e dai Camaleonti come "Senza luce" e "L'ora dell'amore", continuando il malcostume della traduzione (talvolta il testo non c'entrava nulla con l'originale) a tutti i costi. Gli stessi Procol Harum incisero in italiano la loro "Shine on brightly" come "Il tuo diamante" (testo di Mogol). La cosa buffa di questo 45 giri era il retro, uno splendido brano strumentale dal titolo "Repent walpurgis": i discografici italiani si superarono trasformando il titolo in "Fortuna". Il brano che posto è forse il loro capolavoro, inciso nel 1969. A massacrare questo brano in Italia ci ha pensato recentemente Zucchero nel suo ultimo album, proponendo l'improbabile "Nel così blu". L'unica cosa consolante è che Keith Reid e Gary Brooker, gli autori della stragrande maggioranza dei brani dei Procol Harum, avranno intascato non poco in diritti d'autore.

A Salty Dog - Procol Harum



"All hands on deck! We've run afloat!"
I heard the captain cry
"Explore the ship! Replace the cook!
Let no one leave alive!"
Across the straits, around the horn
How far can sailors fly?
A twisted path, our tortured course
And no one left alive

We sailed for parts unknown to man
Where ships come home to die
No lofty peak, nor fortress bold
Could match our captain's eye
Upon the seventh sea-sick day
We made our port of call
A sand so white, and sea so blue
No mortal place at all

We fired the guns and burned the mast
And rowed from ship to shore
The captain cried, we sailors wept
Our tears were tears of joy
Now many moons and many Junes
Have passed since we made land
Salty Dog, the seaman's log
Your witness in my own hand

Il 7 dicembre 1967 Otis Redding, una delle più grandi voci del rhythm and blues, incise un brano che si discostava non poco dalla sua produzione abituale, un brano riflessivo, melodico senza essere sdolcinato, che iniziava e terminava con il rumore del mare. La parte finale è fischiettata, un suono che sfuma, come di un uomo che si allontana. Questi due particolari si rivelarono quasi come un sinistro presagio: tre giorni dopo Otis Redding e il suo gruppo morirono nell'aereo precipitato in un lago.

(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding



Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come
Watching the ships roll in
And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah

I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the 'Frisco bay
'Cause I've had nothing to live for
And look like nothin's gonna come my way

So I'm just gonna sit on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

Look like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same, yes

Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
It's two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home

Now, I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Oooo-wee, sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

Sono tornato dal suo concerto tenuto a Milano al Teatro Smeraldo; per me è stata la decima volta dal 1980, per il mio piccolo (10 anni), il suo primo concerto in assoluto.
La formazione era essenziale: J.J. pianoforte e voce, Graham Maby basso (per me, uno dei migliori dagli anni '80), Dave Houghton batteria; hanno presentato l'ultimo album "Rain", decisamente un gran bel disco, oltre ai brani storici da "Night and Day", "Look Sharp" e "I'm the man".
Questo è il video contenuto nel DVD allegato all'album, è la versione dal vivo del primo brano.

Invisible Man - Joe Jackson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrazznRgrOo

Hey - can you hear me now
As I fade away
And lose my ground
Maybe you'd like to know
What I'd have to say
If I was still around
Now I'm made of smoke
You see through me
It's the strangest joke
Can't touch the Invisible Man
Can't stop the Invisible Man
Why did the lights go down
Or onto someone new
Well let them learn
I used to own this town
Now I'm watching you
Now it's my turn
Now I'm made of mist
Will you know
When you've been kissed
Can't touch the Invisible Man
Can't stop the Invisible Man
Now I'm almost free
Disappearing
Don't cry for me
Can't touch the Invisible Man
Can't stop the Invisible Man

Si avvicina la Pasqua, è l'occasione per ricordare un grande musical dal quale nel 1973 fu tratto un grande film: Jesus Christ Superstar. Non posterò le classiche ballate di Yvonne Elliman / Maria Maddalena "Everything's alright" o "I don't know how to love him", certamente belle e arcinote (anche un po' ruffiane, a dire il vero), ma quello che secondo me è uno dei brani più toccanti dell'intera opera, una bellissima prova da parte di Ted Neeley.

Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)



Jesus:
Will no one stay awake with me?
Peter?
John?
James?
Will none of you wait with me?
Peter?
John?
James?

I only want to say
If there is a way
Take this cup away from me
For I don't want to taste its poison
Feel it burn me,
I have changed I'm not as sure
As when we started
Then I was inspired
Now I'm sad and tired
Listen surely I've exceeded
Expectations
Tried for three years
Seems like thirty
Could you ask as much
From any other man?

But if I die
See the saga through
And do the things you ask of me
Let them hate me, hit me, hurt me
Nail me to their tree
I'd want to know
I'd want to know my God
I'd want to know
I'd want to know my God
I'd want to see
I'd want to see my God
I'd want to see
I'd want to see my God
Why I should die
Would I be more noticed
Than I ever was before?
Would the things I've said and done
Matter any more?
I'd have to know
I'd have to know my Lord
I'd have to know
I'd have to know my Lord
I'd have to see
I'd have to see my Lord
I'd have to see
I'd have to see my Lord

If I die what will be my reward?
If I die what will be my reward?
I'd have to know
I'd have to know my Lord
I'd have to know
I'd have to know my Lord

Why, why should I die?
Oh, why should I die?
Can you show me now
That I would not be killed in vain?
Show me just a little
Of your omnipresent brain
Show me there's a reason
For your wanting me to die
You're far too keen on where and how
But not so hot on why
Alright I'll die!
Just watch me die!
See how, see how I die!
Oh, just watch me die!

Then I was inspired
Now I'm sad and tired
After all I've tried for three years
Seems like ninety
Why then am I scared
To finish what I started
What you started
I didn't start it
God thy will is hard
But you hold every card
I will drink your cup of poison
Nail me to your cross and break me
Bleed me, beat me
Kill me, take me now
Before I change my mind.

A voi Lady Soul, una delle più grandi voci di sempre.

(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin



Looking out on the morning rain
I used to feel uninspired
And when I knew I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired
Before the day I met you, life was so unkind
But your love was the key to peace my mind

Cause you make me feel, you make me feel, you make me feel like
A natural woman

When my soul was in the lost-and-found
You came along to claim it
I didn't know just what was wrong with me
Till your kiss helped me name it
Now I'm no longer doubtful of what I'm living for
Cause if I make you happy I don't need no more

Cause you make me feel, you make me feel, you make me feel like
A natural woman

Oh, baby, what you've done to me
You make me feel so good inside
And I just want to be close to you
You make me fell so alive
Cause you make me feel, you make me feel, you make me feel like
A natural woman

Per me è uno dei brani più belli dei Police, dal loro ultimo album, "Synchronicity" del 1983.

Wrapped Around Your Finger - The Police



You consider me the young apprentice
Caught between the scylla and charibdes
Hypnotized by you if I should linger
Staring at the ring around your finger

I have only come here seeking knowledge
Things they wouldn't teach me of in college
I can see the destiny you sold
Turned into a shining band of gold

I'll be wrapped around your finger
I'll be wrapped around your finger

Mephistopheles is not your name
But I know what you're up to just the same
I will listen hard to your tuition
And you will see it come to its fruition

I'll be wrapped around your finger
I'll be wrapped around your finger

Devil and the deep blue sea behind me
Vanish in the air you'll never find me
I will turn your face to alabaster
Then you will find your servant is your master

And you'll be wrapped around my finger
You'll be wrapped around your finger
You'll be wrapped around your finger

Mi piace un sacco questa canzone; questa bravissima cantante italo-australiana compirà 17 anni in Ottobre!

Sweet About Me - Gabriella Cilmi



Ooh, watching me
Hanging by
A string this time
Don't, easily
The climax
Of the perfect lie
Ooh, watching me
Hanging by
A string this time
Don't, easily
Smile worth
A hundred lies

If there's lessons
To be learned
I'd rather get
My jamming words
In first, so
Tell you something
That I've found
That the world's
A better place
When it's
Upside down, boy

If there's lessons
To be learned
I'd rather get
My jamming words
In first, so
When your playing
With desire
Don't come running
To my place
When it burns
Like fire, boy

Chorus (4x):
Sweet about me
Nothing sweet
About me, yeah

Blue, blue, blue
Waves, they crash
As time goes by
So hard to catch
Too, too smooth
Ain't all that
Why don't you ride
On my side
Of the tracks

If there's lessons
To be learned
I'd rather get
My jamming words
In first, so
Tell you something
That I've found
That the world's
A better place
When it's
Upside down, boy

If there's lessons
To be learned
I'd rather get
My jamming words
In first, so
When your playing
With desire
Don't come running
To my place
When it burns
Like fire, boy

(Chorus 6x)

Il brano più famoso di Alice Cooper, del 1972.

School's Out - Alice Cooper



Well, we got no choice
All the girls and boys
Makin' all that noise
'Cause they found new toys
Well, we can't salute ya
Can't find a flag
If that don't suit ya
That's a drag

School's out for summer
School's out forever
School's been blown to pieces

No more pencils
No more books
No more teacher's dirty looks

Well, we got no class
And we got no principles
And we got no innocence
We can't even think of a word that rhymes

School's out for summer
School's out forever
School's been blown to pieces

No more pencils
No more books
No more teacher's dirty looks
Out for summer
Out 'til fall
We might not go back at all

School's out forever
School's out for summer
School's out with fever
School's out completely

Un loro successo del 1985.

Close To Me - The Cure



I've waited hours for this
I've made myself so sick
I wish I'd stayed asleep today
I never thought that this day would end
I never thought that tonight could ever be
This close to me

Just try to see in the dark
Just try to make it work
To feel the fear before you're here
I make the shapes come much too close
I pull my eyes out
Hold my breath
And wait until I shake

But if I had your faith
Then I could make it safe and clean
If only I was sure
That my head on the door was a dream

I've waited hours for this
I've made myself so sick
I wish I'd stayed asleep today
I never thought that this day would end
I never thought that tonight could ever be
This close to me

But if I had your face
I could make it safe and clean
If only I was sure
That my head on the door
Was a dream

Oggi è morto Richard Wright, tastierista dei Pink Floyd. Questo era uno dei suoi brani più belli.

Summer 68 - Pink Floyd



Would you like to something before you leave?
Perhaps you'd care to state exactly how you feel.
We say goodbye before we've said hello.
I hardly even like you.
I shouldn't care at all.
We met just six hours ago.
The music was too loud.
From your bed I came today and lost a bloody year.
And I would like to know, how do you feel?
How do you feel?
Not a single word was said.
They lied still without fears.
Occasionally you showed a smile, but what was the need?
I felt the cold far too soon in a wind of ninetyfive.
My friends are lying in the sun, I wish I was there.
Tomorrow brings another town, another girl like you.
Have you time before you leave to greet another man
Just to let me know, how do you feel?
How do you feel?
Goodbye to you.
Childish bangles too.
I've had enough for one day.