TRA L'ASSURDO E LA RAGIONE

Biglietto per l'Inferno started their activity in 1972 and, until their split up at the end of 1975, they were a terrific band on stage. Their shows were full of energy and musical talent but they had the chance to record only one album, the excellent eponymous one. A second work was recorded, "Il tempo della semina", but, because of the bankrupt of their label Trident Records, it wasn't released until 1992, thanks to Mellow Records. In 2007 on the initiative of original members Giuseppe "Pilly" Cossa (piano, accordion) and Mauro Gnecchi (drums, percussion) a new project called Biglietto per l'Inferno.folk was formed for some live performances featuring the old repertoire of the band and in 2009 was released a new album on the independent label BTF featuring new arrangements of the historic pieces, "Tra l'assurdo e la ragione" (Between absurd and reason). The present line up features also Enrico Fagnoni (bass), Ranieri "Ragno" Fumagalli (flutes, ocarinas, hornpipes), Carlo Redi (mandolin, violin) Renata Tomasella (flutes, ocarinas) and Franco Giaffreda (electric and acoustic guitar). Original vocalist Claudio Canali retired from mundane life and today he's a monk of the Order of Saint Benedict, so lead vocals are now provided by a female singer, Mariolina Sala. Anyway the old singer gave his blessing to the new project and "Fra'" Claudio appears as a special guest on two tracks of the album. Another original member of the band, Giuseppe "Baffo" Banfi, features as producer and helped the band in studio.

The new project is absolutely good. The new arrangements feature folk influences but respect the spirit of the old compositions. Mazurkas and tarantellas, jigs and reels are in some way blended with hard rock and the result is a well crafted and balanced mix of fresh sounds and vintage suggestions. As in the past, the concerts are still the strength of the band and their performances attract many people, so old and young enthusiastic fans are pushing the band to go on and on since the new project is not a boring unplugged version of the old band but a lively act still able to stir emotions. The title track of the new album, an old piece that was never recorded before, is a funny kind of nursery rhyme full of energy and joyful madness that in some way depict the good vibration of the new line up, especially on stage... "Between absurd and reason there's just a soap-bubble / Your shadow and desire are going to clash..."