ITRI

In between CORDE OBLIQUE's "Per la Strade Ripetute" and "I maestri del colore", the Riccardo Principe-led "ethereal folk" group made 3 new tracks available for download which effectively mark the subtle but significant transition.

The title track is the most vivacious, with Annalisa Madonna's voice fronting a compelling blend of acoustic guitar with violins and imaginative percussion by Alessio Sica. The arrangements become more wistful in the instrumental parts but are energized anew when Annalisa reappears. It is fully aligned with the newer direction of the group, while not likely to alienate long time fans.

"Momenti senza nome" is a throwback to the earlier and more dramatic period, and the one I prefer, with its haunting and suspenseful melody sung by Francesca Cacciatore, with succinct violin and voice in duet, the wistful strings later carrying the day. It could have easily appeared on "Volonta D'Arte", their 2007 near masterpiece.

The third track is just Principe on classical guitar, well played but focused on the technical sound more than the heartstrings. The transition, at least to this point, was completed on the ambitious but dry "I maestri del colore" the next year.

Due to its temporal and evolutionary position, "Itri" is recommended to fans of any of CORDE OBLIQUE's work, or to newbies wanting to cut their teeth on unplugged neo folk Italian style without sacrificing a lot of cash or time.