MUSICHE DA FILM

A collection of Branduardi's 3 soundtrack-albums, 4 tracks from "Secondo Ponzio Pilato" ( 1988, Titletrack, La Canzone de Deserto, Salome & La Strage ) have been sandwiched between 7 Tracks of "State Buoni se Potete" ( 1983 ), and the most ( 9 tracks ) of "Momo" ( 1986 ), which was a success in Germany, at least ( both, the movie and its soundtrack ).

The music on the disc varies between classical themes and folklore, so exactly what you can expect of Branduardi, but most of the stuff is instrumental - and rather slow. If you're looking for more proggy moments than on Angelo's regular output you probably will be disappointed, although the soundtrack-pace has allowed him to experiment a little more, if you're looking for ear-wigs like "Cogli la prima mela" you might be disappointed even more - although "Vanita di Vanita" has become an enduring classic and, together with the marvellous instrumental "Tema di Leonetta", the dreamy "La Canzone di Momo" and the medieval instrumental "Tema dell Villagio", it's worth the price of admission alone.

With several listens you may find that "La Canzone de Deserto" is another highlight, with its inspiration audibly coming from the Irish traditional "She moved through the fair", but Branduardi is taking it elsewhere and inventing the guitar-riff to "Amazzonia" ( a track that later appeared on "Il Ladro" ). This is a very sensitive song solely performed by Branduardi alone - and it's a grower. "Momo e Cassiopea" delivers the most beautiful arrangement to the re-occurring instrumental theme of "La Grande Giostra", as several melodies get varied on the different soundtracks, but, all in all, listening to the disc as a whole, it's somehow featuring too much of samey stuff and I start wishing for more "normal songs" that feature the voice of the artist, maybe an inclusion of the vocal-version of "Tema di Leonetta" ( that got released later on a "Lovesongs"-sampler ) would have helped... it's a bit tedious all in all, in spite of the good performances.

A personal 3.5 stars, with good will, makes 3 stars for PA cause this album is essential only for fans - but if the Original Soundtracks don't get a proper re-release then it should be this one for the collectors, at least.