OLTRE IL SIPARIO

An Italian Ethnic/Prog group from Carrara, the driving forces of which were guitarist Antonio Pincione and wind instrumentalists Davide Lazzaroni and Jacopo Bisagni.First line-up comprised also of female singer Enrica Mariani, guitarist Fabio Ghelli and violinist Martino Salvetti.Laura Mannucci replaced Mariani for a short time in 1999, but in 2000 their long-time lead singer Micaela Guerra along with bassist Gabriele D'Ascoli and drummer Rodolfo Giardina enter the picture.In 2002 the band releases a rare debut, ''Brevistele'', and the same year they abandon any thoughts on recruiting a drummer, after Giardina left the band (along with Salvetti).In 2006 comes a huge expansion, adding Chiara Vatteroni on harp, Sara Montefiori on violin, Andrea Cecchinelli on viola and Alessandro Maccione on violoncello.In 2008 Bededeum released their sophomore effort ''Oltre il sipario'' on the Locanda Del Vento label.

The use of flutes and strings does not leave much to imagination regarding the band's original musical direction, but it appears that with the addition of a huge string section in mid-00's Bededeum had sunk into the world of Ethnic Music for good.''Oltre il sipario'' has nothing to do with Rock music, it's actually a trippy Folk/Prog Folk album, based on the use of archaic traditional instruments and a mood for experimentation into the world of Mediterrenean and Celtic music with the flutes, piano, acoustic guitars and Uillean pipes leading the way.Not to mention the fantastic fairytale vocals of Micaela Guerra and the display of male/female dual vocal arrangements.Ethereal acoustic orchestrations with soft interplays between the instruments, poetic and minimalistic ethnic soundscapes and relaxing folky melodies are the main characteristics of the album with the Italian language and its unique-sounding harmony adding a beautiful dimension to the nostalgic musicianship.Along with the evident Italian and Celtic influences the album contains also hints of the Medieval period as well as British and French Folk with some troubadour-like male voices.The tracks with the heavy use of string instruments are also the most melancholic ones, a nice exhibition of lyrical emotions, acoustic charm and traditional tunes.

The band apparently dissapeared from the map and I have only detected the traces of a couple of members, which are still involved in Ethnic Music.Anyway, Bededeum left behind a warm, mellow and well-crafted document of Ethnic Music with all these multi-European influences and the album is definitely a nice addition for anyone searching for acoustic and imaginative soundscapes.