IL LADRO

"Il Ladro" (The Thief) seems written, arranged and played by Ry Cooder. It's a country-blues very slow and dark on which his voice sounds inadequate and innatural.

Then we have "Madame", a tango featuring a concertina in a perfect Astor Piazzolla style. Not bad.

"Bella Faccia" (Nice Face) is closer to his usual things, but has a very pop-folk feeling, including the trumpet solo.

"Uomini di Passaggio" (Passing by Men) is another song between south and north America. Concertina from Argentina and bass and chorus from Mexico. Piazzolla meets "Cielito Lindo".

"Ballerina" (Dancer) is finally a true Branduardi's song, at least he sings on his usual chords while the guitar is still bluesy. It's significant that his old time guitarist Maurizio Fabrizio is no longer working with him. The PFM Franco Mussida is the guy at the guitars, but they don't match a lot, IMO.

"Amazzonia" (Amazonas) starts with some guitar chords similar to David Gilmour's Mihalis, then the guitar is replaced by percussions and voice, then the guitar again...This song is not bad, dreamy and light.

"Il Bambino Dei Topi" (Child of the Rats) starts musically as a follow-up to the previous song but the chords are more usual. What concerns me is that the arrangements are POP even when the songs aren't. It's like Angelo was tired of making arrangements and has left this work to his label.

"Il Tempo Di Partire" (Time To Leave) brings us back to Arizona and the Death Valley. What has Branduardi to do with this environment? Why does Mussida play like Bonnie Raitt?

"Il Grido" (The Scream) turns south again. Argentina guys..

Finally a classical Branduardi song: "Ai Confini dell'Asia" (To the borders of Asia) is an excellent song, dreamy and ethereal. Let your mind fly over the himalayan heights. Well, the drums play Pat Metheny's Last Train Home but the song is really good.

"Festa" (Celebration) was similar to the previous song in Angelo's original intentions, but falls into the Italian pop of its period. A bit boring, too.

A couple of good moments aren't enough for the 3rd star, even if this album is far better than its predecessor. Surely not the best album to start with Branduardi even though the "Asian borders" would deserve to be included in a compilation.