Il Giardino di Sofia – Roberto Carlotti Popular – National: these are terms used repaetedly when one wisjes to talk bout the more banal aspects of Italian culture. Instead, Roberto Carlotti, uses this title “Nazional Popolare” , which is the opening track on the CD to redefine and revalue common Italian sentiments, those of the countryside and those thoughts porvoked by the picture on the cover of an old wooden bench and an accordion. The “Nazional Popolare” of Roberto Carlotti shows something beautiful, Italian , historical. For sure, only reading the titles, one can think that one has heard it all before or worse that it is rather ethnic ... mazurka…waltz….polka…a touch of Irish and a nod at the Balkans. In truth Carlotti brings a freshness and sense of joy with “Il Giardino di Sofia”. I borrow a phrase from the cover notes written by Antonello Paliotti : “ It is not a typical boring ethnic product of todays music industry”. I couldn’t have said it better myself. The tracks on the Cd feature many able and diverse musicians called upon as needed by the particular track and all of whom feature as prominently as the author. In fact it is a credit to the author that he values this input and does not see the need for useless virtuoisms. All the tracks have been written by Carlotti and the accompanying booklet is very informative. In a word – priceless. Reviewed by Renato Belardinelli, October 2008 |
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