L'INFINITAMENTE PICCOLO

After a long period in which the only real good things released by Branduardi were his excursions in the Medieval and Renaissance music with the forst two "Futuro Antico" collections and some short soundtracks, he is finally able to create a studio masterpiece.

It's the first real concept album of his career, as "Yeats" had a central concept but was just a collection of poetry in form of songs. In this case there are three remarkable things: first it's the story of St.Francis, so it's a real concept album and having Francis lived in 13th Century it's medieval enough for Angelo's music. Who doesn't know Angelo Branduardi can think to Blackmore's Night or Pentangle to have an idea.

The second remarkable thing is that he has finally abandoned the attempts to sound "modern" adding more than a touch of country-blues to his arrangements, or better, letting other doing it.

Third, there are a number of very important guests: some classical ensembles (futuro antico teaches), Franco Battiato guests and Luisa Zappa is back as lyricist.

The album follows the life of Francis based on original sources, even if it's opened by the "Cantico delle Creature" that's the most important and famous poetry written by Francis as a hymn to all the living beings, with a vision of life that's unexpectedly close to the Hindu or the Buddhist. Musically it's quite "British" for the use of celtic harp. The lyrics are an excerpt of the whole poem so it's in medieval Italian.

"Il Sultano di Babilonia e la Prostituta" (The Sultan of Babylon and the Whore) has a mediterranean mood given by the accordion and the percussions and it's about one of the first legends about Francis. He is captured by the Saracens while he's going to Babylon with the purpose of converting people to Christ. The legend (and the song) tell of how Francis is able to convert the Sultan who releases him and later a whore met down the road to Babylon. Battiato sings here.

"Il Lupo di Gubbio" (Gubbio's Wolf) is the most famous episode of his legendary life. He's said to be able to speak to every being. In Gubbio (a town in Central Italy) a wolf is killing men and animals, so he goes in search of the wolf finds the wolf and speaks to it. He reaches an agreement: the people of Gubbio will bring food to the wolf and he will stop killing. Musically it's a homecoming to the first albums with some similarities to "Il Funerale".

"Audite Poverelle" (Listen poor girls) is another poetry or predication. Another typical Branduardi's song of the 70s, in the sense that he is now back to his roots and has restarted doing what he does better. If you have liked his first albums, this is even better.

The eleventh "canto" of Dante's Paradise is about Francis how he was seen by his contemporary Dante. Unfortunately some slide guitar and finger picking reappear, but the song is too good to be jeopardized by the western arrangement. This would have deserved to be included in the Colossus Project. The lyrics are taken from Dante.

"Il Trattato dei Miracoli" (the Miracles Treat) Is a list of the miracles attributed to Francis. Miracles are listed to declare a "Saint". It's a Catholic rule". Musically is repetitive and even with its medieval flavor in some parts it gives me a sense of Krautrock, but this can be just my impression.

"Nelle Paludi di Venezia Francesco si fermo' per pregare e tutto tacque" (In Venice's Moulds Francis stopped to Pray and everything shut up) is opened by a harp in Vollenweider's style. The vocalist of Madredeus sings the female part. Her voice is similar to the Greenwall's singer (listen to Dante's Inferno). An interesting melodic track.

"La Regola" (The Rule) starts with a monk's choir, but there's also a gong that makes it sound oriental. Then deadly bells, percussions and a very bass organ note. The proggiest track of the album.

"La predica della Perfetta Letizia" (The prayer of the perfect Joy) is another song that vcan't be placed in a specific place or epoch as it has many of the composing elements used by Angelo. You can hear celtic, arabic or even Indian elements in the arrangement.

"La Morte di Francesco" (Francis' death) is a "Miserere", a religious hymn sung by a choir before a funeral. Of course the music is dark and musically inspired more to the Greek Hortodoxes than to the Catholics. Another very interesting (and prog) song.

Finally "Salmo" (Psalm) is a song composed (and directed) by Ennio Morricone, another "big" guest. Angelo's clean voice sings over an excellent orchestral arrangement but the theme is a bit too melodic for my tastes.

An excellent releaseof Branduardi at the level of his best works from the 70s with the addition of more maturity and a strong concept behind. The first and currently only 5 stars rating that I have given to him.