MANIFESTAZIONI LIVE 2011-2023

If we talk about prolific minds from the prog realm in this Millenium, we have tu put the name of Claudio Milano in front, and not only for being prolific, but for being such a talented and unique artist.

I've known his work for around 10 years and every single time I listen to something new of his, I am stunned, surprised, enchanted, because he is one of those musicians who don't focus only on the music, but he cares about performance, theatre, literature, cinema, and of course his voice, which is so histrionic. This time he kindly introduced me to this new release which reunites different live performances which were recorded mainly in Italy and France. The name of the release is Manifestazioni Live 2011-2023, consists of two CDs of over two hours of great avant-prog music.

There is a vast amount of musicians involved in this release, even projects, so the journey will take you through a richness of sounds and manifestations, a roller-coaster of musical genres, emotions, and art. The album opens with an amazing jam by the Area Open Project, which features three former Area members and Claudio Milano, so as you can imagine there is an obvious experimentation here that takes us to a mixture of atmospheres, with some looney sounds, inherent avant-garde, and some fusion essences. The musicians play a great role, all creating amazing rhythms and tunes, as well as the magnificent vocal work.

I Sincopatici is another project of his creativity, and here we can enjoy it from track 2 to 5 of the first album, short songs that share different emotions, because first you can feel some tension but in the next track you hear delicacy and sorrow made by piano and voice. The theatrical element is essential here, so the performance sounds outstanding, touchy and maybe disturbing at the same time, reminding me of Devil Doll in some moments. I assume being in a live concert of any of Milano's project would be quite an experience.

NichelOdeon was the project that introduced me to Milano's work, so it was obvious that some of its tracks would be featured in this live record. From that endearing 2010 release, Il Gioco dei Silenzio, he shares 'Amanti in guerra' which has a beautiful but sinister sound made by a harp and his voice. 'Secca in festa' keeps the harp, but the sound here is more pastoral, folk, delicate, so one can even close the eyes and take a deep breath.

I like that the album is never lineal, it is always challenging, daring our comfort zone as listeners and music (and art) lovers, and though I know the order of the chosen tracks was carefully chosen, I really love how we find those different projects in an intercalate way, and also how the songs jump in time, so you will be listening to an 2012 performance and later to an 2022 concert, but you will never lose interest of the magic and mystical music you are listening. A clear example is the dark and profound 'Gallia #4' from InSonar project, which is quite a trip through senses and atmospheres.

Strepitz is a project I don't really know, nor have so much info about, but that's also nice because I am sure of one thing: I will be surprised. It features two tracks here, and I was particularly mesmerized by 'Cerniere' because in seven minutes it shows an interesting diversity of sounds, starting softly, then adding some kid's voice and later morphing into a folk-ish / gypsy tune, just to later finish with a vocal experimental sound. so despite being played only in Europe, this music actually takes us to the whole world. And that is confirmed with 'Aghe Aghe Benedete' who is sung in a language I in fact, don't know. This is an ambitious 12-minute track which has the rock element more than the previous ones, despite it starts completely in the avant-garde vein, it morphs when drums enter and we can also tell it by those great guitar solos, it has also a psychedelic sound, reminding me in fact of 'Careful with that Axe, Eugene'.

CD one finishes in a delicate way with 'Nostro padre ci Aspetta', a dedication to Claudio Rocchi from legendary RIO band, Stormy Six.

Now we head to CD two, which is the longest one. It opens with 'Madre Pagana' from Not Me project, which is basically a vocal-only performance, however it is quite colorful, because Milano's voice is quite powerful. Strepitz project returns with the next three tracks (and will comeback later as well). I think these tracks perfectly define what avant- prog is, because of its richness of sounds made by the instruments, the changes in mood and tempo, and of course that theatrical vocal performance that make this music so distinctive. Not a song is like another, not even a minute is the same, it is constantly changing which is why I praise him so much, because it is not easy to find this kind of creativity which always has something new to offer, to surprise.

'Surabaya Johnny' is the latest NichelOdeon track here, and yeah, you might know the title because of that Bette Midler song, and yeah, this composition was originally written by Kurt Weill and Bertold Brecht, and here it is nicely performed by Milano and co. The next two short tracks are from I Sincopatici and both have that sound that blends beauty with mystery, piano taking the lead and creating the textures, while a dark atmosphere is produced.

And now the 20-minute monster entitled 'Da la leggenda di Zlatarog: Identitá/Claps' which might not be an easy listen. The first part comes mainly with Milano's voice and percussion, in a kind of improvisation (though I am sure it wasn't), creating a somber sound that reminded me a bit of Area 70' live album. After minute 11 the song changes and the rhythm and mood become friendlier with the sound produced by acoustic guitar, a bit folkish, taking us to a trip to the 70s.

The last two tracks are basically vocal performances that show the range of Milano's voice and how he is capable of delivering a diversity of notes and tones, which at the same time become emotions. Of course, it is evident that one of Claudio's idols must be the one and only, the legend itself, Demetrio Stratos. But wait, if you live this experience via Bandcamp then you will be delighted by an extra 13-minute track entitled 'Tributo a Claudio Rocchi' which is an adventurous journey through avant music, where strings enlighten the sound creating different nuances and textures. Both, the instrumental and the ones with vocals are great. It is great to hear people applauses during the whole album, as well.

And yes, this 12-year journey of live shows finish here, and I would like to thank Claudio and all the people involved, because we, who are far from European lands, can have a taste of those live experiences which are quite immersive, theatrical, unique. The album is wonderful, however I think it is a bit long and knowing Milano's music might not be the easiest to dig, one have to be with the needed time and mood to run it without pauses.

Of course, I recommend it to you! Enjoy it!

Share this CLAUDIO MILANO review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to memowakeman
• Report this review (#2968000)
• Buy CLAUDIO MILANO music online with PA partners
• Show all CLAUDIO MILANO MP3/Stream
• Go to CLAUDIO MILANO page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to ManifestAzioni Live 2011-2023 page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for CLAUDIO MILANO related discussions