Neapolitan trio return with a more refined offering
Canzone napoletana, the world’s best-known Italian popular music, has enthralled Suonno d’Ajere (Yesterday’s Dream) - a young Neapolitan trio employing voice, classical guitar, mandolin, mandola and mandocello - whose instrumentation and neo-retro style evoke early 20th-century posteggia (street, café and restaurant wandering musicians). Yet, the trio master a far more proficient and sophisticated attitude, integrating philology and contemporaneity with folk and classical sensibilities, and conveying an intimate conspiring sound, while proposing a wide-ranging repertoire, including a few overlooked songs.
Their debut recording is an absolute delight from the opening rendition of the serenade ‘Scétate’.
A contrasting mood pervades the ironical ‘O Guappo ‘Nnammurato’ and the passionate ‘A Bonanema ‘e Li’ammore’; on the latter the remarkable singer Irene Scarato embodies the charming bearing of a sciantosa (café-chantant singer).
Elsewhere, ‘Nun è Carmela Mia’ is another superb, emotionally- charged vocal interpretation. ‘Silenzio Cantatore’ offers a minimalistic mood, while Gian Marco Libeccio’s guitar explores melodies and rhythms on the Andalusian-flavoured “E Ppentite’.
Another album highlight, ‘Num me Scetà’, is infused with a fado feel.
Next is mandolinist Marcello Smigliante Gentile’s self-penned ‘Suspiro’, an inspired amalgamation of classicism and contemporary modes.
Finally, on the bonus track “A Rezza’, guest double-bassist Ferruccio Spinetti solidly sustains the interweaving strings and Scarato’s smooth timbre.
A captivating celebration of a living musical treasure, delivered in a refined manner.
Ciro De Rosa (Songlines 5/2022)
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