Canto Morricone Songbook

VOLUME 3: THE SEVENTIES

BCD 16246-AH

Songs for All Seasons

Ennio Morricone's distinctive style can be found not only in his famous instrumental film scores, but also in the dozens of songs he created for international recording artists. In fact, it would sometimes appear as though the composer felt freer to experiment with particular orchestral approaches and devices while writing for independent vocalists, and while separated from cinematic constraints. Volume 3 of the Canto Morricone series features highlights from the Maestro's 19'70s work with a broad range of singers, many of whom were then at the top of their careers.

Chi Mai, the second of two major themes from Morricone's exceptional duo-thematic score for the 1971 film MADDALENA, was recorded in French, English and Italian by the film's star, actress Lisa Gastoni. Gastoni's Italian version was omitted from the General Music soundtrack album GM ZSLGE 55063, but released on the single IT Records IT ZT 7013 - which has become a very rare collector's item. The original mastertapes of Gastoni's Italian rendition have been severely damaged, but treated to the best possible reconstruction for this CD. Also, Gastoni's French interpretation of Chi Mai is released here for the very first time, a world premiere! It should be mentioned that Morricone's instrumental of Chi Mai became a chart topper in Italy and England, and it is seen by many as being his romantic "signature" tune.

From the violent Oliver Reed crime thriller REVOLVER, directed by Sergio Sollima in 1973, we present the wonderful song Un Amico. This very pleasant composition performed by Daniel Beretta (who acts in the film) is, without question, the only gentle aspect of the gritty production. In addition to the original version, first released on General Music LP GM ZSLGE 55496, collectors and connoisseurs alike will be pleased to experience a short, yet beautiful, alternative minimalist version of Un Amico, on which Beretta's only accompaniment is a12-string guitar. We are proud to announce that this lovely piece has never before been heard by the public.

The second of only two male singers on this CD, Neapolitan Massimo Ranieri performs the sensitive and restrained Io eTe (text by author Daniele Pace). The work is from a 1971 RCA LP collection of Ranieri songs.

The enchanting Brazilian star, Astrud Gilberto, performed Argomenti (words by Evangelisti) and Una Donna Che Ti Ama (words by Nohra), from the 1971 Henry Verneuil film, GLI SCASSINATORI (THE BURGLARS). These bright, romantic ballads are expressionistically imbued with a sense of sun and surf - love on the Riviera? Both songs were released originally on an Italian vinyl single CTI TC 9702, and again in 1969 by a Japanese label, Seven Seas, catalogue number CTI HIT.

It is fortunate for all lovers of great music that Morricone united with three Royal Queens of European song: Mina, Milva and Mathieu. For our collection we have Mireille Mathieu performing the French versions of the two titles mentioned above from THE BURGLARS. In addition, both Mathieu and Milva have had the very special opportunity to record whole albums of Morricone compositions. Each of these treasured recording milestones brought to life unique vocal versions of some of the Maestro's most beautiful and memorable score themes.

Here on CD for the first time are three highlights from the 1974 Mireille Mathieu album MIREILLE MATHIEU / ENNIO MORRICONE, General Music GM 10 000. The 1974 recording session from which these pieces are taken was a musical event of historical significance. Morricone personally supervised and conducted Mathieu's performances, and even director Sergio Leone was present to experience these exquisite sounds being created. Morricone and Leone, both important men and not easily impressed, were quite smitten by the young vocalist's beauty and talent. We have included from the album the two pieces that many connoisseur's of the composer consider to be of particular merit, J'oublie La Pluie Et Le Soleil and La Donna Madre. Superficially they are unique in that Morricone wrote them for Miss Mathieu - they are not film-songs. Fundamentally they stand apart in that these are, for Morricone, two of a very special sub-group of independent motifs, each of which manifest a curiously intense and life-affirming air of vitality and energy. Two of the most well-known of these uplifting "power-themes" are instrumentals, Belinda May (from L'ALIBI) and L'ultimo (non-film). Mireille Mathieu manages to make Morricone's especially spirited efforts seem even more vivacious.

Nata Libera and Quando Verranno i Giorni (composed by Piero Piccioni with lyrics by Bardotti and Baldazzi) are from the 1972 TV series LA FAMIGLIA NICOTERA. These were originally recorded on the 45 General Music GMS 0013, now a very costly collector's item, and are here given as premiere tracks to the digital format.

Last but not least we are pleased to be able to share with you the Mireille Mathieu covers of Mon Ami DeToujours (lyrics by Bugy) and Pas Vu Pas Pris (lyrics by Vidalin) from THE BURGLARS. They are quite different from the Gilberto versions. Morricone here painted them to be sensual and intimate, probably in deference to Mathieu's more passionate vocal manner.

The album DEDICATO A MILVA DA ENNIO MORRICONE, released in 1972 by Ricordi, LP SMRL 6098, is an unsurpassable combination of the talents of two major musical artists - a once-in-a-lifetime fusion of vocal and instrumental genius. From this historic recording we present half a dozen tracks, including Morricone's resplendent Ridevi, the wonderful theme from LE FOTO PROIBITE DI UNA SIGNORA PERBENE. Milva's interpretation of this masterpiece of popular orchestral music is nothing less than electrifying. Speaking of masterpieces, next is Milva's version of Metti Una Sera a Cena (lyrics by director Giuseppe Patroni Griifi), a delightful composition which supports all the sophistication and richness of Morricone's musical imagination. It has been rerecorded many times by various artists, including the late British film composer Roy Budd. Immagini Del Tempo (theme from L'ALIBI) and Questa Specie D'Amore (film of the same name) are both warm and dreamy poems of complex and undying love. Milva shines on both.

And thus we arrive at the end of this, the third volume of The Ennio Morricone Songbook. Fortunately, there's still more to come!

JOHN BENDER, CLAUDIO FUIANO, STEFAN RAMBOW

Rome/Nuremberg/Pittsburgh, March/May 1998

On to Volume Four