monoceros blogs
Sicilian elements, political lyrics, smoky Italian vocals - these are things that Carmen Consoli offers in her latest album. I'm plesantly surprised that an Italian singer is getting publicity in the US, where few foriegn-language singers receive such entry into the market, unless it's opera or classical crossover work by Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban and the like. The most successful Italian songstress I can think of is Laura Pausini, but even then, many of her songs are sung in English (several in Spanish).
Carmen Consoli's music has been mainly rock but this recent album is very acoustic, understated, even traditional in the instruments used. It reminds me of a rather famous song of hers, "L'ultimo Bacio" - the last kiss (in the video, look for the lovely Italian actress, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, who plays the protagonist's girlfriend; the long-haired brunette). It was the theme song of the Italian film of the same name, which has been made into the Zach Braff-starring American version, The Last Kiss (opening in Singapore on November 30).
"Eva Contro Eva" is fully Italian, though the track list has been translated for non-Italian speakers/readers. The titles are small beauties indeed -
1. Tutto Su Eva (Eve Against Eve)
2. Maria Catena (Mary Chain)
3. Dolce Attesa (The Sweet Awaiting)
4. Sulle Rive di Morfeo (On Morpheus' Shores)
5. Pendio Dell'abbandono (The Slope of Abandonment)
6. Preghiera in Gola (A Prayer in the Throat)
7. Piccolo Cesare (Little Caesar)
8. Madre Terra (Mother Earth)
9. Signor Tentenna (Mr See-Saw)
10. Sorriso di Atlantide (Atlantis's Smile)