As I type this I’m listening to Canti Popolari by La Voce del Gran Sasso. No shortage of accordions here plus maybe a tambourine or two. This is definitely folk music from Abruzzo.
From looking at their website it looks like the ages of the musicians and singers range from 7 to 14 years. At least it did when the site was created which I think was in 2008.
I have no idea what they are singing about but I’m really enjoying it. I’d prefer if I was in a village in Abruzzo enjoying a glass of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and listening to them live, but I’ll have to wait a little for that.
This is the third Abruzzo folk or Abruzzo traditional music CD I’ve bought. The first, Chilla Stilluccia Mia – Canti tradizionali in Abruzzo was a complete “blind” buy and I didn’t really like it. The second Vola, Vola, Vola by the Asssociazione Corale Giuseppe Verdi is beautiful, but not truly traditional as it delivers the music in an operatic or choral style.
I think this CD, by La Voce del Gran Sasso, is super. I either got it in Gong or Discover in Pescara. I know it wouldn’t be everyone’s favourite type of music, and if it was vinyl I don’t think I’d wear out the grooves, but I do like it.
From other posts you may realise that I visit Gong or Discover every few months and try to pick up something by a modern Abruzzese artist and something traditional from the region. The CD I’ve looked for, but not found yet is Italian Treasury: Abruzzo compiled by Alan Lomax. It is for sale on Amazon UK for over £90! Way too much for me.
But then I had an epiphany, a musical road to Damascus experience; don’t buy the CDs, try the iTunes store and buy the MP3s! It’s so obvious I’ve no idea why I never thought of it before. It actually opens up a whole new collection of albums and sure enough the Italian Treasury: Abruzzo compiled by Alan Lomax is there for €8.99.
But that’s not all. Do a power search with “abruzzo” in the album title and you get all of these (go on, click on the picture):
Now to change the style a little bit I’d like to recommend a Jazz album by one of Abruzzo’s own, Tony Pancella. I’m pretty sure I got this CD, Different Like Two Drops Of Water by Tony Pancella and Uri Bracha in Gong as I know I got Alter Ego by Larry Willis and Tony Pancella there. I think Tony Pancella might be a favourite of the owner.
I’m more in my element here. Tony Pancella on piano and Uri Bracha on guitar have created an album I really love. This is one whose grooves would be in danger if it was an old LP.
I’d like to provide a link to track samples, a YouTube clip or at the very least a link to where you can buy the record, but I can’t. I’ve searched online, including the iTunes music store, but it isn’t available anywhere! I don’t get it. If I find anything in the future I’ll post it. But for now if you think you’d like a classical/jazz CD that’s really, really mellow, then get over to Gong in Pescara and ask for it.
Update 15/02/2010: See the comment from Tony Pancella indicating how you can get a copy of his album and where he is playing in 2010.
OK, I’m nearly done. There is a band venue in Loreto Aprutino that puts on gigs by a wide range of artists and styles. It’s The Coffee Shop Pub, Contrada Cartiera in Loreto Aprutino. Whenever I’ve been staying in Loreto the bands they had on didn’t suit my taste. I think they were mainly heavy metal or some variant. But I came across a YouTube clip that clearly shows that they’re very happy to put on more jazzy artists.
A band called Fast ‘n’ Bulbous is playing and old Frank Zappa track called Zoot Allures. For the anoraks out there I think the Zoot Allures album was the last one Zappa made with The Mothers back in 1976. I think they must be a Zappa tribute band and I’m all in favour of that. Enjoy!
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Dear Bodach,
First of all thank you very much for your kind words on the duet CD, I’m really glad and honored that you like our music. Furthermore, congratulations on your great website!
Actually this CD is still not available in the regular distribution, or on iTunes, or any other on-line stores…
There’s no record company involved, and this makes things go slower in terms of exposure to the scene: it basically was produced by a dear friend of mine, in Chieti, who loved the CD, believed in the project, and decided to put some money upfront. He took care of the cover art, graphics, packaging etc… He really did a great job!
By the way, Uri and I just did the premiére presentation of the CD at the Tel Aviv Jazz Festival on Feb 5th, with a huge succes.
Now, we’re looking forward to go to the next step in terms of distribution, promotion etc. It’s hard, but we’ll see!
But anyway if there’s anybody who would like to have copies, please feel free to write me through my website http://www.tonypancella.com or reach me on Facebook.
Until we find a regular distribution, of course, but that’s not an easy task considering the whole scenario here in Italy… you know what I mean.
As it happened in the last years, also this year will have a busy travelling schedule for me: just got back from Israel, then will go to England in April, then in Ukraine and the USA in May, then …more flights to come.
Wishing you all the very best, and thanks again so much for your attention.
Sincerely,
Tony Pancella
Wow! When I wrote this post I thought I might persuade a few readers to give Tony Pancella’s music a chance. I never thought I’d get a response from Tony Pancella himself!
Thanks for taking the time to let About Abruzzo readers know how to get hold of your collaboration with Uri Bracha, Different Like Two Drops Of Water. As I said in the post, I really love it and I hope others give it a chance too.
I’ve many readers from UK and USA and I bet on hearing your work they’ll jump at the chance to hear you live in April and May respectively.
I might be able to get over to the England concert myself.
All the best,
Bodach