Italian Pop Artists

9-30-09 Italian Pop Artists

Last weekend, I found some Japanese test pressings of Italian late 60’s / early’s pop artists – really odd stuff to find in Los Angeles in 2009:

CELENTANO, ADRIANO – IL RAGAZZO DELLA VIA GLUCK (Vol. 1), SEVEN SEAS JPN LP collection

MORANDI, GIANNI – (Japanese title), VICTOR JPN LP

V.A. – ALL ABOUT GOLDEN CANZIONI Vol. 1, DISCHI JPN LP compilation

V.A. – CANTAGIRO 1968, SEVEN SEAS JPN LP compilation

V.A. – CANZONISSIMA 1969-70, SEVEN SEAS JPN LP compilation

V.A. – SAN REMO – XVII FESTIVAL SAN REMO, FONTANA JPN LP compilation

V.A. – UN DISCO PER L'ESTATE 1971, SEVEN SEAS JPN LP compilation

I did a lot of Italian pop music in the 1970’s. It was an alternative to the progressive rock scene – and I have never minded the Italian language, when sung.

Adriano Celentano is still alive! I understand that he was greatly influenced by Elvis Presley, and he rode the wave of the hula hoop craze – how are those for credentials? I got on to him by finding some collection CD’s in the late 80’s, notably his “Non Mi Dir” CD.

Gianni Morandi seems to me to be yet another Elvis Presley wannabe. This is the 2^nd album I have by him – I must dig out the LP I’ve had for ages – this might just be a Japanese pressing of it!

But these Various Artist albums are the true prize of my find! Looks like I found compilations for every year from 1968 – 1971. And it’s mainly pop music, with more than a nod towards the Eurovision Song Contest and the San Remo Festival.

While much of it sounds sappy, the Italians really know how to rock, too. I got almost an entire 25 track playlist out of these 5 x Various Artist albums!

Iva Zanicchi, The Classics, Giorgio Gaber, Fausto Leali, Roberto Amadoi, Paolo T., Mina, Frank Orlando, I Giganti, Gianni Imberti, Bobby Solo (as mentioned on a Nits record!), Gian Pieretti, Tony Del Monaco, Mario Tessuto, Oscar, Claudio Villa, Caterina Caselli, Massimo Ranieri, I Dik Dik, Nancy Cuomo, The Haneybeats, Sergio Leonardi, Le Gemelle Kessler, Marisa Sannia, Don Backy, Robertino, Domenico Modugno, Betty Curtis, Sergio Endrigo, Carmen Villani, Johnny Dorelli, Peppino Gagliardi, Andy, 4 + 4 di Nora Orlandi, Paolo Mengoli, Paola Francia, New Trolls (I already knew them, from progressive rock days), Lucio Battisti (another one I already knew), Tony Astarita, Tony Cucchiara, Sergio Menegale, I Califfi, I Ragazzi Della Via Gluck (presumably named after the Adriano Celentano song), Riccardo Del Turco, Milva, Orietta Berti, Wilma Goich, Patrizia Bonaveri, Donatello, Joe Sentieri…the list goes ever on…