Artisti Vari – Canzoni di fuga e di speranza. Yo Yo Mundi (Nota, 2025)
by Marco Sonaglia – Blogfoolk.com
It was 1994 when a band from Acqui Terme released their first album, with a rather strong title: “La diserzione degli animali da circo” (The desertion of circus animals). We are, of course, talking about Yo Yo Mundi who, to celebrate over thirty years of career, are being honoured by important names in the Italian music scene. The artistic direction of the project is by Eugenio Merico, with Gianluca Spirito, Maurizio Camardi and the technical collaboration of Dario Mecca Aleina. The double album, with artwork by Ivano Anaclerio Antonazzo, contains a substantial 32-page booklet with an unpublished story by the late Giorgio Olmoti entitled “Lande Rumorose” (Noisy Lands). The first CD opens with a super folk version of “Freccia Vallona”, revisited by the ever-talented Tupamaros. The next track, “La storia e la memoria”, features heavy doses of electric guitar in Michele Anelli’s interpretation. ‘Chi ha portato quei fiori per Mara Cagol’ finds the right political-musical line in Alessio Lega (assisted by the trusty Rocco Marchi and Guido Baldoni). “Il silenzio che si sente” becomes even more pop and catchy thanks to the intertwining voices of Roberto Grossi and the excellent Helle. Passion and energy for “In novembre”, with C.F.F. and Nomade Venerabile; dirty and sharp “Domenica pomeriggio di pioggia”, with the talented Cristina Nico and the Colbhi collective. “Al Golgota”, on the other hand, is very evocative thanks to Marco Rovelli and the inseparable Paolo Monti. ‘Chiedilo alle nuvole’ is undoubtedly the highest and most intense moment of this work, with the great Ricky Gianco, the deep voice of Lalli, Sergio Cossu and Maurizio Camardi. The legendary Gang re-release “Tredici” (the version is the one contained in “La rossa primavera” from 2011), one of the most beautiful songs about the Resistance. Stefano Giaccone is also effective in revisiting “Il silenzio del mare”. Massimo Ghiacci (Modena City Ramblers) reinterprets “Ho visto cose che in solitaria” with Irish tones, while “Alla bellezza dei margini”, with the reciting voice of Massimo Carlotto and the musical finesse of Maurizio Camardi and Enrico Pesce, closes the first part. The unmistakable sounds of The Vad Vuc open the second disc with “Andeira”. “VCR” is a combat song with an Andean flavour, performed by the highly talented Ned Ludd All Stars (which, in addition to Gianluca Spirito, features Daniela Coccia – from Muro del Canto – on vocals). Flexus are enthralling in “Carovane”; Simona Colonna is as refined as ever in “Il respiro dell’universo”. “L’impazienza” is very energetic, performed by Giorgio Ravera (La Rosa Tatuata), accompanied by Paolo Bonfanti’s crackling electric guitar. “Fosbury” finds the right delicacy in Daniele Gennaro’s version. In “Evidenti tracce di felicità”, Lastanzadigreta happily combines singer-songwriter music with electronica, while Cri and Sara Fou give “Lettera di morte apparente” a very enveloping acoustic dimension. Roberto Billi fills “Ovunque si nasconda” with sunshine; “L’ultimo testimone” has dance echoes thanks to the Banda POPolare dell’Emilia Rossa. ‘Léngua ed ssu’ is embroidered with Fabio Martino’s accordion and Steve Wickham’s (Waterboys, Sinéad O’Connor, U2) prestigious violin. “Tè chi t’éi” is presented in a powerful live version, with Maurizio Camardi accompanied by La Banda di Via Anelli. This work is a true labour of love, where each artist has managed to personalise these songs, which have taken flight and truly become everyone’s. Projects like these comfort us and make us understand that nothing unites like music. Long live Yo Yo Mundi and their journey made up of stories, encounters, courage, memory, civic engagement and, above all, consistency.
