Latte
e Miele began life in Genoa in 1971 with a first line-up featuring
Giancarlo Marcello Della Casa (electric and acoustic guitar, violin,
bass, lead vocals), Oliviero Lacagnina (piano, organ, harpsichord,
moog, mellotron, celesta, vocals) and Alfio Vitanza (drums, cymbals,
bells, flute, vocals). In 1971 guitarist Giancarlo Marcello Della
Casa also took part, with other guest musicians, in the recording
sessions of I Giganti’s album “Terra in bocca”. This experience
seems to have influenced also Latte e Miele’s debut album, “Passio
Secundum Mattheum”, a concept work where clear classical influences
blend with rock, classical music and beautiful melodies. Well,
“Passio Secundum Mattheum” is also the title of a classical work
by J.S. Bach, but this album is not its “rock version”. The
lyrics drew inspiration from the Gospel according to St. Matthew and
they are absolutely “politically correct”, you can’t find here
the boldness and the poetical inventions of “Terra in bocca” (an
album completely “built upon the lyrics”) or of Fabrizio De
Andrè’s album “La buona novella” (a conceptual work inspired
by the apocryphal gospels). Here the lyrics seem to be just a feeble
thread binding together a good musical patchwork, but the result is
not always convincing. By the way, Latte e Miele were the very first
rock band to perform in the Vatican City in front of the Pope, no
wonder then if the narrative parts every now and again seem just to
come out from a “Catholic mass”...
The
short instrumental opener “Introduzione” (Introduction) sets the
atmosphere starting with a church-like choir, then shy echoes of
Bolero come in leading to a beautiful crescendo featuring a good
electric guitar solo. Next comes “Il giorno degli azzimi” (The
first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread) and “Ultima cena”
(The last supper), closely bound together. An acoustic guitar
arpeggio and a dreamy mood are the background for narrative vocals
and sung parts where the band interacts with an operatic choir... “On
the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples and
Jesus prepared the Passover...”. The lead vocals and choir
interpret the voices of the disciples and Jesus while a narrator is
in charge of the spoken parts... While they were eating, Jesus took
bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples... “The
bread you will break will be your body shared for us / The wine you
will pour will be your blood spilled for us...”. When evening came,
Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were
eating, he said... “One of you will betray me...”. The disciples
were very sad and began to say to him one after the other... “Surely
not I, Lord?”. The voices of the disciples seem to come from an
opera, there’s surprise and brio, then the rhythm calms down...
Judas,
the one who would betray him, said “Surely not I, Rabbi?”. It’s
the beginning of “Getzemani” (Gethsemane) a beautiful and melodic
“aria”. Jesus’ soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of
death and his voice soars in a prayer... “My Father, if it is not
possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your
will be done...”. Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed
him. Jesus was arrested and put on trial. The short “Il processo”
(The trial) features amazing operatic vocals... “Now, My Lord
you’ll go on trial for the world’s sake / This way you will save
us...”.
The
next track “I testimoni” (The witnesses) is divided in two parts
and features reminiscences of Latin rock “à la Carlos Santana”.
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest,
where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. The chief
priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence
against Jesus so that they could put him to death. Finally two came
forward and declared... “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy
the temple of God and rebuild it in three days...”.
“Il
pianto” (The crying) is a short acoustic and melodic track, an
“aria” full of mercy and admiration for the man who is going to
die for the world’s sake... “You don’t speak my brother /
Silently you are going to die for me... A mother is crying for her
son who’s going to die...”.
“Giuda”
(Judas) is another short track. It’s more aggressive and features
hard rock guitar riffs and swing passages... When Judas, who had
betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with
remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and
the elders. Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he
went away and hanged himself. His fate was to betray because of
jealousy... “A tableau is hanging / It makes you understand...”.
“Il
re dei Giudei” (The king of Jews) is solemn and dramatic. Jesus was
brought to trial in front of Pilate, the Roman procurator. The
governor asked him, - Are you the king of the Jews? - Jesus replied -
Yes, it is as you say. When he was accused by the chief priests and
the elders, he gave no answer... “Jesus was silent in front of
Pilate / He said nothing but – I’m the king of Jews...”.
“Il
calvario” (Golgotha) opens with operatic vocals shouting
“Barabbas!”. It was the governor’s custom at the Feast to
release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a
notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered,
Pilate asked them, - Which one do you want me to release to you:
Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?... The crowd chose Barabbas
and Jesus was condemned! The roaring answer of the crowd then gives
way to the organ and choir describing in music the Via Crucis... His
cross carried by Simon the Cyrenian, Jesus is led to Golgotha for
crucifixion. The executioners fix a sign to the cross: “This is
Jesus: the King of the Jews”. From the sixth hour until the ninth
hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus
cried out in a loud voice “My God, my God, why have you forsaken
me?”. And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave
up his spirit...
The
conclusive “aria”, “Il dono della vita” (The gift of life),
is a reflection full of mercy and hope where the lead vocals and
choir interact. “Like a stream which wants to wet the sand / You
will be my brother... Your life is so great to be called never
ending...”.
The
re-release on CD also features a bonus track, “Mese di maggio”
(May). It’s just a melodic pop song that contrasts with the rest of
the album and adds nothing to this work...
You can listen in streaming to the complete album HERE
The
band have recently completely re-recorded the whole album with new
versions of the old pieces and some unreleased tracks...
More
info:
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