Tamburo Rosso, solo debut album by Valentina Ferraiuolo, percussionist, singer and author, is not just a CD but a concept album that explores the delicate and very topical theme of femicide and, in general, violence against women.
Music is not an end in itself but is part of a broader communication with a clear message reported several times, which echoes in the background as a common thread throughout the work: respect, respect and more respect for women.
It seems strange that in 2019 we still have to fight for this, but the mourning events that continue to happen show that the road to go unfortunately is still long. It is not just a female problem but a problem of humanity, men and women, in which women too often suffer and the "good" men perhaps do not do enough for things to change. Obviously the CD absolutely condemns the authors of such crimes, no ifs and buts !!!
A clear signal is the message printed in clear letters on the CD cover and which will accompany us along the listening path: "Red Drum - The skin of the drum is the only one you can hit". In addition to the author, the CD sees the participation, as musicians and often co-authors, of artists who have a prestigious personal curriculum and this is evident!
The disc ranges between the very personal reinterpretation of well-known songs and the presentation of original pieces. Style, a term that always appears inadequate when it comes to art, takes its cue from popular music and then flies over in a very “polite” and “contemporary” way.
When I turned on the audio system, sat on the sofa and pressed play, I felt the sensation of being immersed in a theatrical performance, and not as an ordinary spectator but as one sitting in the front row (also thanks to the recording ) if not even as a musician.
The CD consists of 13 tracks, including the introduction which, with the text written / recited by Loretta Cavaricci (RAI journalist) and set to music by Dominic DeLuca, accompanies the strictly musical part outlining the leitmotif of the concept-album.
Track 02 "The doll" is a cover of a historic 1968 song brought to success by Patty Pravo and now rearranged by Domenico De Luca in a more "theatrical" form, with a parenthesis of text-denunciation and advice to women: do not be silent. The text, even if 51 years after its publication, is still so current and pertinent to the disc.
Track 03 “Regina degliu Cielo” is the first original piece: in the song in question the lyrics and the music are just from Valentina Ferraiuolo. The song inspired by the canons of popular music is masterfully played, interpreted and recorded. Guitars, cello, percussion, vocals are played by musicians who are true masters not only for the impeccable execution, but mainly for the taste and the right amount of participation.
What we find as a constant when listening to the disc, in addition to the message we have widely spoken about, is the cultured, refined and "polite" way in which the songs are performed and interpreted, providing a new light to the genre.
From now on, the tracks follow one another between reinterpreted covers and original songs.
Perhaps the latter, due to their unpublished nature, allow the listener to perceive the compositional and interpretative will of the artist and musicians.
A particular mention goes to the two unsung musical tracks, 04 - “Le Ali” and 08 - “Oblivion”. Here you can feel the pleasure with which the musicians rearranged, performed, interpreted and experienced the "only" music with greater freedom.
In the track 08, in particular, more intimate and passionate, a poignant cello is taken by the hand and accompanied during the performance by an enveloping classical guitar. Wanting to make an abstraction on the subject with the album, we could say that the two instruments respectfully walk together gently giving each other the arm from time to time.
I would not be surprised, in the future, to listen to some of the songs on the disc as the soundtrack of films, documentaries and theatrical performances whose theme is in line with the aim of Tamburo Rosso.
In fig. 4, back of the cover, you can read the tracks contained and the artists who took part in the CD.
