RAMO ITALIAN TAPESTRY
Generations ago, most of Italy’s regions spoke their own dialects. These dialects were much more varied than simple accents. A Sicilian would have a hard time speaking with someone from Bari who had problems talking to people from Calabria and everyone had a hard time speaking to people “from the north” where “real Italian” was spoken. But, everyone seemed to understand Neapolitan or Napulitan – the dialect of Naples (Napoli). The reason was simple; the greatest, most passionate and certainly the most popular songs emanated from Naples. From the time the legendary Enrico Caruso first recorded “O Sole Mio” in 1898 on Thomas Edison’s new recording machine, Naples has had a monopoly on the Italian melodies the world would embrace forever.
These titles interpreted by the incredible guitarist Michele Ramo are top heavy in Napulitan classics. These selections, some dating back to the 1920’s, were popularized here in America the second half of the 20th century by notable singers like Jimmy Roselli, Jerry Vale, Dean Martin, Al Martino, and Italy’s Sergio Franchi. Ramo has put his own stamp on these songs through his guitar. It is virtually impossible not to hum these world famous melodies after listening to Ramo’s instrumental interpretations.
Ramo easily succeeds in transcending the passion of the words to the melodic tones of his guitar. Through his arrangements, you hear the concerned mother scolding her adolescent son who tries to court an older woman in “Guaglione.” You feel the pain of a tossed aside lover in “Mala Femmena,” the bad woman who is as sweet as sugar with the face of an angel. That pain is only intensified in “Core 'Ngrato," the story of Catherine torturing her lover and never acknowledging his suffering or the fact that he devoted his life to her. On the lighter side, a child is provided with his mother's recipe for creating him in "Comme Facette Mammeta." The loving recipe is rather simple: the best meat, a hundred roses, milk and strawberries without any need for a magic potion. And, of course, Ramo captures one of the most melodic passions of all time with “Torna A Surriento.” Come back to beautiful Sorrento or I will die!
Ramo also takes us a musical journey north and south of Naples by acknowledging the beauty of Rome with the world famous “Arrivederci, Roma.” He then pays homage to his own Sicilian roots with an old folk song, "Quant' e Laia Me Zita," where he lends his vocal pipes to accompany his guitar, along with his own composition "Lacrimi Siciliani," Sicilian tears.
(Naples does not have a monopoly on tears.)
The selections are rich in tradition yet afforded a fresh interpretation with a new path to our hearts through Ramo’s guitar strings. He even adds the love theme from "The Godfather." Unless you have lived in a cave since 1972, you will know that one.
Whether this disc is played in the background or intensely studied, the atmosphere can only be enhanced by the talent, tradition and interpretation of Michele Ramo. Enjoy.
Liner Notes by: Ernie Nasprietto
These titles interpreted by the incredible guitarist Michele Ramo are top heavy in Napulitan classics. These selections, some dating back to the 1920’s, were popularized here in America the second half of the 20th century by notable singers like Jimmy Roselli, Jerry Vale, Dean Martin, Al Martino, and Italy’s Sergio Franchi. Ramo has put his own stamp on these songs through his guitar. It is virtually impossible not to hum these world famous melodies after listening to Ramo’s instrumental interpretations.
Ramo easily succeeds in transcending the passion of the words to the melodic tones of his guitar. Through his arrangements, you hear the concerned mother scolding her adolescent son who tries to court an older woman in “Guaglione.” You feel the pain of a tossed aside lover in “Mala Femmena,” the bad woman who is as sweet as sugar with the face of an angel. That pain is only intensified in “Core 'Ngrato," the story of Catherine torturing her lover and never acknowledging his suffering or the fact that he devoted his life to her. On the lighter side, a child is provided with his mother's recipe for creating him in "Comme Facette Mammeta." The loving recipe is rather simple: the best meat, a hundred roses, milk and strawberries without any need for a magic potion. And, of course, Ramo captures one of the most melodic passions of all time with “Torna A Surriento.” Come back to beautiful Sorrento or I will die!
Ramo also takes us a musical journey north and south of Naples by acknowledging the beauty of Rome with the world famous “Arrivederci, Roma.” He then pays homage to his own Sicilian roots with an old folk song, "Quant' e Laia Me Zita," where he lends his vocal pipes to accompany his guitar, along with his own composition "Lacrimi Siciliani," Sicilian tears.
(Naples does not have a monopoly on tears.)
The selections are rich in tradition yet afforded a fresh interpretation with a new path to our hearts through Ramo’s guitar strings. He even adds the love theme from "The Godfather." Unless you have lived in a cave since 1972, you will know that one.
Whether this disc is played in the background or intensely studied, the atmosphere can only be enhanced by the talent, tradition and interpretation of Michele Ramo. Enjoy.
Liner Notes by: Ernie Nasprietto
