Claudio Milano’s End Friends (La Bobina di Tesla) – ManifestAzioni live 2011-2023 (Music Force/Egea, 2023)
Claudio Milano, based in Milan, Italy, presents ManifestAzioni live 2011-2023, a captivating live record highlighting an extended vocal technique, ranging from Siberian throat singing and lovely conventional singing to highly dramatic performances and experimental vocals. Joining him are a distinguished group of collaborators.
This impressive double set explores the realms of folk, progressive rock (specially leaning towards Zeuhl and dream-like rock progresivo italiano), avant-garde music, electronica, ambient, jazz fusion, and early music. Recorded over two hours spanning Italy and France from 2011 to 2023, the album features a meticulously curated selection of recordings from a vast collection.
The album is not just a listening experience; it’s an opportunity to ‘leaf through,’ with the ultra-limited edition including a photo book. From medieval Italian to contemporary Friulian, the languages sung traverse modern and ancient realms. Furthermore, the set is accompanied by original lyrics and remixed quotations from the works of Dante Alighieri, Leo Zanier, Bertolt Brecht/Kurt Weill, Nikolai Rainov, Giuseppe Ungaretti, Derek Jarman, Alan Bennett, Conon de Béthune, and Franco Battiato.
Notably, except for ‘Amanti in Guerra,’ none of the tracks featured here were part of the performer’s previous live shows, and most won’t find a place in future studio releases. This compilation challenges the presumption of a linear progression in music history, delving into the rich tapestry of sounds from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Claudio Milano is a multifaceted artist, an explorer of vocal forms and designer of creations for theater, performance, dance, and installations. Moreover, Claudio Milano is also a teacher, music therapist, actor, and illustrator. From 2004 until today he has released several albums, 3 of which were double, as well as two DVDs. In addition, he has performed with remarkable musicians in the fields of western classical music, rock, jazz, world music, avant-garde music, pop and beyond.
Musicians and Performers: Claudio Milano on vocals and theatrical performance; Francesca Badalini on piano, synthesizer, zither; Walter Calloni on drums and percussion; Luca Casiraghi on drums and percussion; Evaristo Casonato on flutes, oboe, bagpipes; Arrington De Dionyso on vocals; Gerardo Ferrara, theatrical performance; Giovanni ‘Vanni’ Floreani on cister, flutes, bagpipes, electronics, electric guitar; vocals; Ermes Ghirardini on drums and percussion; Andrea Grumelli on fretless bass, electronics; Raoul Moretti on electrified harp; Eugenioprimo Saragoni on vocals; Cristina Sybell Spadotto on electric guitar; Ares Tavolazzi on electric bass; Paolo Tofani on trikanta veena, electronics, Ipad, vocals; Marco Tuppo on electronics; Paolo Viezzi on double bass; Giulia Zaniboni on vocals; and Vincenzo Zitello on Celtic harp.
Notably, this is a complex musical gem, in terms of vocal output, that demands attention and promises to leave a lasting impression.