CD REVIEW - Napoli Violenta


Napoli Violenta
Music by Franco Micalizzi
Beat Records CDCR 79 (Italy)
30 Tracks 52:39 mins

For this crime thriller from the late '70s, Franco Micalizzi composed an interesting main theme, a kind of combination of a folksy tarantella and brassy, dramatic crime theme. This is played over the opening track "Folk and Violence." The tarantella style is used sparingly in the remainder of the score, with its most conventional appearance in "Naples Alley." The crime theme however receives numerous variations, mixed in with the composer's dramatic action music.
Sad and reflective moments feature instrumental variations on the score's principal song "A Man Before Your Time," a very strongly melodic offering, performed by The Bulldogs, but lyrically it is not so memorable. It's a dramatic piece and translates well to its telling placements within the score.
There is another song on the album, "Tira 'a Rezza oj Piscatore," a strong ballad with a pop beat, performed by the ever exc ellent Raoul.
Enjoyable album though this is, there are just too many action/suspense tracks, which pretty much sound alike, save for the addition of electronics and percussion in some cases, and it all gets a bit wearing after a while. Really, this is a rare case where a 35 minute album, like in the days of the film's release, would have been preferable.
The disc is accompanied by a colourful and informative booklet, with stills and artwork from the film, together with notes in Italian and English by Massimo Lusuardi. Incidentally, if you would like to read more of Lusuardi's comments on the score, visit www.beatrecords.it.