A new week in the company of Musical Disclosure. In the next three appointments, we return to Italy, and we do it with a singer-songwriter who still today is of great inspiration both musically and lyrically: Franco Battiato.
Franco Battiato, born on March 23, 1945, in Ionia, in the province of Catania, stands out in the Italian music scene for his extraordinary versatility and innovative artistic path. After graduating from the "Archimede" Scientific High School in Acireale, he moved to Milan, where he made his first appearance in the music scene at Club 64, sharing the stage with illustrious names like Paolo Poli and Enzo Jannacci. In 1967, he formed the duo "Gli Ambulanti" with Gregorio Alicata, with whom he performed in schools with a repertoire of protest songs. 1967 also marks Battiato's debut in the music industry with the single "La torre/Le reazioni" and his first television appearance on the show "Diamoci del tu." In the following years, thanks to the influence of Giorgio Gaber, he signed with the record label Jolly and recorded other singles, including "Il mondo va così/Triste come me," consolidating his presence in the Italian music scene.
Battiato's artistic turning point came in the 1970s when he abandoned the traditional song format to dedicate himself to musical experimentation. With the album "Fetus" in 1972, released on the Bla Bla label, he began a journey of experimental music that would lead him to explore new sounds and break with the conventions of the time. Works such as "Pollution" (1972) and "Sulle corde di Aries" (1973) followed, characterized by a unique combination of minimalism, electronics, and Mediterranean influences. In 1974, the album "Clic," entirely dedicated to the composer Karlheinz Stockhausen, was released, and in 1975, Battiato participated in experimental projects like Telaio Magnetico. This period is marked by a series of collaborations with other artists and groups, including Jumbo and Osage Tribe, which highlight his versatility and ability to range across different musical genres.
In the following years, Battiato signed with Dischi Ricordi and returned to the traditional song format, but with an innovative and experimental approach matured in his musical experiences of the previous years. With albums like "Battiato" (1977) and "L'era del cinghiale bianco" (1979), the artist blends elements of pop music with esoteric and literary references, creating a unique and recognizable sound.
Today, we propose listening to the title track of Battiato's first album. Enjoy!
