A transition album for
Francesco De Gregori,
Terra di Nessuno finds him hesitating between his cantautore roots and a more rock-oriented sound. No big hits this time but, as customary, at least half the album is excellent.
De Gregori's songwriting is becoming more direct as he focuses mostly on themes of social injustice -- a trend that will be amplified in
Mira Mare 19.4.89 and
Canzoni D'Amore. Indeed, almost every track in
Terra di Nessuno is a character study of a suffering outcast or victim (especially of labor exploitation, a recurrent topic of several of
De Gregori's songs from this period.) Songs like
"I Matti," "Nero," "Pane e Castagne," "Mimi Sara," all are rendered with the perfect mix of compassion, poignancy, wit, and intelligence that has come to characterize one of Italy's greatest singer/songwriters. The closer
"Vecchia Valigia" demonstrates that he is still unparalleled in the nostalgia-love song genre as well. On the minus side, the production sounds a bit too polished. In fact, many of these songs will find their ideal presentation in the
De Gregori trilogy of live releases from 1990,
Catcher in the Sky,
Niente da Capire, and
Musica Leggera. ~ Mariano Prunes