Rome in Technicolor

While I was in Rome in the days between 2015 and 2016, I drove through one of the many districts of the city that tourists probably don't get to discover on a 'standard' tour.

The district is known as "Trullo", and the photos below should be more effective than several words in explaining why I took out my camera and went back there later that same day. I only covered the road eponimously called "via del Trullo", yet I suspect that some inner streets and footpaths offer other coloured sights to the stroller.

The first mural that caught my attention while driving: on the left of the drawing there is a poem entitled "Wherever I am".

This truly looks like a breach in a wall, doesn't it?

Another impressive mural!

An example of a smaller mural, where once again drawing and poetry meet.

I like that the drawing seems somewhat out of focus.

This is for anyone who appreciates calligraphy!

Even a 'simple' decoration can be powerful.

As I noticed that the poems that I photographed were signed, I searched for additional information on the web, and discovered that the district has a lively 'poetry scene'. Particularly, the collective called "Poeti der Trullo" has a well-designed website that they update regularly; if you know some Italian, check out http://www.poetidertrullo.it/. I may have also discovered the origin of some of the murals that caught my eye: in October 2015 Trullo hosted the third edition of an international festival of street poetry that included a variety of performances over three days. I wonder if some of the sights that I photographed saw the light at that time? It isn't fully clear from the information that I found online... Whatever the origin, I'm glad that I stumbled upon this colourful, solid cocktail of pictures and words.

A poem...

... split over two roller shutters.

Autumnal hues

Who said that the colours of autumn are restricted to red, yellow and brown?

 A pictorial answer to the question.

Of birds and music

 A while ago a friend sent this link to me http://www.capefarewell.com/seachange/air-falbh-leis-na-h-eoin-away-with-the-birds-hanna-tuulikki-geoff-sample/

and I thought it would be nice to write an article about this project here... But then I didn't. I still think it's worth spreading the word about this unusual work, so happy listening everyone!

http://awaywith-thebirds.tumblr.com/

FolkRec - Auprès de ma blonde

This traditional French song is also known as "Le prisonnier de la Hollande", and according to Wikipedia it dates back to the 17th century (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aupr%C3%A8s_de_ma_blonde). I think it might have been composed as a military song; through the centuries a few alternative versions appeared, and now the song is also a popular nursery rhyme.

At the Cambridge Folk Festival I had the chance to discover Olivia Chaney, who writes and sings beautiful songs: I then stumbled upon her version of this song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY2izR3fN_U) - mine is slightly different (I played a bit with the words so that they make sense to me and yes, I played with ornamentation as well!), but I have to thank Olivia Chaney for teaching me this tune from a distance, so to speak.

Enjoy and do not fall asleep if you can! ;)

FolkRec - Cambridge Folk Festival

Going to Cambridge Folk Festival at the end of July was an absolutely wonderful experience. The festival, whose first edition dates from 1964, is worth going (at least once, if one is into folk music... and perhaps even if one isn't?!); I also had the chance to go with my friend Paola - such an amazing company! When I came up with the rather crazy idea of signing up for a floor spot in the Club Tent, she was very encouraging - I should really thank her for her support and the recording that she made of my open mic (which took place exactly two months ago!), as the whole experience wouldn't have been the same without her.
Here it is then - all four songs are traditional, namely:
1. Fair Nottamun Town.
2. The Recruited Collier (02:00).
3. Gathering Rushes in the Month of May (05:00).
4. The Banks of Red Roses (09:08).

Waves made solid

Wow, my last post was in March... Time flies - except that it felt like March, temperature-wise, up to not very long ago.

Never mind...

Here is a very succint post, whose sole purpose is to highlight the following website:
http://www.pierrecarreau.com/

Enjoy the watery geometries!

FolkRec - Month of January

I have known this song for a while, although it didn't strike me as one of my favourite tunes. Oddly, I could still remember the melody - even though I learnt it from a very talented Irish singer some five years ago.
Over Christmas I felt like challenging myself with something new: why not with this one then? I diligently memorised the lyrics, I thought of how I would like to sing it and eventually came up with a-sort-of-final version of this melancholic Irish song. The timing was quite right as well: "Month of January", a recording that would appear as a January blog entry... Or maybe not. January and February passed; March came and I thought "Well, it's almost spring now, I guess I'll wait for next year to post this song" - once again, bad prediction! Today I woke up and saw the snow gently falling down, covering roofs, trees and lawns.

... It's now or never! Thank you for listening.

Last but not least, happy Saint Patrick's Day!!