Track 3 - C’Avanti C’è

The original field recording that inspired the arrangement:

This was traditionally an olive gatherer's song that has since been forgotten or is only known by a small few. It underlines the importance of these 1954 field recordings by Alan Lomax and it was found in Southern Italy from the region Calabria.

The “oom-pa” feel is based on a traditional dance rhythm in Italy called the Tammurriata. Throughout this composition the idea was to play with several little themes and see how many ways I could twist them to make the composition sound fresh and lively throughout. 

The middle piano improvisation (by Clay Colley) represents the shift of the song that takes us to the almost dream quality of the lyrics in that portion of the song. Clay had to improvise on one of the worst pianos I think I have ever seen… and he crushed it.

Lyrics - Parole:
C'avanti c'è nu hiavuru d'ammuscatu 
pari ca nceni la spezialaria 
ci staci nu garofulu adornatu
e ccu li rami cumbogghia la via 
ancora non è beru spompinatu
mu nci lu leva a l'amurusa mia 
mu si lu ment' a lu pett' adornatu
mu si lu godi per amuri mia 
ora c'avanti nci vorria chiantari
aranci duci e puma e limuncella 
e ntra lu menzu na funtana fari
mu vannu all' acqua li giuvani belli 
eu nascostu mi vorrà conzari 
mu mi li godu comu palumbelli 
una di chiri mi vorrà pigghiari
chira chi ndavi l'occhi li cchiù belli 

Translation:
Here before us is a fragrance of musk
As though a vendor of spices were nearby
There is a lovely carnation,
And it covers the road with its branches.
It is not yet full blown.
Now I can take it to my true love.
So she can put it to her lovely breast.
So she can enjoy it for love of me.
I would like to plant in this space
Sweet oranges, apples and little lemons,
And in the center make a fountain,
So the young beauties would go there.
I would like to hide myself there
To enjoy them like little doves.
I would like to choose one of them,
The one with the most beautiful eyes