All compositions by Enrico Merlin except for “La Bamba” (traditional, arranged by Enrico Merlin) and “Romagna Mia” (Secondo Casadei, arranged by Enrico Merlin)
All tracks previously unreleased or in this form.
A2, B2, and B4 are completely new recordings.
L'Albero delle Meraviglie [The Tree of Wonders]
Previously unreleased track for Massimo Barbot's "I colori del gusto" documentary.
La Bamba | Send Me Some Flowers
When everybody's gone and just a lonely guitar player “remains” en el barrio, en la noche...
Tango of the Blades
I created the first version of The Tango of the Blades in 2009, using a series of concrete sounds recorded in artisans' workshops: drills, presses, circular saws, jigsaws, hammers and other machine tools participate in the game of parts in this sonic fresco in three movements. The rest are guitars of different makes, a double bass, a keyboard and a grueling and exciting work of editing and overdubs. This is also a tribute to Astor Piazzolla with his own voice, tells us how in 1940 Tango in Argentina was like a religion, untouchable and how the innovations he introduced were considered a form of heresy at the time. This piece is dedicated to him and his vision.
Capovilla Guitar – Main Titles Theme
Previously unreleased (in this form) is the main track for Massimo Barbot's documentary I colori del gusto".
Lost and Found Revamped [2021 arrangement]
The acoustic version of the song was originally released on my previous album Unframed ... Straight Ahead!, but in my head I always heard it an orchestral form. A primal arrangement has been released on Never Again!, but here we are, finally, fully developed!
Romagna Mia
My arrangement and interpretation of “Romagna Mia” is dedicated to my parents, Maria and Antonio. When I was a little child they were used to go dancing in ballrooms to the music of Secondo Casadei and many other “liscio” masters. That's my tribute to a lost time and happy places.
Riccarda Casadei (daughter of the composer): «Wonderful! Heartbreaking in its simplicity, full of pathos, a thrilling ending. Congratulations!!!
It's clear you put your heart in playing it and you give us a beautiful gift for this special anniversary for my father. When we listen to the music played by someone who can play well, it is always a great joy.»
Looper de Loopis [was TuningArt – Finale]
Originally conceived as music for a documentary about twenty artists and craftsmen. Every individual is represented here by a different sound and/or loop, entering the scene for each one at time. The community is assembled layer by layer. Most of the sounds are shared with the Tango of the Blades.
Watching My Tears Flowing Away
An improvisation on acoustic guitar dedicated to Paola.
Finally... Found [was TuningArt – Oggetti]
I was lost... and I was found.
Enrico Merlin (acoustic, electric and hollow-body guitars, live electronics, loops)
Enrico Merlin plays through Fattoria Mendoza (by Maurizio Beltrami) sound devices and D'Angelo Amplifiers
Recorded at Merlin Alchemist Vaults by Enrico Merlin except A2, B2, B4, and overdubs here and there recorded by Marco Ober using a Neumann U-47 and state-of-the-art recording equipment
Front cover painting by Fabio Sala
Photos by Tommaso Bertoldi
Comics by Mattia Franceschini
Artwork and album design by Francesco Longhi
Artistic producer, Enrico Merlin
Executive producers, Nicola Battista and Fabio Sala
I would like to thank all the supporters and fans who helped me a lot in this very hard period: this album is for you!
Special thanks to Piergiorgio Cupellini (for following the production since the beginning and for sequencing the songs), Mattia Franceschini (great illustrator and long time collaborator), Giovanni Principe (our man in Ohio, English supervisor), Tommaso Bertoldi (for the great pictures in this album), Adriano Frisanco (for helping in catching the essence of the painting on the front cover), and Marco Ober for the incredible recording, mixing and mastering work (he was really a second musician and artistic co-producer during these sessions).
Paola Giordano for LOVE, patience and keeping the flame burning.
And a very special thanks to my production managers, Nicola Battista and Fabio Sala. Without them, no Dangerous Mind would have happened!