««Beastly Sunday you do it, right?”. Out of National Theater of Milan some fans stop him for a quick hello, then disappears backstage. A few minutes later, Fabio Concato is ready to go on stage: essential lights, a stool, a glass of water (which «would be better if it were wine») and a close-knit band. After eleven months of treatment following a cancer diagnosisThe Milanese singer-songwriter, 72 years oldcame back live with a tour between Milan and Rome. The meaning is simple and direct: «go back to singing, keeping you company and keeping myself company».
Fabio Concato’s first concert after his illness
Inside the National Theatre the atmosphere is that of special occasions, but without too much formality. Warm and familiar. A Concato concert is like this: more than a show, a meeting. He comes in, sits down, keeps time with his hands and starts singing songs that are pieces of life. His fans know it well: going to one of his concerts is a bit like entering the most intimate daily life of a person. «Thanks to everyone who has written and supported me over these 11 months. This is an evening of particular emotion for me» he says after the initial applause. Then he smiles: «You can understand it… in the sense that I don’t remember anything anymore» he concludes, immediately drawing laughter from the room.
«A slightly different show»
They are on stage drums, guitar, bass, keyboards and, in some moments, Flavio Premoli’s accordion. Concato’s concert is not a classic celebration of his career and his songs. There is no distance between stage and audience: there is mutual listening, lightness, shared memory. His performance is a homage to live music, playing together, sharing and relationships. The singer-songwriter values the harmony that binds musicians on the same stage and the one that born with the public. A mutual exchange that creates emotions and magic. The songs flow between jazzy arrangements,”scat scat” improvisations, solos, Spanish veins and his unmistakable sense of irony. From I drive slowly to To Dean Martinpassing through Sexy Tangoup to obviously Beastly Sundaythe repertoire becomes a thread that holds emotion, past and future together.
The last of the storytellers?
Concato’s music is intimate, narrative and everydaywith a strong musical sophistication. His songs cherish the beauty of simplicity. Sophisticated music born Dancing with Chet Baker and easy to understand texts, poetic but accessible. For this reason Concato can be considered, fully entitled, the last Italian storyteller. From Carlo smilingdedicated to a deceased friend, a The shipbitter reflection on the experience of military service, up to Gigian affectionate and intimate letter to his father and their shared love of music: each song is a small fragment of life. Its strong point lies right here: transform simple episodes into clear emotional imageswithout forcing. All supported by soft arrangements, often suspended between jazz and bossa nova, which amplify without ever overwhelming the story.
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