Mike Patton “Mondo Cane” Review
In a recent interview with AOL’s Noisecreep Mike Patton attempted to sum up who Mondo Cane is for, “If you like orchestral music and have a heart in your fucking chest, you will like this record.” In keeping with Patton’s seemingly life-long preoccupation with non-linear career-jumps, Mondo Cane does exactly what many of the vocalist’s other projects have in the past: It requests that the audience place their trust in Patton as he experiments in a direction that few others would even consider following. And for the most part fans’ trust has been repaid handsomely. In that sense, Mondo Cane is no different.
The project is the result of a decade-long idea which was inspired by Patton’s time spent living in Italy. Engaging himself in the culture and language—oh, also, his wife is Italian—Patton nurtured an appreciation for the country’s music; not modern music however, but rather pop and folk songs from the 1950s and ’60s. As he continued to familiarize himself with the music, Patton began to conceptualize what these same songs would sound like if he were to perform them… with an orchestra. And over the past few years he has done just that, performing numerous times with a band and orchestra while he rips through his Italian lyrics. The release itself finds Patton teamed with a 15-piece band and 40-piece orchestra performing a selection of the very same songs that initially inspired the singer. “My purpose in revisiting these pieces is not to relive the past, not for nostalgia, but more to illustrate through modern and adventurous interpretation exactly how vital and important this music still is.”
Widely considered one of the most representative artists of Italian pop music from the era, a variety of Gino Paoli’s songs are strung together throughout the record. Perhaps the best selection of his is the opening track however, “Il Cielo In Una Stanza.” Popularized by Mina in 1960, where it topped Italian charts and reached the Billboard Hot 100, the song is introduced by a creaking organ that spookily rolls under a playful vocal duet. Early on in the track Patton’s range is tested, though amusingly it’s his animated annunciation of the lyrics which is most striking—the singer often rolling his tongue in perfect synch with the orchestra behind him.
“Che Notte!” follows, with Patton bouncing his menacing vocals off of the rapid trumpet-led accompaniment. A buzzing guitar and steady piano open Fred Bongusto’s “Ore D’Amore,” a song which peaked at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 when released as “The World We Knew (Over and Over)” by Frank Sinatra. Ennio Morricone’s Danger Diabolik theme “Deep Deep Down” follows, marking one of the recording’s high points for both the musicians and the singer. With the song, and album for that matter, Patton continually balances between the structure, mood, and tone of the original composition and his own blazing translation. In “Deep Deep Down” he enhances the vocal part—something which has never been too difficult for Patton—but later concedes to the band, taking an equal role with the underlying music. The shift back and forth, not simply in this particular song however, is one that exemplifies the artistry found within the musicians’ compelling relationship.
Luigi Tenco’s gentle violin-led “Quello Che Conta” from the 1962 film La Cuccagna follows, slowing the pace of Mondo Cane down considerably while adding a tangible depth to the collection. The Blackmen’s 1967 psychedelic/garage-rock track “Urlo Negro” splashes down quickly after, breaking the gentle surface created by “Quello” with a rumbling drum introduction and Patton’s shrieking vocals. The song is relatively intense compared to the rest of the record and stands as a distinct outlier on the album, but in keeping with the continual shift in pace throughout Mondo Cane its rambunctious velocity sounds amazing.
“Scalinatella” has the unenviable position of following the overwhelming “Urlo Negro.” As the meandering folk song fades out the theme to 1965′s L’Uomo Che Non Sapeva Amare hits with a boom, but despite its gigantic sound neither Patton nor the orchestra spin their parts outside of the restraints of the original recording’s structure; then again, Mondo Cane IS a covers album. The galloping “20 KM Al Giorno” lends a variety of solo-moments for the band while Patton croons out the remainder of the recording with “Ti Offro Da Bere” and “Senza Fine.”
As far as needing to have a heart and an appreciation of orchestral music to enjoy Mondo Cane goes, Patton might be a little off. Compared to one of his last projects, the polarizing Peeping Tom release which compiled such guests as Norah Jones, Kool Keith and Rahzel into an avant-garde aural orgy, Mondo Cane is quite accessible. Not just accessible, actually, but enticing. This credit can’t entirely be given to Patton however; it would be criminal to neglect just how much of the enjoyment from the music comes from the actual musicians. The orchestra and band work together to create a stunning interpretation of each song that gracefully enhances Patton’s glowing vocals. So no, to enjoy Mondo Cane you don’t need an appreciation of orchestral music and a heart in your fucking chest; just a heart and a pair of ears, Mr. Patton. Just a heart and a pair of ears.
I’ve been waiting for this record for 5 years. Thank you so much for paying attention to this project.
Excellent review…I concur: thanks for giving this album the attention it deserves (offnote: Patton divorced his Italian wife in 2001). I can’t believe Mondo Cane is finally here!
The only problem i have with the album is that Don Backy’s Song ( Canzone)..Excuse the pun but the title does mean “Song”…Well it’s not in the final cut in the album..Still purchasing the final product but a bit disappointed..Ciao
When I found this, I was excited about new music to listen..then I listen to him.. I’m Italian and his Italian sounds like s***t, he seems crazy.
I wish I could speak your beautiful language Davide, but give the guy a break that is just the California dialect!
well said, Zaza. As a Bosnian living in the U.S. I can’t notice any difference between Mike’s and let’s say Ramazzotti’s accents, but his vocal is mesmerizing throughout this great album…
Davide. pretend he’s from California. feel better?
COme on….his voice his hauntingly beautifull. He does those songs proud. If Mike Patton was the only thing i could listen to for the rest of my life, you wouldnt hear one complaint out of my mouth.
I’m Italian (sorry for my english). Mike Patton sings VERY WELL in Italian. Of course he is not perfect, but he’s AMERICAN, it’s normal. Think at Italians that speak English, eheh, we are ridiculous
I’m Italian and just would like to apologize for Davide’s comment … Mike’s Italian accent is quite good, and much better than the English accent of 99% of the people here.
Thanks Mike, well done!
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!!
Patton is indeed one the most creative and fearless vocalists to have ever recorded and released popular music. I’m sure his Italian isn’t as perfect as a true native, but given this is his second language, is as good as it could be (pointless debate).
This disc will easily move the listener around emotionally, and delivers a work of beauty.
Is there a DVD/BluRay of these concerts in the offing (low-res YouTube clips just don’t cut it on my HDtv/Hi-Fi); if so, put me in the queue immediately…
Thanks Mike, for opening up a part of the musical spectrum I’d have blindly overlooked.
I can say you that Mike sings a very good Italian, I’m from Republic of San Marino and my mother language is Italian!
Mike’s great! He is giving us a piece of history.
Just bought this in Itunes, really interesting! I saw Faith No More in Dublin in August and there were as amazing as always …. Mike Patton is amazing singer and it is great to here him singing on Mondo Cane, I’m not massively keen on some of his more mad side projects, I just like to hear him sing proper songs!! Also I teach languages, including Italian, for a living and I think the guy has done pretty well, complimenti Mike!!
He’s just amazing. Rap, rock, hiphop, world music, and now…60s Italian music! I’m a highschool student, and none of my friends know him. Pretty sad that not a lot of people at my age know him. He must be recognized.
i’m italian too and i confirm the really good italian pronunciation
more, i’m just amazed from the perfect use of the Naples’s accent in “Scalinatella”
symmewise – he didn’t divorce in 2001, they were separated … they divorced much later, actually Mike and Titi are still close and he still calls her “my wife”. He says “the eternity” if you know what I mean …
when i caught ear of this… couldnt stop listening to it…
being a mad patton fan… he has done exceptionally well…
he has sure widened my tastes in music now (mainly metal and hardcore rock) but patton has put himself forward as a beautiful singer…
congrats patton… you are a great musician…
Mike Patton is the best, he is the genius of all time!!
and i’m not italian, so i don’t know how good or bad his pronounciation is, but his songs sound awesome in that language, it sounds so romantic and elegant, italian is cool, mondo cane is cool is “a balm for the soul”…. and i love Mike because he is multifaceted, talented and he unwittingly knows how to win over people of all ages ….