Si avvicinano le ferie e molti di voi sapranno che, per un appassionato di musica, scegliere i dischi da portare in viaggio è importante quanto fare le valigie, (far) controllare l'auto e avere i documenti in regola. Io ho deciso di non portare con me roba impegnativa: niente suites, niente sinfonie, niente tempi dispari, niente distorsioni, ecc. Ho voglia di musica pop, preferibilmente con voce femminile. Anzi, facciamo pure “esclusivamente” con voce femminile. Non potevano dunque mancare i capostipiti dell'europop Middle Of The Road, con un bel doppio cd, “The RCA Years”, che raggruppa i primi tre album e le bonus track dell'edizione italiana dell'esordio. Fermi tutti: capostipiti?! Sissignori, avete letto bene. Avete presente quel quartetto svedese con due donne alla voce che ha venduto giusto qualche centinaio di milione di copie e a cui sono stati dedicati musical, film e musei? Indovinate un po' a chi si ispirarono in primis. Se non ci credete, ascoltate qualche singolo dei MOTR (Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum, Sacramento (What A Wonderful Town), Soley Soley, Samson And Delilah) e converrete anche voi. Non bastasse ancora (ma a questo punto significherebbe negare l'evidenza) valgano come riprove almeno una cover nella sua madrelingua di un'ancora solista Agnetha Fältskog di Union Silver e dichiarazioni di stima da parte di Björn Ulvaeus.
La vicenda Middle Of The Road è un fulgido esempio di pop di produttore, più che d'autore, intereuropeo, in cui hanno un ruolo fondamentale alcuni italiani: sono i fratelli Mario e Giosy Capuano, compositori e arrangiatori, a scoprire questi quattro scozzesi nell'estate del 1970, mentre si esibiscono per locali nella penisola, e a proporli a Giacomo Tosti della divisione italiana della RCA. Dopo essersi prestati come sessionmen in brani altrui, Ken Andrew (batteria), i fratelli Eric (basso) e Ian (chitarra) McCredie a la biondissima e bellissima cantante Sally Carr danno fuoco alle polveri con una cover di un brano già popolare dalle nostre parti, Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep del bizzarro Lally Stott, altro britannico in cerca di fortuna nel Belpaese. Il successo è clamoroso non solo in Italia e allora Tosti li affida proprio ai Capuano per le musiche, mentre per i testi viene scritturato proprio Stott. Si replica con Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum, folk-pop ritmato e deliziosamente infantile, altro altro successo mondiale: in Italia sono un'istituzione, in Europa continentale e Scandinavia (ma va?!) sono tutti ai loro piedi, la madrepatria inizialmente poco attenta li riscopre e impara ad amarli e sono ben apprezzati anche in Asia, Oceania e Americhe. Numeri sensazionali, sia per una band agli esordi, sia per due compositori italiani che stanno insegnando un paio di cosette a tutto il mondo in ambito pop, alla stregua di rinomati autori di casa nostra come Giorgio Moroder e un'altra coppia di fratelli, i La Bionda (italians do it better?).
Il primo album, per convenienza battezzato proprio “Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep”, sistema, oltre ai singoli di cui sopra, un altro paio di competenti cover, I Can't Tell the Bottom from the Top degli Hollies e Yellow River dei Christie, e una scaletta variegata per cui la nomea dei quattro di gruppo “bubblegum”, appioppata in virtù dei loro singoli spensierati e giovanili, risulta alquanto restrittiva. E' un manipolo di belle canzoni che attingono sia dalla tradizione pop non solo anglosassone, ma anche nostrana. Fateci caso: ascoltate To Remind Me e The Sun is in Your Skin, provate ad immaginarle cantate in italiano e ditemi poi se avrebbero sfigurato o meno ad un Sanremo di quegli anni. Canzoni di ottima fattura, eppure il meglio viene quando gli scozzesi sono più brit che mai, come in una kinksianissima Fate Strange Fate e in una Give It Time che sarebbe sicuramente piaciuta agli Small Faces.
Passa appena qualche mese dall'esordio e i Middle Of The Road bissano con “Acceleration” sul finire del 1971: siamo ancora di stanza in Italia, ma vengono prediletti influssi roots americani in luogo degli italianismi di cui sopra e il gruppo si trova senza dubbio a proprio agio, come dimostrano il country da balera Love Sweet Love e lo zuccherino terzinato da era doo-wop You'll Know What Love is For. Vengono inclusi i singoli Sacramento, Soley Soley e Samson and Delilah, che, come già detto, sono più Abba degli Abba prima degli Abba, e un altro bel gruzzoletto policromo di gioielli pop: la piano-ballad sentimentale On this Land (Maestro Baglioni, ringrazi per l'ispirazione), una Queen Bee degna della Joni Mitchell più giocosa, il beffardo numero da music-hall in stile Macca era Sergente Pepe/Doppio Bianco The Talk of all the USA, la lennoniana con brio Try a Little Understanding e una Medicine Woman che è una finestra aperta sul futuro imminente del pop-rock, dagli ELO ai Fleetwood Mac era Buckingham/Nicks. Le vendite sono ancora straordinarie, il 1972 viene trascorso in tournée e la band passa dalla divisione italiana della RCA a quella internazionale, per cui...
… Nel 1973 esce “Drive On”. Viene reclutato un altro albionico di adozione italiana, il batterista degli ormai disciolti Rokes Mike Shepstone, in luogo di Stott, e rimangono i Capuano; la band ha comunque più voce in capitolo e interviene più spesso in fase di composizione. Le coordinate sono le stesse dell'album precedente, però con un tocco di maturità in più: le ballate sono sempre carezzevoli, ma rivelano un tono più meditativo e, in un certo senso, adulto, mentre i brami ritmati rockeggiano un tantino in più rispetto al passato (Honey No). C'è qualche caduta di tono, come il singolo Kailakee Kailako, tentativo non troppo convinto di scrivere un'altra hit di facile presa. Nondimeno, l'album è mediamente più che pregevole e ha il suo apice in un pezzo scritto interamente da Ian McCredie, una Blind Detonation a cavallo tra Stones e Byrds che è un piccolo capolavoro. Questa volta le vendite non sono soddisfacenti quanto in passato e si scioglie la partnership tra RCA e Middle Of The Road, che si accasano preso la tedesca Ariola. Ma questa è un'altra storia. Per quel che rimane di questa estate, di carne al fuoco ce n'è in abbondanza.
Si parte. Cheep cheep.
Elenco tracce e testi
07 Sacramento (02:56)
There's something about the weather that ev'rybody loves
They call it the Indian spring of Sacramento
And when the sun is up in the sky
The wind is blowing by the riverside most ev'ry day
You're in Sacramento - a wonderful town
Sing, sing, sing, din-di-din
There's something about the people that ev'rybody knows
That gives you a tender feeling of confusion
You're feeling lonely but you don't know
Until this other feeling here inside you starts to grow
You're in Sacramento - a wonderful town
Sing, sing, sing, din-di-din
Now that spring is near again
And you're thinking if only you were not so lonely - boo-hoo
But you can ease your restless mind (ease your restless mind)
'Cos all the people are lovin' kind in Sacramento
There's something about the weather that ev'rybody loves
They call it the Indian spring of Sacramento
You're feeling lonely but you don't know
Until this other feeling here inside you starts to grow
You're in Sacramento - a wonderful town
Sing, sing, sing, din-di-din
Sacramento, Sacramento
Sacramento, Sacramento
Sacramento, Sacramento
Sacramento, Sacramento . . . [continue to fade]
08 Bottoms Up (03:14)
Bottoms up to people sit you down
Enjoy your living with the people sit you down
Singing bottoms up to people sit you down
Enjoy your living with the people sit you down
Take your mind off all your heartaches
And you'll find they're good as gone
Now the ball is on the uptake
Join the world and be as one
Bottoms up to people sit you down . . .
Tho' your mind is in the dog house
'Cos your wife has thrown you out
Don't be acting like a bog mouse
Take your lead off
move about
Bottoms up to people sit you down . . .
Take your mind off all your heartaches
And you'll find they're good as gone
Now the ball is on the uptake
Join the world and be as one
Bottoms up to people sit you down . . .
14 Yellow River (02:52)
So long, boy you can take my place
Got my papers, I've got my pay
So pack my bags and I'll be on my way
To Yellow River
Put my gun down, the war is won
Fill my glass, now the time has come
I'm going back to the place that I love
At Yellow River
Yellow River, Yellow River
Is in my mind and in my eyes
Yellow River, Yellow River
Is in my blood, it's the place I love
Got no time for explanations, got no time to lose
Tomorrow night you'll find me
sleeping underneath the moon
At Yellow River
Cannon fire lingers in my mind
I'm so glad that I'm still alive
And I've been gone for such a long time
At Yellow River
I remember the nights were cool
I still can see the water pool
And I remember the girl that I knew
At Yellow River
Yellow River, Yellow River
Is in my mind and in my eyes
Yellow River, Yellow River
Is in my blood, it's the place I love
Got no time for explanations, got no time to lose
Tomorrow night you'll find me
sleeping underneath the moon
At Yellow River
Yellow River, Yellow River
Is in my mind and in my eyes
Yellow River, Yellow River
Is in my blood, it's the place I love
20 Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep (02:58)
Where's your mama gone? (Where's your mama gone?)
Little baby Don (Little Baby Don)
Where's your mama gone? (Where's your mama gone?)
Far, far away
Where's your papa gone? (Where's your papa gone?)
Little baby Don (Little baby Don)
Where's your papa gone? (Where's your papa gone?)
Far, far away
Far, far away
Last night, I heard my mama singing a song
Ooh-We, Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep
Woke up this morning and my mama was gone
Ooh-We, Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep
Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep, Chirp
Where's your mama gone? (Where's your mama gone?)
Little baby Don (Little Baby Don)
Where's your mama gone? (Where's your mama gone?)
Far, far away
Where's your papa gone? (Where's your papa gone?)
Little baby Don (Little baby Don)
Where's your papa gone? (Where's your papa gone?)
Far, far away
Far, far away
Last night, I heard my mama singing a song
Ooh-We, Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep
Woke up this morning and my mama was gone
Ooh-We, Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep
Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep, Chirp
Let's go now
Last night, I heard my mama singing a song
Ooh-We, Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep
Woke up this morning and my mama was gone
Ooh-We, Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep
Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep, Chirp
Altogether now
Last night, I heard my mama singing a song
Ooh-We, Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep
Woke up this morning and my mama was gone
Ooh-We, Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep
Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep, Chirp
One more time now
Last night, I heard my mama singing a song
Ooh-We, Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep
Woke up this morning and my mama was gone
Ooh-We, Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep
Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep, Chirp
Let me all sing it now
Last night, I heard my mama singing a song
Ooh-We, Chirpy, Chirpy, Cheep, Cheep
Woke up this morning and my mama was gone�
24 Soley Soley (03:06)
Just a little bit lonely
just a little bit sad
I was feeling so empty
until you came back
until you came back
until you came back.
Oh
Soley
Soley
Soley
Soley
Soley
Soley
Oh
Soley
Soley
Soley
ley
Soley
Soley
Soley
ley
Soley
Soley.
Just a little bit closer
can you lay by my side
can we get it together
lazing in the sand
lazing in the sand
lazing in the sand.
Oh
Soley
Soley...
35 Samson and Delilah (03:03)
Samson and Delilah
lived a long long time ago.
She was undecided
but man that hair just had to go.
Na na na na na...
On the Friday evening
things were going mighty fine
then he started sleeping
'cos she slipped something in the wine.
Na na na na na....
Ain't no glory in this fable
like the story Cane and Abel
Samson's gonna turn the table.
Samson had a feeling
that God would guide his feeble hand.
Man you should 've seen him
pushin' pillars from the stand.
Na na na na na.....
Ain't no glory in this fable
like the story Cane and Abel
Samson neatly turned the table.
Samson had a feeling
that God would guide his feeble hand.
Man you should have seen him
pushin' pillars from the stand.
Na na na na na...
Ain't no glory in this fable
Like the story Cane and Abel
Samson neatly turned the table.
Ain't no glory in this fable
Like the story Cane and Abel
Samson neatly turned the table.
39 Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum (03:13)
Do you recall
some years ago ?
Up in the mountains that were white with snow
inside a cavern
McDougal he was plannin'
there's gonna be a showdown with somebody he knows.
Well he's been there
a year or so
something will happen very soon I know
I hear him playin' his bagpipes every mornin'
I think that it's a warmin'
he's gathering the clan.
Soon you'll hear the sound of people shouting
you will see the claymores in their hands
if you knew the reason for their fighting
you would never understand.
Oh
Tweedle Dee
Oh Tweedle Dum.
The tune McDougal always used to hum
While he was fightin' his rival clan McGregor
Dishonour he would never
the tartan of his clan.
Do you recall
some years ago ?
Up in the mountains that were white with snow
inside a cavern
McDougal he was plannin'
there's gonna be a showdown with somebody he knows.
Soon you'll hear the sound of people shouting
you will see the claymores in their hands
if you knew the reason for their fighting
you would never understand.
Oh
Tweedle Dee
Oh Tweedle Dum.
The tune McDougal always used to hum
While he was fightin' his rival clan McGregor
Dishonour he would never
the tartan of his clan
40 Kailakee Kailakoo (02:54)
You say you're tired of TV Cartoons
Searchin' for taxis on wet afternoons
Telephones ringing and grey city streets
Sweet talking salesman in flashy boutiques
I think you're right and I want you to know
I've found a place where I think we should go
Ah Kailakee Kailakoo
An island near North Venezuela
On Kailakee Kailakoo
We'll spend the rest of our day
You'll do the fishing down by the shore
I'll build a home with a coconut floor
You'll find a parrot I'll teach it to speak
Tropical songbirds will sing you to sleep
Then when we think we're alone on this land
I'll find a footprint right there in the sand
Ah Kailakee Kailakoo
An island near North Venezuela
On Kailakee Kailakoo
we'll spend the rest of our day
Ah Kailakee Kailakoo
An island near North Venezuela
On Kailakee Kailakoo
We'll spend the rest of our day
When we get older we'll think of today
Laugh at the taxman who never got paid
Now that it's settled we'll call up our friends
Give them the things that we won't use again
I think you're right and I want you to know
I've found a place where I think we should go
Ah Kailakee Kailakoo
An island near North Venezuela
On Kailakee Kailakoo
We'll spend the rest of our day
Ah Kailakee Kailakoo
An island near North Venezuela
On Kailakee Kailakoo
We'll spend the rest of our day
Ah Kailakee Kailakoo
An island near North Venezuela
On Kailakee Kailakoo
We'll spend the rest of our day
Ah Kailakee Kailakoo
An island near North Venezuela . . . [continue to fade]
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