CSI: The Journey is Over

The journey is over. From Montesole to Catania. A round trip home, via the Gothic Line, which runs as far as the electrified Tabula Rasa. It was meant to be a reunion, and so it was for CSI (Consorzio Suonatori Indipendenti), the band that, over several dates from the north to the south of Italia, dusted off their own ‘musical heritage’, as well as that of CCCP. Hence the choice of the first two concerts at the end of August, with the stop at Monte Sole in Marzabotto to resume a journey interrupted almost a quarter of a century ago. It was here, where 25 years ago the band – born out of ‘an evolution of the CCCP, faithful to the original vision’ and on the verge of breaking up – dedicated a concert to Giuseppe Dossetti, a Catholic anti-fascist, that this new chapter began. Seven dates across Montesole, Villafranca, Fasano, Spello, Alba and Catania, during which Giovanni Lindo Ferretti, Massimo Zamboni, Gianni Maroccolo, Ginevra Di Marco, Giorgio Canali and Francesco Magnelli have rekindled the common thread of that journey that began in the 1990s and which brings together rock and punk, mysticism and harmony, intimacy and resistance.

No frills for a show – like the one at Montesole in Catania – where music took centre stage, staying true to a tradition in which the stage featured only the music and the lyrics of the songs. The vocals of Giovanni Lindo and Ginevra di Marco, the guitars of Giorgio Canali and Massimo Zamboni, the keyboards of Francesco Magnelli, the bass of Gianni Maroccolo and the drums of Simone Filippi brought the concert to life. There was also room for tributes, such as ‘Noi non ci saremo’, dedicated to Francesco Guccini, performed today just as CSI did back in the 1990s.

And in Montesole, “In viaggio” kicked off the show against the backdrop of the Consorzio, with Ferretti’s voice beautifully complemented by that of Ginevra di Marco. Then came ‘Inquieto’ and ‘Cupe Vampe’, which take us back to the years when Sarajevo was under attack and wounded, with books being burnt – a story recounted in ‘Linea Gotica’. The show builds to a crescendo, unfolding with ‘Bolormaa’ and ‘Blu’. It then explodes with the energy of *Forza e sostanza* and that chorus – “I want what’s rightfully mine” – which everyone sings along to. Intensity and passion with *Brace* and the reinterpretation of *i>E ti vengo a cercare* by Franco Battiato. There’s also room for what has been described as the most irreverent track, M’importa na sega. And then Buon Anno ragazzi. And a circle that closes, just like the final concert in Catania. Where the journey ended. For now.