We were in Poland on Monday, but we have traveled in a south-westerly direction to Italy - specifically Naples, where we find two men called Francesco, or Franco for short. Although both of them are locals they have surnames that suggest they are from elsewhere in Italy, Romano and Calabrese. It is most confusing.
Back in the mid 1960s they decided to form a singing duo by the name of Franco IV e Franco I. I don't know which Franco was which or what happened to Francos II and III, if they ever existed. Again, it is most confusing.
Anyway they had a big hit in 1968 with "Ho Scritto T'Amo Sulla Sabbia" ("I Wrote I Love You In The Sand"), after which they made a few more records before Franco R gave it all up to study the science of radiation protection. Here are two of the few more, both from 1970.
"Appuntamento Ore 9" - Franco IV e Franco I
"Oggi è Nato Il Redentor" - Franco IV e Franco I
And with that it is time to say goodnight to Napoli.
The vocal approach in "Appuntamento ore 9" remind me Lucio Battisti. Another coincidence is the date: 1968/1970. While "los Francos" release this song Battisi release "Emozioni", probably one of the best "canzone italiana" albums of ever. In both cases the sound and the arrangements of the background band in my opinion it was disruptive in the italian 70th pop contest.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Thanks. I shall have to investigate Signor Battisti
Delete