Lucio Battisti - Una Giornata Uggiosa

Numero Uno - LP
Italy, 1980
Balearic / Pop / Disco 

The last good Lucio Battisti LP, the last installment in what might be the greatest series of Italian pop recordings. Including balearic classics Perchè non sei una mela and Questo amore. 

If you ever heard my former Okonkole Y Trompa show on NTS, you may know that I have a thing for Lucio Battisti. I think I know all of the 19 LP he released and particularly love the series of record he recorded between 1974 and 1980, Una Giornata Uggiosa being, in my opinion, the last truly good album he made. Can't think of any good songs on the albums that followed. But the mid 1970's were particularly stellar times for the Mogol/Battisti duo, starting with Anima Latina, arguably the best italian pop album I ever heard, and finishing with this LP, Una Giornata Uggiosa, his Breakfast In America.

More electronic than the previous albums, Una Giornata Uggiosa is not good from start to finish, but it contains some patented balearic classics, departing from the classic disco sound of his previous balearic hits (Amarsi Un Po', Ancora Tu, Prendila Così). Questo Amore has a very singular motorik beat, reminding of Sun Palace's Rude Movements. It morphs into Perché Non Sei Una Mela, my favourite track on the LP, a breezy and light-hearted ballad. There are other good songs like Gelosa Cara and Con Il Nastro Rosa and the album is quite a dip into Italian 1980's optimism and dolce vita. Long time gone (VG+ / VG+)

Tracklist

1. Il Monocale
2. Arrivederci A Questa Sera
3. Gelosa Cara
4. Orgoglio E Dignità
5. Una Vita Vita
6. Amore Mio Di Provincia
7. Questo Amore
8. Perchè Non Sei Una Mela
9. Una Giornata Uggiosa
10. Con Il Nastro Rosa