Francesco De Gregori - Left & Right (2010)

Ever since the '90s, De Gregori started to record rather sporadically but released a seemingly endless string of live albums. Typically, these live compilations would include a selection of his classics, plus two or three new songs to boost the album's sales. Indeed, the biggest hits De Gregori has had in the past 15 years all belong to this category, notably "Il Bandito e il Campione" and "La Valigia dell'attore." For Left and Right, his ninth live album since 1990, De Gregori tries a different approach. No new songs this time, and only three of the twelve selections come from the golden years, 1975-1985. The rest is devoted to his most recent releases, including the two songs mentioned above. In addition, Left and Right comes with a DVD that features a somewhat different set list. Most importantly, each number alternates with snippets of a long interview by Renato Nicolini in which De Gregori discusses his entire career. Since the Roman songwriter has a reputation for being notoriously press-shy, the interview is a real gift for De Gregori fans, and consequently this release's main attraction. As for the live CD, De Gregori and his band are in fine and definitely rocking form, as they march through material mostly from Pezzi and Prendere e Lasciare, as well as a curious, stomping version of "Buonanotte Fiorellino."