CITTA VIOLENTA Ennio Morricone 1970 FUZZ psych LP HEAR

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64

I don’t know what’s stranger about the 1970 film “Citta Violenta” – its fuzz-filled Ennio Morricone soundtrack, or the fact that Jill Ireland marries Telly Savalas.  It’s a tough call, but in the end, it’s the soundtrack that leaves the more lasting impression, one of Ennio Morricone’s finest, and funkiest, offerings – and besides, I can kinda see Jill going for the whole lollipop thing.  To call this soundtrack simply “fuzz-filled” is like saying Alec Baldwin has anger issues – it doesn’t even begin to describe what’s going on.  Recorded in 1970, when the fuzz pedal was still the quickest way to a freak’s heart, Ennio laces his ecstatic go-go rhythms and deep funk grooves with so much of the stuff, you’ll need to take a lint brush over the surface of the album just to protect your stylus.

Song titles are in Italian, but there are no words, so the only language you need to know here is the language of funk.  “Svolte Definitiva” is the monster track, the perfect marriage of deep funk go-go rump-shaker rhythm and wild, echoed-out mega-fuzz licks.  Take a listen below, and hear what Davie Allen and the Arrows might’ve sounded like if they had Curtis Mayfield writing their songs.  By the time the Hammond organ starts trading solos with the fuzz guitar, over that steady deep fu nk groove, there ain’t a single part of your body that ain’t movin’.  This is Grade A prime psychedelic funk, and it’s from a little Italian man.  That Ennio Morricone…he’s a mean mother…shut yo’ mouth!

I’m talkin’ ‘bout Ennio Morricone, and the party continues on the crazed fuzz soul workout “Disperatamente.”  Ennio turns the fuzz up even louder, great swathes of discordant feedback layered on top of a constantly throbbing bed of tablas and deep rubbery Bootsy bass.  A soulful Stevie Winwood organ dances precariously around the riff to “I’m A Man”, while some crazed vocalist starts quoting from Pink Floyd’s “Pow R. Toc H.”  And that’s just weird. 

Ahh, but it gets weirder, my friends.  “Mille Volte Un Grido” starts with more of that piercing, amp-turned-to-11 distorted fuzz mayhem, which sets the stage for a few minutes of creepy, random haunted house noises, like Genesis’ “The Waiting Room” with a Zippy Caplan intro.  It’s what the Munsters theme song might’ve sounded like if Herman and Lily were Hell’s Angels.

Those looking for another “Fistful of Dollars” or “Once Upon a Time in the West” may be in for a bit of a shock – “Citta Violenta” is a much darker, grittier and trippier affair.  Drop the needle anywhere, and you’re more than likely going to be in the middle of a fierce fuzz lick and a grinding funk groove.  And if you aren’t lucky enough to be in between the liquored-up Olsen Twins on a Saturday night, that’s the next best place to be.

Original MEGA RARE Japanese pressing on the RCA label from 1970.  Great Bronson sleeve too!  Cover's in NEAR MINT shape, vinyl looks new, plays EXCELLENT.

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