from the "Cover Corner" section of "BEATLES Unlimited Magazine" #155 (feb/mar 2001)


STEFANO CERRI
FAB FOUR-STRING
(IT) Compingo CCD9904 (1999)
22 tracks / 50:53 / 8-page booklet

This CD is regarded as a unique solo outing of one of Italy's most respected bass-players, the late Stefano Cerri. And after a few listening rounds, I can fully agree with that. His virtuous performances, recorded straight on hard disc and without bass overdubs, may be viewed as highly competent: performing full Beatles compositions with an instrument we usually associate with being part of the rhythm backbone in a band. The selected songs are taken from various phases of the Beatles career (including songs like Mother Nature's Son, I'm Only Sleeping, The Night Before and You Never Give Me Your Money). The CD has two different settings taking turns: one track, performed on bass-guitar alone, is always followed by another track which has the bass with additional instruments such as acoustic piano, vibraphone, strings and exotic ones, the tabla and a few Sicilian instruments. On the solo bass tracks the original melody is followed, but with the bass playing lead and backing in one go! On the tracks with guest appearances of other instruments you can hear Cerri taking turns with the other musicians in playing lead or backing (strings, ciaramedda and chalumeau). Otherwise, the guests improvise with a jazz-styled counter-melody (piano and vibraphone) or play a special catching rhythm (tabla). Exciting as the bass-guitar solo part already is, all these added features surely uplift the listening experience of the disc even more.

Saint Rock, s.r.l., Via San Rocco 8, 20135 Milano, MI, Italy
Website: www.saintrock.com E-mail: beatles@saintrock.com

Tom Weel



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