Adriano Celentano's I Miei Americani Tre Puntini, Vol. 2 is a very bizarre album from an American point of view. First of all, the point of the album is to pay tribute to American songwriters. This is a nice gesture on Celentano's part, but things go a little sideways when two of the songs are by the Beatles, a band that more people associate with Britain than any other. And the arrangements are quite unusual, blending goofy keyboards, sensual female backup singers, and his own theatrical bravado that makes this as listenable as it is. His cover of "Sixteen Tons" sounds like Leonard Cohen filtered through Gianni Morandi, while the two Beatles songs are filled with rich, campy goodness. It is very hard to tell if this compilation was put together seriously or with tongue in cheek, even the front cover could easily be a joke if looked at that way. Either way, this is a very engaging listen that is either a humorous tribute to American songs or an enjoyably pompous collection of recognizable songs.
© Bradley Torreano /TiVo