“(Part 2) . . . The Mandolin’ Brothers play (very well) a delightful and genuine roots-rock which - with the inclusion of Bruno De Faveri’s mandolin and Riccardo Maccabruni’s accordion - was taken from the blues; a never forgotten genre with which the band from Voghera took its first steps thirty years ago. It was the singer, songwriter and harmonica player Jimmy Ragazzon along with the great guitarist Paolo Canevari to have founded the MB; then came the rhythm section of Joe Barreca and Daniele Negro and finally the folk component of the band. (cont.)”
—
Mauro Zambellini, Buscadero (Part 2)
“(Part 3) . . .After two albums in crescendo, For Real (2001) and the well-acclaimed (by critics and audiences) Still Got Dreams (2008), the MB reach their most convincing evidence yet translating into a contagious live euphoria all their musical journey with sixteen tracks that combine the early blues with songs of Still Got Dreams going through those cover songs which have moulded their rock and bluesmen hearts; or rather - the inspired medley of Dark Was The Night / You Got To Move by Blind Willie Johnson / Fred Mc Dowell and then the touching Almost Cut My Hair by David Crosby, the buzzing Copperhead Road by Steve Earle made even more Celtic-rock than the original and the bursting final of Iko Iko, Dixie Chicken and Troubles No More - a demonstration of how much of New Orleans and Little Feat is in their blood.
(cont.)”
—
Mauro Zambelliini, Buscadero (Part 3)
“(Part 4) . . . But beyond the cover songs, never executed in a standard fashion but rather personalized by a bubbly feeling and a skilful search for arrangement, it is the original songs written by Jimmy boy, Paolo Canevari and De Faveri which determine how certain sounds are embedded in the band’s DNA and how the Mandolins are totally at ease in handling such matter by writing and playing songs that could very well belong to some mature bar boogie band from the overseas. The many awards won by the MB are therefore understood, as it is the reason they won the International Blues Challenge in 2009 and the fact that they will be representing Italy in Memphis in January next year. (cont.)”
—
Mauro Zambellini, Buscadero (Part 4)
“(Part 5) . . . Clean sounds even when it is the vehemence of execution to drag 30 Lives!, perfect balance between the parties with only one distraction too many in the classical piano at the end of Iko Iko, a thorough measure of tempos and songs like Bombay Skyline, Midnite Plane and Saigon that transpose old travel experience in the on the road diary fashion; the MB show character in that art of street music learned from their legends and their dreams. (cont.)”
—
Mauro Zambellini, Buscadero (Part 5)
“(Part 6) ...It is no coincidence that their "manifesto" song carries the title of Still Got Dreams, a dragging rock of Springsteenerian romanticism invigorated by an organ a la Federici, which brings upon a remarkable ability to write beyond the models that inspired them. Models filtered by their personalities and by their thirty years of work on the stages of the Italian province (and beyond) which remain indelible as signature of their passions. So, Went To See The Poet does not hide its love for Dylan, Bombay Skyline for Lowell George, Stompin’ Blues for Ry Cooder, Long Time Ago for The Byrds in the psychedelic-raga-like flavour while in others songs the accordion evokes the Mexican cellars and the slide shakes the Mississippi mud. (cont.)”
—
Mauro Zambellini, Buscadero (Part 6)
“(Part 7)...
Derivatives, and is not an insult, but also classy as in the beautiful dialogue between the accordion and the slide in Carton Box and in the gleaming country-rock of Saigon where the piano- virtuosity of Maccabruni and excellent guitars of good Paolo Canevari don’t pass unobserved-the two that are a bit the heart of the sound of the group. 30 Lives! has the features of a live that is worthy of respect, that is, entertainment, ballads, right covers and the rock’n’roll beat; moreover, the Mandolin’ Brothers prove also that they could be a worthy branch of American music in Italy. (end)
”
—
Mauro Zambellini, "Buscadero" - Italian Monthly Music Magazine ( Part 7 - end)
“(Part 1) "Celebrating the thirtieth anniversary with a live album and a great desire of America When they started three decades ago, they would have been happy to survive for few seasons, to satisfy a whim taking a handful of applauses and take home a suitcase full of dreams. Instead, here they are, still here, alive more than ever with many dreams that came true (they’ve also gone to play in Memphis, Graceland and Beale Street included, imagine that!); behind them a wonderfull job as Still Got Dreams and now a live that summarizes their history and their influences: blues, country, rock and more - but always signed America, the one of their heroes which, with a bit of provincialism, they try to emulate...(cont.)"
”
—
Roberto Caselli, "Jam" - Italian music Magazine (article Part 1)
“(Part 2). . . They’ve learned to play and play well when they hit hard on pieces of Muddy Walters, Blind Willie Johnson, David Crosby or Steve Earle, and when venture into their own compositions (must mention at least Midnite Plane, Scarlet, and by now classic Still Got Dreams). One could very well wonder about how many young people have the Mandolin’ Brothers brought near to this wonderful music during their concerts, and this alone would already constitute an enormous merit, but it should also be taken into consideration the obstinacy and passion that led them to become a professional band able to compose and play at a good level. Listen well to this 30 Lives! and enjoy an overview of an entire musical world, the very world that from the mid 60’s onwards has given so much freshness and an extraordinary sense of freedom. (end)
”
—
Roberto Caselli, "Jam" - Italian Music Magazine (arrticle Part 2)
“The Mandolin’ Brothers are one of the best Italian roots bands. I believe that there are little doubts about this. Considering that, as in this case, the opportunity to trot them out is such an important anniversary can’t but further please to ascertain that the passion and friendship that have been animating the band (founded by Jimmy Ragazzon and Paolo Canevari) for thirty years - and I repeat, thirty - keeps on growing as the seasons go by. "30 Lives!" is a live album, recorded in two evenings of April at Spazio Musica, Pavia. It’s a heartfelt and warm embrace of the band to those who have been following them for all this time; among their own tracks, you’ll find covers of David Crosby, Steve Earle, Blind Willie Johnson and McKinley Morganfield - including rock, country, blues, and lots and lots of feeling.
To the next thirty!
”
—
Lorenzo Pioppi, RockRilla Italian Music Magazine
