This is exactly the kind of musical curiosity that I always loved - the very first official recording of a young artist before he or she achieved success and fame.
It is a 1959 EP recorded by 18 year old Italian songbird, probably just around the time she participated in a contest for "new voices" and was named a winner above huge competition. On four songs here, young Maria Ilva Biolcati sings with authority and drama quite unexpected for such young person - I'm sure she must have some very good vocal training because this is pure "Bel Canto" projection, voice effortlessly holding long notes and every word carefully pronounced. What is specially interesting is a backing - small, jazzy combo quite different from what she was doing later in life, there is almost Django Reinhardt guitar on "Le Rififi" (move theme) and the whole atmosphere is of a smokey late night bar. This 18 year old kid whizzes self-assuredly trough covers of "Volare" and - the best of all - "Vivro" ("My Prayer" by "The Platters") like someone dead set on a winning the Olympic games. The voice is sweetly young but already recognizable with that particular, individual quality that stands out and promises a great singer. Very soon she will sign with " Cetra Records", get on San Remo stage and rise to the top of her profession nationally and beyond. Quite amazing little forgotten recording that shows embryo of fantastic talent.
Interesting notes on back cover shortly describe this newcomer as being 18 years old, having nice presence, polite behavior and formidable voice.
EP cover is a very stylized picture of a sexy, vampy singer and - though this kid surely was nowhere near looking like this painting - its funny how later in life she closely modeled herself on vamp image. Which in my opinion was completely unnecessary, as she always possessed one of the best voices around but hey, I guess Italians love their women sexy.
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