Leave it to Mike Patton–a guy who once used hotel rooms to record 34 vocal-only tracks (1996’s rather terrifying Adult Themes For Voice)–to deliver a straight-faced collection of orchestral pop songs…in Italian. Mondo Cane (due out May 4 on Ipecac) is surprisingly satisfying stuff, a concert hall-ready tribute to such red gravy greats as Ennio Morricone, Gino Paoli and Fred Buscaglione. And if you’re more into Patton’s Faith No More/Mr. Bungle side, there’s always his rabid surf rock rendition of The Blackmen’s “Urlo Negro,” a ’60s song about civil rights.
“My purpose in revisiting these pieces is not to relive the past,” explains Patton, “not for nostalgia, but more to illustrate through modern and adventurous interpretation exactly how vital and important this music still is.â€
Fair enough. Check out a track listing after the jump, along with a priceless live video of Patton performing the album’s opener at the Paradiso in Amsterdam.
Mike Patton, Mondo Cane:
1. “Il Cielo In Una Stanza” by Gino Paoli
2. “Che Notte!” By Fred Buscaglione
3. “Ore D’Amore” by Fred Bongusto
4. “Deep Down” by Ennio Morricone
5. “Quello Che Conta” by Luigi Tenco
6. “Urlo Negro” by The Blackmen
7. “Scalinatella” by Enzo Bonagura
8. “L’Uomo Che Non Sapeva Amare” by Nico Fidenco
9. “20 KM Al Giorno” by Nicola Arigliano
10. “Ti Offro Da Bere” by Gianni Morandi
11. “Senza Fine” by Gino Paoli