So weird how certain sports (i.e., soccer) can be played so passionately all over the world but yet barely register in the U.S. The same is true for singers.
If you’re American, the name Paolo Nutini probably means nothing to you. But this 35 year-old blues/soul/pop singer from Paisley, Scotland, whose grandparents emigrated from Barga, Tuscany, just released his fourth CD over a week ago. And predictably, within a week, it quickly knocked Harry Styles down to #2 and Adele to #3 on the UK music charts.
The remarkable thing is that Nutini releases CD’s spottily; his last one, Caustic Love, came out in 2014. Whether a brilliant marketing move, or a reflection of his shy demeanor, innate distrust of fame, and a desire to be close to his family (perhaps all four), it has solidified Nutini as a musical force in Europe and, increasingly, the world.
But in the U.S.? Crickets. And I don’t mean the famous lawn sport.
It’s a shame, as critics and audiences agree that Nutini has one of those unique, once-in-a-lifetime voices that seem to be divinely inspired. The late Amy Winehouse also had one of those voices; in fact, Nutini once opened for her and has, in some circles, been called the “male Amy Winehouse.”
Ms. Winehouse also had drug addiction issues which led to her early death. So far, Nutini cops to cannabis smoking and a wee bit o’ whiskey after a long concert – the latter no doubt from the Scots side of his family, just as his Renaissance-inspired profile is an homage to his Italian side.
But it’s clear in interviews that Nutini’s familial closeness, and his Italian pride, is what keeps him grounded.
Speaking of which: The Barga-Scotland connection is a quite fascinating one. It began over 100 years ago when Italian immigrants from the well-known medieval hill-town emigrated to Paisley and other Scottish towns for job opportunities. It kicked off a mutual admiration society of sorts, with native Scots now making Barga their second home. To this day, streets in Barga have kilt shops right next door to a pasticceria.
And behind every great Italian singer, there’s usually an Italian nonno – in Nutini’s case, his late grandfather Giovanni “Jackie” Nutini, who started the family’s fish & chips shop when he emigrated nearly a century ago. But like any typical Italian male, Jackie was multi-faceted; he taught his grandson wood-working skills and, more importantly, a deep appreciation of good music, from American soul to Italian opera. This influence is what has kept Nutini close to his Italian/Barga roots, even singing popular Italian songs (such as Guarda Che Luna and Caruso) within his English-speaking song sets.
(Note: The Canadian singer Michael Buble likewise credits his grandfather Demetrio, an immigrant from Venice, with encouraging his love of music.)
As I type this, Nutini is currently touring in Italy, where, naturally, he is treated like a second son. He tours the rest of Europe shortly thereafter.
Below is a link of Nutini singing the main song from his 2014 CD Caustic Love. It’s called “Iron Sky,” and it has suddenly becoming a “thing” on YouTube. Voice coaches, fellow singers, and regular folk watch the video and react to it in real-time. Their reactions range from widened eyes and full smiles to reams of praise and wordless, awe-inspired tears.
What they’re seeing is something the Italians have in droves, regardless of their skill set: passion. -BDC
I am reminded too of a lady who gave a lecture at our festa (this year Aug 20 & 21) on a book she wrote about her family during WW II. I don’t recall the title,… but this article reminded me of it…..it seems the same thing happened in Scotland as in the USA, but much more restrictive, to the Italian Scottish community during the war, They were interned and their property, and stores several Fish and Chip shops were confiscated or had to be transferred to Scottish families in the case of marriage and all..evidently there was a vibrant post-war Italian Scottish community..The lady’s talk was fascinating, brogue and all…. .
It happened in Canada, too. Their government even funded a full documentary on the subject, something the IIA fought for when the internment issue in the US was finally addressed in Congressional hearings in 1999. Alas, as usual, our community fizzled.
BTW: Here are more Scots-Italians: singer Lewis Capaldi and actor Peter Capaldi (second cousins), race-car driver Dario Franchitti, and screenwriter Armando Ianucci.