If you ask the Italian equivalent of a Word reader "who is Italy's greatest ever singer/songwriter?" 9out of 10 will answer Fabrizio De André.
A favourite of both David Byrne and Wim Wenders, his career reminds me a little of Paul Simon's in that he started as an acoustic folk singer/songwriter who went on to explore a wider palette with more 'ethnic' influences (in his case, Mediterranean). Like Simon he appeals to a very wide and pan-generational demographic. And like Simon he is noted as much for the profound poetry of his lyrics as the beauty of his songs.
The son of an anti-facist partisan, he became something of a controversial figure due to his criticism of the government and the Catholic church. He grew up in Genoa until his mid-twenties when he moved to the island of Sardinia for a more rural life. It was here that, incredibly, he and his future wife were kidnapped and held hostage for four months in 1979. He publicly forgave his kidnappers, famously stating that "they were the real prisoners, not I".
His most highly acclaimed album, Crêuza De Mä (trans. Path To The Sea) is sung entirely in his native Genoese dialect - which is unintelligible to most Italians. (An Italian translation of the lyrics is included in its sleeve.)
De André died of lung cancer, on 11 January 1999, aged 58. His funeral was attended by over 20,000 people.

Fabrizio De André - Crêuza De Mä

as I was on another thread, I'd just like to mention to anyone remotely interested that the app of The Waste Land (TS Eliot) is absolutely brilliant. The best non-music related app I've bought since acquiring an iPad. It features a copy of the original manuscript with Ezra Pound's handwritten edits, notes on the poem, recorded readings by Eliot, Ted Hughes, Alec Guinness and Viggo Mortensen, and, best of all, a fantastic reading/acting out of the poem on video by Fiona Shaw that really brings it to life in ways I'd never envisaged before.
Thoroughly recommended.

In many a past thread the Korg iMS-20 app has been recommended. And rightly so - it's fantastic fun. I also like Korg's iElectribe drum machine/synth (both the 'original' and The Gorillaz versions). Other than these, are there any other synth or drum machine apps (outside of garageband) that anyone would care to particularly recommend?

Like many of my male friends around my age (50) I sometimes get a bad back. I suspect it's a glitch in the evolution process that causes it. 5 years ago I took up swimming (5km every morn, athletic moi) and it pretty much got rid of any back probs. But a few days ago my back suddenly started hurting again. It's a nightmare. I can barely move. And bending over or sitting down takes about three hours. I know it'll go away again with a bit of rest, but nonetheless I 'd like to ask The Massive: has anyone found a really successful way of fighting back pains? Acupuncture? Physiotherapy? Massage? Heat treatment?

Have any of the Massive bought the Apogee Jam gizmo (to allow an electric guitar to be connected directly to an iPad)?
I bought one a few days ago and at first it worked fine, but since then all it ever gives me is the blue light ("connected but not ready"). Searching on the net it seems I'm not the only one with this problem.
Any solution, similar experience or other info regarding said gizmo would be appreciated.

Ok, I'm gonna slag off The Word here. I loathe the "Best And Worst" pages. They are childish and often stupid. Whoever writes them should be sacked.
Is it rude and disrespectful for me to write so on The Word website? Probably, but I don't care.
I've often taken exception to the ridiculous drivel I read there. (For example, Europe's 'The Final Countdown ' was praised as a "best" One Hit Wonder. Idiots!) But the "Best And Worst Film Directors" last month pissed me off more than any other article I've ever read in The Word. Why? Woody Allen filed under "Worst"! Unbelievable! SHOW SOME FUCKING RESPECT! You can bet when Woody dies The Word will print a respectful obit. HYPOCRITES! SHAME ON YOU GUYS!
Woody Allen continues to write and direct interesting, intelligent films every year. His body of work, as a writer/director, is greater than any other filmmaker I can think of.
SHOW SOME FUCKING RESPECT!

i'm drunk, I'm ranting, I apologise for boring you..

I can't copy/paste the link with my cheapo phone. But for anyone who hasn't read it may I recommend the article about Jimmy Carter on today's Guardian website? Inspirational.

I always look forward to the Word CD. They've introduced me to loads of great songs I wouldn't have heard otherwise. I still regularly play April 2010 (6 songs I love, with a special mention for Robyn Hitchcock's Ordinary Millionaire). And the one with both Brett Dennen's Darlin' Do Not Fear and The Pierces' Boring is still a regular on the car stereo. However my absolute favourite is Steve Pilgrim's Lover, Love Her (May 2008). Whenever I play it to anyone they always react positively. It's gorgeous. Anyone else got a particular favourite from a past Word CD?
(Apologies if this has already been discussed.)

I've long thought that if you want to know the answer to anything, your best bet is to ask The Massive. So what's it all about then? The best, most eloquent explanation of it all I've ever come across is by that Shakespeare lad (from Macbeth):

"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."

Although recently I was watching an interview with filmmaker Terence Davies and he quoted a poem by Ernest Dowson which I also thought summed things up nicely:

"They are not long, the weeping and the laughter,
Love and desire and hate:
I think they have no portion in us after
We pass the gate.

They are not long, the days of wine and roses:
Out of a misty dream
Our path emerges for a while, then closes
Within a dream."

Anyone got any better?

Oops- too late!

Are any members of the Massive rich enough to give me money? Only I fancy going out on a bender tonight but I'm skint. Ta.

For anyone who hasn't seen it, the "total eclipse of the heart literal video version" on youtube is pretty funny. I'd put it up here if I was cleverer, but go check it out.

As an ex-pat I've often wondered why it is that the little old British Isles continue to produce the best rock and pop on the planet, with only the USA as (2nd place) rivals and no other country coming close. Italy, where I've lived these past 30 years, is rubbish at it. Why are Britain and Ireland so damn good at it? Any thoughts?

I've always had a soft spot for reggae, but recently I've got more and more into it as I get a bit bored of hearing the same old rock (or rehashes thereof). It's a mid-life thingy.
Anyway, a lot of the good stuff gets regularly mentioned in mag articles and lists etc. (see list below*). But my favourite reggae album I've come across (and now one of my fave albums ever) is The Wailing Souls "Classic Cuts". A compilation of 12" mixes, each track starting off roots and ending up dub. It's such superb summer listening. Anyone else into it? Or would suggest summat else?

*All these I reckon are really good:

Bob Marley "Exodus" (natch)
The Mighty Diamonds "The Right Time"
Israel Vibration "The Same Song"
The Wailing Souls "Wild Suspense"
Culture "Two Sevens Clash"
The Abyssinians "Satta Massagana"
The Gladiators "Trenchtown Mix Up"
The Heptones "Party Time"
Burning Spear "Marcus Garvey"
The Congos "The Heart Of The Congos"
Bunny Wailer "Blackheart Man"
Max Romeo "War Ina Babylon"
Black Uhuru "The Dub Factor"
Lee Scratch Perry "Super Ape"

Unlike everyone else I can't stand Neil Young. The only song of his I love is "Little Wing" (from Hawks and Doves). None of my Neil Young worshiping friends seem to know it. Similar story with one of my fave Paul Simon songs, "Soft Parachutes". As a big Floyd fan I was glad to see David Gimour playing my fave Floyd track, "Wot's...Uh, The Deal" on a recent DVD, and "Fantastic Voyage" is the Bowie song I most often find myself singing. What lesser known tracks do you rave about, my dears?