In June of 2006, Blue Rodeo played a show in the heart of the Tuscany region of Italy.  Most of the guys used this as a reason for a leisurely summer vacation.  I, of course, used this show as a springboard for a week's worth of solo gigs.

I hooked up with Andrea, an Italian promoter with a soft spot for Canadian music (who knew?).  He had already booked tours for Luke Doucet, Carolyn Mark and N. Q. Arbuckle so I fit in easily to his Canadian roster. 

I was based out of Como, the northern resort town in the Lombard region that is home to Donatella Versace and George Clooney.  For the record, neither of them came out to my shows although I am still angling for a house party with George.

I played a week of shows in small towns and it was one of the best solo tours of my life.  I came home with a deep impression of Italian culture that months later still leaves me with a warm feeling and a smile.  Here are my memories of Italy in 2006.

FASHION

Plaid, my old fashion standby was nowhere to be found.  In fact, the Italians wore everything but plaid.  From the scarves to the shoes to the accessories to the colors and styles, Italians can wear anything and make it look good (and sexy).  A man in red pants in Italy can look masculine and hip.  I imagine if I tried that in Kitchener the results would not be so positive.

FOOD

I am a notoriously finicky eater who sticks to a pretty strict regimen of low carb health foods when at home.  Forget all that in Italy.  I was treated to ham, eleven different ways.  The high mark of ham being a delicacy of marinated ham fat, a century old tradition.  It is call Lardo and it is from the town of Colina.  If the words Lardo and Colina remind you of the words Lard and Colon you are getting the right idea.  This stuff makes Maple Leaf bacon look like an organic soy product.  Sure was tasty though........

Carbs?  They eat them - pizza served with bread and cheese, pasta served with bread and cheese, rice served with bread and cheese, ham served with bread and cheese.  And of course, wine served with every lunch and dinner.

I felt guilty indulging but when in Italy.........  And it is hard to argue when you see how fit and happy the Italians appear.

I was also open to new culinary experiences and discovered the joys of gelato, Italian ice.  My zealousness led to numerous brain freezes while dizzily ping-ponging through cobblestone laneways and plazas.

Coffee?  No one does it better than the Italians.  Unable to order my usual grande, half-decaf, extra hot, soy latte I rediscovered the art of the Italian coffee experience.  The choice was simple - espresso or cappuccino.  No "to go" or "take away" cups, no double-doubles, no lids or cardboard sleeves and nobody walking in the streets clutching a coffee beverage.  Why?  Coffee in Italy is made to be consumed standing at a stainless steel counter shoulder to shoulder with your fellow citizens arguing about the latest soccer match. Or it is made to be enjoyed sitting at an outdoor table watching the most fashionable people on earth drifting by against the backdrop of century old architecture.  I adapted quickly.

FAMILY

Many of my accommodations on this tour were in the homes of promoters.  I would enter these homes in the dark at 3am after the show and wake at noon to three or four generations of family eating a midday lunch of gnocchi and intestines prepared with grandma's special mayonnaise sauce, and of course wine, bread and cheese. 

It was a fantastic gathering but at times I did miss my solitary mornings with my porridge and the Toronto Star.

It was quite common for several generations to live under the same roof and no one I spoke with would ever consider placing an aging relative in a nursing home.  I noticed this lack of ageism at my shows and at social gatherings as well, the elderly were always well integrated with the younger people.  And everywhere I looked I saw grandparents caring for babies and children.

PASSION

The Italians exude passion in just about everything they do.  From conversation to architecture to music to fashion to food, they seemed to embrace (and create) the essence and passion of each moment.  Often I overheard what I thought was an argument only to learn it was simply a discussion of the weather.

Complete strangers will say goodbye to you with an embrace and kiss on both cheeks.  They will beg you to return and when you can relax and visit more.  They will bring their parents and children to sit and have a meal with you and ask you questions about your well-being.  They will insist you eat more, drink more, visit more, sing more and laugh more.  Every interaction was turned into a moment to savoir and remember.

CONCLUSION

As you can imagine I enjoyed this tour thoroughly.  The immersion into Italian culture for two weeks re-opened my mind to other ways of living and it re-kindled my love for the Italian people.

And it reminded me once again of one of the reasons I became a musician - to see the world and experience what it has to offer.

POSTSCRIPT

My solo shows went well.  I got a lot of press and got to know many of the players in the music business.  I also signed a deal to release my new record in Italy and am currently booking my tour there for November.  Look for more Italian stories then.

Bob Egan
August 2006