Here is a short clip of legendary singer Donovan speaking of his songs and music for Franco Zefferilli's 'Brother Sun, Sister Moon', 1972. The interview was a few months ago. It doesn't exactly address whether or not those songs will ever be released, however. Still, it's an interesting interview.
I've always preferred the Ortolani songs/score for this film and it's always confused me because the music in this trailer all sounds like his work and not Donovan's.
I've always preferred the Ortolani songs/score for this film and it's always confused me because the music in this trailer all sounds like his work and not Donovan's.
James
Hi James, how 'ya dooo'n! You know, I had that 'fold-out' album of Ortolani's back sometime in the late 70's or early 80's. It had a ligt blue cover with an image near the bottom if I recall. It's been decades since I've heard it or even had a turntable, but that music was quite nice too. Just, no songs that I remember; certainly not the Donovan Songs. Did it have Italian songs?
I've always preferred the Ortolani songs/score for this film and it's always confused me because the music in this trailer all sounds like his work and not Donovan's.
James
Hi James, how 'ya dooo'n! You know, I had that 'fold-out' album of Ortolani's back sometime in the late 70's or early 80's. It had a ligt blue cover with an image near the bottom if I recall. It's been decades since I've heard it or even had a turntable, but that music was quite nice too. Just, no songs that I remember; certainly not the Donovan Songs. Did it have Italian songs?
Hi Dave, my friend!
I have that Italian LP. I had a friend transfer it to CD for me. I also have the re-recording that was done for CD.
One of the songs on this is credited to Donovan but it has Italian lyrics and it's not the main theme. This has always confused me because the main theme on the LP is credited to Ortolani but I think it's the same one that Donovan wrote.
I have that double fold Italian LP of "Fratello Sole Sorella Luna" and it does indeed have songs on it. They are all in Italian however, and only one of them is credited to Donovan (along with "Benjamin"): "Canzone di San Damiano". This same song appears in the English version but with English lyrics and sung by Donovan. It's the canon or round that is sung during the building and repair of the chapel (if I remember correctly). The other two songs are credited to Ortolani-Benjamin. The title song has the same tune as Donovan's in the English version, so I assume he only wrote the lyrics. I don't think the other song ("Preghiera semplice")appears in the English version at all and I guess was replaced by one of the Donovan songs. I don't have a copy of the film, but if memory serves there were at least three other songs by Donovan in the English version that do not appear on the LP (nor the Italian version of the film, I assume). This film is ripe for a Criterion release with both versions of the film (and isolated scores would be nice , if highly unlikely). Donovan has released a CD of all the songs he wrote for the film (including unused ones) BUT they are not film versions with chorus and orchestra. Just simple vocal and guitar.
One of the songs on this is credited to Donovan but it has Italian lyrics and it's not the main theme. This has always confused me because the main theme on the LP is credited to Ortolani but I think it's the same one that Donovan wrote.
The main theme FRATELLO SOLE, SORELLA LUNA is in fact based on a medieval chant from the 13th century with the title "Sia laudato San Francesco". There are various versions of this medieval tune. Here for example one:
Stefan, any chance for this superb Ortolani score to be reissued soon in your opinion? I indeed didn't buy the previous CD and have therefore only one excerpt on the double anthology THE GENIUS OF RIZ ORTOLANI. I therefore cross my fingers…
The English version with Donovan songs is among the most desired soundtracks still not available. The DVD being only lawful medium to listen to it. Donovan released the solo acoustic versions (were available in I-Tunes) but somehow miss the mark . The Ortolani score/ songs are not that great IMHO, as compared with Ken Thorne /Donovan's version for English speaking countries.
Stefan, any chance for this superb Ortolani score to be reissued soon in your opinion? I indeed didn't buy the previous CD and have therefore only one excerpt on the double anthology THE GENIUS OF RIZ ORTOLANI.
However, all of the really nice songs sung by Claudio Baglioni can only be found on the old Paramount fold-out LP and not on the Italian CDs. Therefore I have that LP as well as the Ricordi CD.
Stefan, any chance for this superb Ortolani score to be reissued soon in your opinion? I indeed didn't buy the previous CD and have therefore only one excerpt on the double anthology THE GENIUS OF RIZ ORTOLANI.
However, all of the really nice songs sung by Claudio Baglioni can only be found on the old Paramount fold-out LP and not on the Italian CDs. Therefore I have that LP as well as the Ricordi CD.
Indeed, there is a bit of a mess with all these different LP and CD releses of the Ortolani score. I myself have the Ricordi CD from 1989 with 12 tracks. The vocal version of the main theme there (track 8) is sung by Ortolani´s wife Katyna Ranieri - this version had already been on the 1980 Orizzonte LP reissue of FRATELLO SOLE - whereas on the former Paramount LP from 1972 it had been sung by Claudio Baglioni. As I see now for their second CD from 2000 Ricordi then replaced the Ranieri version again with the old Baglioni one. And they also added the Baglioni song "Preghiera semplice" (track 4 on that second Ricordi CD release) which had been formerly only on the Paramount LP. What is still missing is the Baglioni song "Canzone di San Damiano" which had been composed by Donovan and which was track A 5 on the Paramount LP. On the other hand, the Sony CD from 2011 seems to be identical again with the first Ricordi CD from 1989.
Indeed, there is a bit of a mess with all these different LP and CD releses of the Ortolani score. I myself have the Ricordi CD from 1989 with 12 tracks. The vocal version of the main theme there (track 8) is sung by Ortolani´s wife Katyna Ranieri - this version had already been on the 1980 Orizzonte LP reissue of FRATELLO SOLE - whereas on the former Paramount LP from 1972 it had been sung by Claudio Baglioni. As I see now for their second CD from 2000 Ricordi then replaced the Ranieri version again with the old Baglioni one. And they also added the Baglioni song "Preghiera semplice" (track 4 on that second Ricordi CD release) which had been formerly only on the Paramount LP. What is still missing is the Baglioni song "Canzone di San Damiano" which had been composed by Donovan and which was track A 5 on the Paramount LP. On the other hand, the Sony CD from 2011 seems to be identical again with the first Ricordi CD from 1989.
Stefan,
Thanks for your input. You're always so helpful and knowledgeable about these things.
Thanks for this James. Everything sounds so much 'better' in Italian! This song in Italian is gorgeous.
Dave,
If you still have my e-mail, drop me a line. I'd love to catch up. It's been far too long.
James
I just went through the alphabet on my computer's address book, NOPE, nada. I found Tall Guy, DavidinBerkeley,and a handful of others, but not yours. The computer I'm currently using is about 5 or 6 generations away from our last meeting in Midtown Manhattan. Stand by...I've got an idea that will preserve our privacy. (like were talking in private right now, right?) Wait a day or so, see if something arrives.
