Oltre l'universo
By Laredo
Label: Buena Suerte s.a.s.
Reviewed: February, 2012
Last summer, I had the privilege of interviewing the late Dan Peek, founding (and former) member of the group, America, and writer of many of their biggest selling songs. In that interview, he mentioned a band from Italy who had contacted him and asked him for his help in connecting with his former band mates. The band’s name is Laredo and Dan spoke very highly of them and really wished that Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley would give those guys a listen.
Dan Peek passed away in his sleep right after that interview took place. He died without having any success in helping his friends in Laredo.
Fast forward to late last month.
I was very pleasantly surprised by an e-mail from the Laredo band mates, introducing themselves and telling me that they’re latest CD, Oltre L’Universo (“Beyond The Universe”), was dedicated to the man who had tried to help them and who, in fact, inspired them with his music: Dan Peek. They were kind enough to send me a copy of Oltre L’Universo. I like it. A LOT. So it pleases me to do my part in helping Laredo by sharing this review of their latest CD and encourage you to download a copy of it.
The opening track, Non Ti Libererai (“There You Will Be Free”) gives the listener the feeling that they are driving down Interstate 40 at dusk in the New Mexico desert. Very “America” sounding but with Laredo’s on signature sound dominating it.
Benvenuto In America (“Welcome In America”) is a great country rocker with great guitar work and the tight signature harmonies that Laredo is, no doubt, known for in Italy and will be known for in the U.S.
I absolutely love the acoustic guitar work of Che Baci Amore (“What Love Kisses”) Soothing, mellow and harmonic, it will set the tone of what an Italian country rock love song should sound like.
Un Posto Per Me (“A Place For Me”) is a very unique, trippy tune that sounds like what you might get if you blend Eagles with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with some great Dick Dale guitar riffs threading through the tune. I’ve hit the repeat button a few times on this one. I would label this tune a definite Boomerocity favorite.
The album’s title tune is, by far, the most beautiful cut off of the album. Definitely laden with a West Coast sound, this song is what you might get if were to mix Eagles, Jefferson Starship and Journey with Laredo spice mixed in. Another Boomerocity favorite, this tune is.
The remaining five tunes on Oltre L’Universo are all worthy of countless hits of the repeat button, too. The guys of Laredo have a beautiful sound that needs to be heard here in the United States. In fact, I would go as far as to say that I think one of the U.S. country labels would do very well by picking up the rights for this album and promote the heck out of this band. But that’s just me.
If you like the sounds of America or the West Coast sound of Eagles, then I think that you would really love Laredo and their new CD, Oltre L’Universo.
Did I just hear Dan Peek say, “I told you that you would like them!”?
Written by Randy Patterson
All rights reserved. Permission for use may be obtained by contacting
