Broxton Comment-MB-001-2

LA VOGLIA MATTA [CRAZY DESIRE] (1962)

La Vogilia Matta, also known as Crazy Desire, is another Italian comedy, also directed by Lucio Salce and again starring Udo Tognazzi. In this film Tognazzi plays Antonio Berlinghieri, a middle-aged and rather stuffy businessmen, who is newly divorced, and on a road trip to ‘clear his head’ and ‘put his life back together’. During the journey he encounters a gang of cool teenagers on their summer vacation, and unexpectedly finds himself falling for Francesca (played by director Salce’s regular muse Catherine Spaak), a flirtatious girl who would appear to be his exact opposite.

The main theme, “Sole e Sogni,” is a warm, inviting, summery jazz piece for solo harp, stand-up bass, and brushed cymbals. There’s a gently beguiling and lyrical flute solo that speaks of innocent love, and a dreamy wordless vocal that hints at something slightly more erotic.

Unfortunately only ten minutes of score music from this soundtrack have ever been released, on a vinyl EP back in 1964, making it one of the most little-known works of Morricone’s early career, although the film did feature two pop singles which Morricone co-wrote: “La Tua Stagione” by Tony del Monaco, and “Viva Il Jump Up” by I Flippers. Morricone’s main theme spawned at least four popular instrumental hits in Italy – “Sassi,” “Maschere,” “un Filo,” and “Polvere di Niente,” which were re-recorded by popular bandleaders Giampiero Riverberi and Piero Gosio. “Sole e Sogni” can be found on the comprehensive 15-CD compilation Ennio Morricone: The Complete Edition, released by GDM Music in 2008.

Track Listing: 1. Sole e Sogni (2:30), 2. Desiderio di Te (2:32), 3. Agosto Jazz (2:14), 4. Miraggio Africano (2:42). CAM Records CEP-4520, 9 minutes 58 seconds.