We have followed the singer-songwriter and guitarist Francesco Forni for years, in particular in the folk-blues project shared with Ilaria Graziano, two albums published between 2012 and 2013. Together with the drummer Piero Monterisi, Francesco now inaugurates a new promising partnership, completed in the studio by the presence of Gabriele Lazzarotti, regular bassist at Propaganda Live and precious collaborator (like Monterisi) of the best names on the Roman circuit. The idea, born almost as a joke but soon transformed into a fun alternative for eclectic and trained musicians, is to merge the vintage rock-blues sound, perfected between the Sixties and Seventies, with some excellences matured at the turn of the millennium (White Stripes, Black Keys), with the aim of making the final result perceived as absolutely contemporary.
Mission perfectly accomplished, with the addition of a plus relevant, that of creating a characterizing narrative: the songs are presented by musician-clergymen, yes, you understood correctly, and the intent is particularly clear during the live performances of the Total Reverends, when both the basic duo-trio and any guests appear on stage with a stage name, wearing cassocks. Francesco Forni is Father Terno, Piero Monterisi is Monsignor Terisi and the lyrics are filled with religious references. But beyond the playful aspect, then there is the music and it gets serious: a profoundly “American” sound that can be powerful and aggressive (“Love Me”) or channel itself into ballad with an unmistakable Hendrix flavor (“As We Were Lovers”, for example, is their “Little Wing” with the addition of a refrain taken from the Gospel according to the Beatles).
Between priests, nuns, prayers and blessings, “Total Reverends” contains seven singles already released in recent months plus three new ones, including tightrope solos and a songwriting of excellent quality, made by keeping Jack White's holy card fixed on the bedside table. An album ennobled by the presence of numerous guests, many friends who make decisive contributions: the aforementioned Ilaria Graziano, Violante Placido, Rodrigo D'Erasmo, Roberto Angelini, for an album which thus becomes pleasantly choral. The Holy Mass finds its epilogue with the performance of – obviously – a rock-blues, “Uniforms”, freely taken from the book of the prophet George Harrison, a duet shared with Roberto Dell'Era, the perfect sparring partner to conclude the celebration. To never forget to sanctify every holiday.
01/31/2026
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM
