Fabrizio De Andrè - Fabrizio De Andrè (1987)

This is yet another compilation of the singles Fabrizio De André cut for the Karim label between 1960 and 1966, before switching to a major label for his first long-player. Most of these songs would reappear in newly recorded versions scattered through the early De André studio albums, and it is usually these later versions that are regarded as definitive. Even if the album versions are better, the Karim material is essential, as it features the original incarnations of some of the most important songs De André ever wrote, including his signature songs "La Canzone di Marinella" and "La Guerra di Piero," among many others. Furthermore, several of the Karim songs never made it into the studio albums and became the most sought-after rarities of the De André catalog. Eventually, all of this material resurfaced in compilations issued by different companies over the years. Of the CD editions, Philips' 1991 Il Viaggio remains the first choice, since it is the only one that includes every one of the 18 A- and B-sides De André made for Karim. Fabrizio De André has the advantage of being a budget release, and is fairly complete at that, but it still misses "Delitto de Paese" (later available in a superior version on the 1974 LP Canzoni) and especially the superb Italian version of the English traditional "Geordie," made famous by Joan Baez.