La buona novella

Fabrizio De André's 'La buona novella' is a concept album drawn from apocryphal gospels, focusing on the human and terrestrial aspects of biblical figures like Mary, Joseph, and the thief Titus, rather than their divine stature. With arrangements by Gian Piero Reverberi and featuring session work from musicians who would soon form Premiata Forneria Marconi, the album's sound is a rich blend of folk songwriting, liturgical choirs, and baroque, pre-progressive rock instrumentation. Released during a period of student protests, De André framed the work as an allegory for contemporary revolution against the abuses of power, establishing it as a landmark of Italian music that explores themes of social justice and universal brotherhood.