The Collector

This month: DJ Nevio Bencivenni

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Nevio Bencivenni is a DJ from San Giovanni in Persiceto, Bologna, Northern Italy, a collector with a particular area of interest.

The 69-year-old says, “I have loved music since I was a young kid and crossed through most genres both from UK and US over the years. Because I’m a boomer, in my youth I was divided between rock — Cream, Ten Years After and so on - and progressive: Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, etc. I'm sure you know that progressive had a great success here in Italy in the 70s. Then there was the American rock, punk, new wave etc. Following my music passion, I travelled all over the world for concerts or record hunting. I’m a radio DJ here in my hometown and my Wednesday show is all about live recordings - official only. Maybe that’s why my collection includes almost all music genres from the UK, US, the rest of the world and - obviously - Italy but 90 per cent (or more) of that is recorded live stuff.”

What do you collect and why?

I collect live recordings, but official releases only (LP, CDs, EPs, singles). I started collecting when I was a kid because I love the crowd response to the songs, I love the “chorus” of the audience during and after the songs. Another reason is the difference between studio and live versions. I love improvisations and arrangement changes. So, for instance, I don’t collect the various radio sessions (excuse me, Mr Peel) available because, while I know it’s live, without an audience it’s often too similar to the studio versions, so I don’t like it.

The initial spark of my mania was the 1970 Ten Years After Love Like A Man 7”. There is the studio side A at 45rpm, 3.05 long plus live side B at 33rpm 8.15 long. So for the first time I checked the difference between studio and live recordings. And I was captured forever.