Soundbikes: Pietro Pietricola

Pietro Pietricola may not be a household name in the world of professional cycling, but the Italian master frame builder is respected around the world as one of the leaders of modern steel construction. For years, Pietricola served alongside the legendary Dario Pegoretti, and when Pegoretti died in 2018, the state-of-the-art Italian frames that Pegoretti built would likely have become collectors’ items if not for Pietricola.

Pietricola was committed to keeping the tradition alive. And today he oversees the production and finishing of every Pegoretti bike at the workshop in Verona. And like Pegoretti, Pietricola is a huge music fan. Music plays continually in the workshop and bike models are often named after favorite songs or artists like Thelonious Monk, Jaco Pastorius, or Stevie Ray Vaughan. Here are Pietricola’s comments on his five-song selections.

“Fallin’ Rain”

“I don’t know what it is about this song, but the music and the sounds just inspire me to look into the future. Ironically, the words are mostly nostalgic and reflect on the past. But the music takes me into the future. To be honest, I never focus too much on lyrics, not in English and not in Italian. It is really the music that inspires me. I have always loved The Neville Brothers—not everything they have done, but a lot of it. And this song just stands out for me.

“Little Wing”

“I always loved this song but to be honest I prefer the Stevie Ray Vaughan version to the Jimi Hendrix version. That is probably because I really discovered it on a trip to Austin, Texas, with Dario. There is a statue of Stevie Ray there and we were standing under the statue listening to some of his music. We listened to “Little Wing” and I will never forget it.  So I have a real connection to this song between Stevie Ray, Dario, and Austin. It was an amazing trip, and when Dario and I returned we were just listening to Stevie Ray every day, all day.”

Bonnie Raitt’s Repertroire

I really can’t pick one song from Bonnie. That would just be impossible. I just love every song she has ever written. She has such an amazing voice, and her music is just so tasteful. I love in particular the duos she has done over the years with other artists. It’s always perfect. The song she recorded with Willie Nelson, “Getting Over You”—wow, it’s just so perfect. The play of their voices, everything about that song, I just love.

“I’d Rather Go Blind”

Beth Hart is an incredible singer today. And I just love her rendition of “I’d Rather Go Blind.” Of course, the original by Etta James is already incredible. But Beth adds something to it, especially when Joe Bonamassa is playing with her. I just love that singer and I love the way she interprets classic songs like this one. What an incredible song that is!

“Lily Was Here”

The saxophone is one of my favorite instruments and I love Candy Dulfer. “Lily Was Here” is just a great song and is always very relaxing. I don’t know why but I often prefer female vocalists and interpreters. They have a way of putting more strength and more feeling into their music. And Bonnie, Beth, and Candy are all great examples.