IL TEMPO DELLA GIOIA

Right from the start, you know these guys can play. The first two tracks are very pastoral and classical no electric guitar anywhere, almost like an Italian Renaissance. It's not until track three "Il Tempo Della Gioia" that the electricity kicks in. The title track is very proggish , with mutilple time signatures and some bizarre operatic singing. The vocalist Giorgio Giorgi has a very good voice and at most times hits those high notes. Track four, "Un Giorno, Un Amico" is very jazz-like with two sax solos and one violin. The last track, E Accaduto Una Notte" reaches back to the first two tracks, warm and classical with touches of electric playing, it ends with a BANG, literally. Overall, an excellent Italian symphonic album to add to your collection, just a tad below the best of PFM and Banco for my tastes. So, a four star disc.