QUEL GIORNO DI UVE ROSSE

''Quel giorno di uve rosse'' features two sidelong suites around 17 minutes each, misleading to conclusions that this was a lost and forgotten Italian Prog gem of the 70's.The truth is that the album is a mix of Soft Classical-based Rock with Orchestral Pop, containg plenty of sweet and romantic Italian vocals, but having few connections with the strongest Italian Prog bands of the past.The music is mainly led the Classical Orchestra of Rome in smooth and melodic arrangements, based on atmospheric string parts, flutes and harsichord, with the constant presence of the Italian singers.Notable are also some light jazzy electric guitars appearing every now and then, supported by a weak rhythm section, while there is evidence of some sporadic organ parts here and there.The compositions contain some nice dramatic passages with darker and more emphatic orchestral atmospheres, strengthened by the narration of Roberto Capasso, but these seems to be the most interesting material, along with some nice flute and harsichord moves, even if these are too softly delivered, on an album, that otherwise flows in a very calm mood.Lots of Gospel-type choirs and operatic vocals and the endless strings make this a pretty nice film score for a Christian-type movie, but the abscence of dynamics and a competent rockin' background make it sounding more like a symphony than a Prog-related album.

Unknown and very rare LP, that was forgotten for some good reason.Dedicated lovers of the Italian styles of music and those starving for some decent orchestral arrangements have chances to appreciate this 70's obscurity.If you are not included in these categories, this will possibly work better than a sleeping pill than a major listening...2.5 stars.

In the late 1960s and 1970s it was not uncommon for religious labels to release beat and soft RPI albums with Christian themes. One of the better ones from an RPI perspective is the delightful QUEL GIORNO DI UVE ROSSE, which Croce's site says was not a proper band but a collection of musicians assigned to recording the project. The heavily religious lyrics were put to "music by Giuseppe Cappelletti with orchestral arrangements by Giacomo Dell'Orso."

Frequently orchestral and only lightly progressive, with beat and Italian pop influences, the album features male and female vocals, spoken word narration, and choir vocals. The melodies are easily enjoyed and despite some luke warm rock instrumentation, there is little for fans of aggressive or complex music. But fans of orchestral music and "pretty" Italian prog on the lighter side should enjoy this album very much. There's also a bit of brass, strings, acoustic guitar, lush keyboards, harpsichord, and generally very good performances throughout. I'm impressed with the great care taken in the arrangements and it sounds well recorded despite my review being taken from a sound clip rather than the album. I like the feel of the long suites and the warm if economical orchestration, working well with the classical influences, Ital-pop, and occasional Italian folk sounds. Some mention Latte Miele but I would describe them closer to a Genfuoco sound with the vocals of a reserved musical/rock opera. In any case, I enjoyed this rarity very much and find it to be another Italian obscurity worth checking out. Sadly there is no CD reissue to date and you will likely not find the album. If you wish to hear this relic, click the video sample on our artist page.