CELESTE [AKA: PRINCIPE DI UN GIORNO]

What a beautiful album we have here. probably the last of the romantics. For those who love tons of mellotron sounds, pastoral tunes, bucolic scenarios and mainly that incomparable flavor of early 70s Italian symphonic prog this album is a must.

Yes, this gorgeous album seems disjointed for its release year; the atmosphere is purely around 1972. Those four years looked like an eternity for the prog-rock scene and in 1976 the odds were really against our beloved musical genre: strange and difficult times that prevented us to have appreciated much more "Principe Di Un Giorno" then. This output is a typical classic Italian prog thanks to the poignant vocals, the torrent of instruments, the dramatic arrangements, the songs running in a way to meet a climax.

The title-track and album opener is a gem of beauty and enchantment: celestial mellotron tunes, nice flutes, splendid guitars; a song that deserves to be in the same podium reserved for the great ones of the progressive world. Sax solo is pleasant and the keyboards final trimming is amazing and sorrowful.

'Favole antiche' starts with weird space-rock choir and effects soon replaced by one of the purest symphonic moments ever heard decorated with nice folk tunes and romantic vocals; even the classics say present. Solo part begins with a short rock-like section and then a low tune holds sway backed by voices and spoken words; the following section provides a hymn atmosphere to the song. For our delight the last 2 minutes brings back those heavenly symphonic moments of the beginning, this time trimmed with a piano closure. This piece rivals with the title-song for the honor of being album's best.

Other tracks are fine and maintain a good and agreeable hearing level even not matching the opening duo. 'Eftus' keeps high the pastoral ambience with dominating flutes and acoustic guitars all embraced by very nice folk chords. 'Giochi nella notte' shows a kind of diversity from the general climate due to some more vivid parts.

'La Grande Isola' brings a certain epic taste in its intro but in the end the ever-present bucolic/romantic/pastoral scenery overwhelms. A quaint intro is also heard in 'La danza del fato' but later the album pace is retaken. The short and acoustic 'L'imbroglio' closes the album blowing some renaissance winds to the farewell.

I should refrain myself to attach a masterpiece label to this CELESTE album; indeed, the two first tracks could be considered as such but the lack of variation noticed along the other songs keeps "Principe Di Un Giorno" slightly away from this landing; anyway, a more than excellent addition to any prog collection, doubtless.