CELESTE [AKA: PRINCIPE DI UN GIORNO]

Well, this album is something I really have mixed reactions about. CELESTE's self-entitled album, often called "Principe di un Giorno" was said to have been recorded in 1974, but not released until 1976, on the short-lived Grog label (a label that has few titles, and which only CORTE DEI MIRACOLI being the only other band from that label I have and is familiar with). I often appreciate this album because it's a solid effort and very well produced, so it doesn't take very many listens to get in to. The music borrows from PFM, and of KING CRIMSON. Acoustic guitars, early PFM-style vocals, Mellotron, piano, and some synthesizers dominate. Drums make that occasional appearance. But I also find parts of this album rather infantile sounding to my ears making this album a bit overrated. But there are some really killer passages as well, especially the Mellotron, or some of the more tranquil passages (especially the part with flute and the Farfisa electric piano with the sound of children playing in reverse).

Again, this is an album like LOCANDA DELLE FATE's "Forse Le Lucciole Non Si Amano Più", SEMIRAMIS's "Dedicato a Frazz", and IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO's "YS", overhyped and overrated, but at least still worth having.