FORSE LE LUCCIOLE NON SI AMANO PIÙ

LOCANDA DELLE FATE arrived fairly late on the Italian scene with this record being released in 1977 when Prog was on all accounts on the way out. Some refer to this album as the last great RPI album of the seventies, and for good reason. They were a seven piece band with lots of instruments involved and an emotional and gifted singer as well leading the way. It surprises me when I read that this is elevator music or lightweight because to my ears this is dynamic in it's own way. Sure there are pastoral tracks and passages but the prominant and well done drums with those often chunky bass leads tell a different story. Then add the two organists and two moog players along with clavinet and guitar and well if you listen you will hear an array of complex sounds all intertwined. It took me a long time to understand this album but now that I do the music is as gorgeous as the album cover. I should mention that on the Gnosis site this is rated number 14 overall when it comes to albums that came out of Italy.

I love the way it starts with the instrumental "A Volte Un Istante Di Quiete". I really like the piano, guitar and drumming in this one, as well as the flute led section 2 1/2 minutes in. "Forse Le Lucciole Non Si Amano Piu" opens with piano as reserved vocals come in. An emotional start. The vocals and sound gets more passionate after 1 1/2 minutes. I like the guitar 3 minutes in. "Profumo Di Colla Bianca" has these spacey synths to begin with as drums beat casually. Vocals a minute in as the organ floats in then piano. A fairly relaxing song. "Cercando Un Nuovo Confine" features lots of acoustic guitar with fragile vocals early before piano arrives. I really like the vocal section 1 1/2 minutes in and later at 6 minutes. Some nice flute as well.

"Sogno Di Estunno" opens pleasantly until the guitar and aggressive vocals change the mood. Synths and piano are prominant during the calm sections. "No Chiudere A Chiave Le Stelle" is laid back throughout with relaxing vocals a minute in. "Vendesi Saggezza" opens with piano and synths. Vocals begin fairly restrained but get passionate quickly. The guitar 2 1/2 minutes in with flute and drums is the best part on the whole album. It goes on until about 3 1/2 minutes. A powerful section. One minute of heaven. Back to vocals, piano and synths. A nice full sound with guitar 7 1/2 minutes in. I like the first and last songs the most.

Without question a classic, and it's one of those albums where the album cover is as famous as the music inside.