FORSE LE LUCCIOLE NON SI AMANO PIÙ

There was definitely a long hiatus in my desire to sink my teeth into this marvelous RPI masterpiece, mainly because so many lustrous reviews have already been consecrated to the brilliance of this recording. But I got a bit anxious and decided that it was time to take a shot at it. While certainly breezier than the conventional rawer forms of the celebrated Italian Prog School, this jewel takes firmly its place on the pantheon of progressive classics. Why do you perhaps impudently ask? The gentle symphonics are majestic both in breath and scope, simple emotional ornamentations where everything gels to perfection, complex sections (what a fabulous drummer!) and extensive interplay. This can happen easily as there are 2 guitarists and 2 keyboardists who interweave with immense facility, gilding the arrangements with a wide spectrum of classical, jazz, Italian folk and rock frills, seemingly guided by confident impunity. The rustic elegance of the instrumental opener (isn't that the way all prog albums should start?) "A Volte un Instante di Quiete" coronates the disc with immediate class, savvy guitar and graceful piano on one side, shuffling rhythm section holding the wheel and Hammond and flute on the other side. Devastatingly effective, what a buzz when the gentle synth fanfare enters the fray, recalling classic early PFM and slings the listener straight to heaven when the guitar parallels the theme, riding shotgun with class and fervor . This juxtaposition is not just with the playing but also with the constantly shifting moods and the sonic mindgame being formatted by their muse. Absolute killer track! Bravo!The whopping title track is next , this time introducing Leonardo Sasso's warm and melancholic voice and blending well with the erect Michele Conta piano, the shimmering fragility is chilling , a harsh guitar riff and a blazing synth conspire to elevate this even higher , the vocals getting bolder, an adventurous series of slurpy licks on guitar. Some harpsichord like sounds (the brilliant clavicembalo) adorns this arrangement with impossible delicacy, letting this monster grow at its natural pace. The playing delves ever deeper into the elaborate emotional qualities so specific to Italian Prog, the piano doing supremely well warding off the sultry flute and ushering in the grandiose theme once again. Bravo 2! "Profumo di Colla Bianca" keeps the Ferrari pedal to the metal, not relenting a bit , now proposing a sibilant swirl that warmly envelopes the soul, pungent bass, seductive drums and a masterful piano (what a glorious instrument when well played , too bad it took me so many years to realize it fully!) pushing the melody along confidently. Sasso's splendid singing is more emotive yet still subdued at first, a dab of floral flute, some jangling guitar bits and beeping Polymoog patches. The music is eerily tasty and stylish, certainly some of the best RPI anywhere and we are just 3 tunes into the album!!!! Bravo 3 ."Cercando un Nuovo Confine" stays more into more traditional terrain, a pastoral romp that gets possessed at times but well within the dreamy streams of folk, a rural escapade into the Italian countryside. "Sogno di Estunno" is definitely rock, juicy guitars spurting nicely amid the flute follies, quieting down to get the mind reeling and, on a dime, reverting to getting the blood boiling anew. The Jethro Tull winks are obvious but the whistling synth solo comes as a pleasant surprise, the dripping piano Aqualunging forcefully. At the risk of repeating myself, the Giorgio Gardino drums are tantalizing, both in creativity and oomph!, a truly gifted percussor. Bravo 4 "Non Chiudere a Chiave le Stelle" glows with intense fire, a passionate ballad like only the Azurri can dish out, tender vocals and frail embellishments, a devastatingly gorgeous slice of prog. Bravo number 5! The stormy "Vendesi Saggezza" is a nearly 10 minute mini-epic that spans all the inherent qualities expressed by the musicians, where suggestive guitar leads, twirling flute and ominous backbone riffs keep this firmly anchored in the "tradizione", nothing fluffy or vapid, just a fine example of resourceful music that tries not to plagiarize or ride some nebulous fad, thus standing the test of time. Butterfly synths bubble with finesse and grace, solidly held by the drum control and macheted by some flowery guitar soars. Bravo 6! By this stage, there is little doubt we are in the presence of a gold mine album for all time. My hands hurt from the clap! (no not the STD!) "New York" is a short bonus track that fits well within the mood, a genial little marvel that perpetuates the glee with hardly a hint of weakening the effort; in fact the colossal chorus is to die for, an upward spiraling vortex of utter beauty, a high pitched voice (Ezio Vevey?) Bravo, the 7th ! . Definitely a keeper, a must addition for any serious prog collector, pizza and pasta lovers and anyone with a heartbeat. Sorry Johnny ! 5 dewy petals