"Progressive italiano" book review

PROGRESSIVE ITALIANO
By Alessandro Caboli and Giovanni Ottone
ISBN 978-88-09-04794-5
Giunti Editore
pages 128
text in Italian with coloured photos (album covers)
€6,90

This is a Pocket with The cards of 109 groups and solists and beyond 200 album reviewed and appraised (from 1967 and the death of Demetrio Stratos). 

This book is divided in three sections:
1) Intro titled "Immagini Per Un Orecchio" ("Images For An Ear"): Is the story and a general iframing of this sub genre (in this case understood like groups that developed a speech totally Italian of the Prog, excluding only the groups Jazz/ Fusion but including Perigeo). The text is a general view to the movement, Correctly to frame how much then was developed in the varied cards.  For this service is Exhaustive and entire, should not enter in the specific.

2) "The Greaters": From Acqua Fragile to The Trip, passing to Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, Area, Pfm, Le Orme, Delirium, Perigeo, Quella Vecchia Locanda, Claudio Rocchi, Rovescio Della Medaglia etc...: They come taken in examination only groups/ artists that had happened and produced more album.  Therefore the fundamental.  In general the review is good and the diagram is the following one: introductions of the group with story and info, review (with appraise) of the single album. Naturally is a simple work since this pubblication is revolted to a generalist public. 

3) "The Minors":  in general the groups with one or two albums (From Agorà to Il Volo, passing to Edgar Allan Poe, Era Di Acquario, Rocky's Filj, Alusa Fallax, Arti + (&) Mestieri, Kaleidon, Opus Avantra, Panna Fredda, Osage Tribe etc...): in this case the review including also a story and notes to the single band/ artist.

Conclusion: This is a pocket book from generalist public. But also for Progster. Not enter in the merit, also because they were left outside artists also mattering (Toto Torquati, for example) or artists that produced only singles or, still, with extremely difficult CD to find.  Nevertheless for the purpose that fix to obtain is a good book. At any rate best to build an Italian Prog discography. If it know the Italian language is a good purchase for your Prog library.


Edited by Mandrakeroot - July 08 2007 at 05:20

Thanks, Memo.

Unfortunately it is written only in Italian and I don't believe that it will be possible to do a English version.  However it is a fine book, light and, proper its, complete. 

I suppose it is part of the Giunti series of paperbacks on rock... I've got a few of them, though I have to say I don't agree with most of their ratings. However, I'll try to get it next time I go to a bookshop, and give it as a present to my darling love.