The Italian Prog Appreciation den

Folky obscurity from 1980

James: I never heard of that band before... wow!! I can't find any italian comparison...

Pierre: each album of I Pooh is full of soft pop numbers but there are always at least two or three excellent tracks. I made a list of my personal favourites that could be of a certain interest (even help) for lover of softer side of prog (I'd call it the best of I Pooh from the seventies).

The list covers only the seventies (from OPERA PRIMA up to VIVA).

The band did something intersting also in the eighties (ex. Inca from STOP album, 1980, the whole PALASPORT live album 1982 or the latest title track from DOVE COMINCIA IL SOLE, 2010) but I don't have all the output from that decade.

So, let's start:

1. Pensiero, from OPERA PRIMA (1971): miliar stone of italian pop;
2. Tanta Voglia di Lei, from OPERA PRIMA (1971): miliar stone of italian pop;
3. Il Primo e Ultimo Uomo, from OPERA PRIMA (1971): rock number with good hammond organ;
4. Opera Prima's title track (1971): sympho-pop suite;
5. Noi Due nel Mondo e nell'Anima, from ALESSANDRA (1972): miliar stone of italian pop with delicate touches of moog;
6. Mio Padre, una Sera, from ALESSANDRA (1972): shy touches of moog here and there;
7. L'Anno, il Posto, l'Ora, from PARSIFAL (1973): great sympho-pop (wonderful lyrics);
8. Infiniti Noi, from PARSIFAL (1973): classic-sympho number;
9. Parsifal's title track (1973): their proggiest;
10. Preludio, from UN PO' DEL NOSTRO TEMPO MIGLIORE (1975): classical sympho number;
11. Credo, from, UN PO' DEL NOSTRO TEMPO MIGLIORE (1975): mid-paced track with good bass;
12. Oceano, from UN PO' DEL NOSTRO TEMPO MIGLIORE (1975): great sympho-pop;
13. Mediterraneo, from UN PO' DEL NOSTRO TEMPO MIGLIORE (1975): excellent instrumental folk based;
14. Eleonora, Mia Madre, from UN PO' DEL NOSTRO TEMPO MIGLIORE (1975): a "decadent portrait", as many pointed out;
15. 1966, from UN PO' DEL NOSTRO TEMPO MIGLIORE (1975): aching;
16. Il Tempo, una Donna, la Città, from UN PO' DEL NOSTRO TEMPO MIGLIORE (1975): wonderful, at the level of Parsifal, maybe better;
17. Quinta Stagione, from FORSE ANCORA POESIA (1975): excellent instrumental sympho-pop;
18. Pierre, from POOHLOVER (1976): great song with acoustic guitar;
19. Uno Straniero Venuto dal Tempo, from POOHLOVER (1976): similar structure to the following track;
20. Padre del Fuoco, Padre del Tuono, Padre del Nulla, from POOHLOVER (1976): excellent closer with atmospheric keys and exciting electric guitar solo;
21. Dammi Solo un Minuto, from ROTOLANDO, RESPIRANDO (1977): miliar stone of italian pop with mordant;
22. Rotolando, Respirando's title track (1977): great guitar;
23. Il Suo Tempo e Noi, from ROTOLANDO, RESPIRANDO (1977): touching song with acoustic guitar and violin;
24. Ancora tra un Anno, from ROTOLANDO, RESPIRANDO (1977): great atmospheric closer;
25. Cercami, from BOOMERANG (1978): big italian pop hit with mordant and analog keys;
26. La Leggenda di Mautoa, from BOOMERANG (1978): sad epic sound;
27. Quaderno di Donna, from BOOMERANG (1978): menacing intro for a relaxing song;
28. Lindbergh (Il Ragazzo del Cielo), from BOOMERANG (1978): excellent sympho-pop with epic sound;
29. L'Ultima Notte di Caccia, from VIVA (1979): wonderful lyrics, catchy rythm and guitar;
30. Viva's title track (1979): sympho-pop with a massive keyboard sound and wonderful electric guitar.

 

 

Edited by Andrea Cortese - October 12 2012 at 04:49

Anyone heard/bought the new Alphataurus yet? Eager to get this one.

Not found yet.

I've recently bought Microsolco by Mangala Vallis and look for the new Fiaba one (La Pelle nella Luna).

Cool!

AMS just re-issued Nascita della sfera's gem on high-quality vinyl.  If you do vinyl, get that one while you can.  Probably the last chance. 

Groovy stuff, Andrea, that MIRAGEMAN  I love the Showmen 2 album and I was wondering if there are other 70's italian bands with that soul feeling

Yes, I do. I heard so many great prog or psyche singles on you tube. BTF should make something !

Absolutely. Hope they'll read these lines

Sad news,  Mats is speaking of closing his website because he receives no feedback. I talk to him sometimes, but I should not be alone. His work is essential. I almost learned everything from him. Please guys, fell free to write to him before it's too late.

hellogoodbye wrote: Sad news,  Mats is speaking of closing his website because he receives no feedback. I talk to him sometimes, but I should not be alone. His work is essential. I almost learned everything from him. Please guys, fell free to write to him before it's too late.   Duck.   http://www.italianprogrock.com/album.php?id=202

Done.

This would be tragic.  Everyone, please write the guy and tell him you appreciate his site.  I suggested more ads and a Paypal donation button.