The Italian Prog Appreciation den

Edited by Finnforest - April 11 2025 at 08:21

This is an excellent crossover prog album from a young Roman band. If you like upbeat and accessible bands with chops aplenty, give it a spin. English vocals, but you can't have everything lol.

https://elevaterecords1.bandcamp.com/album/guiding-ghost

^
The very first minute or so had me fooled. Thought I was listening to some Tangerine Dream.

Anyhoo it’s been a while but I found myself spinning some Battisti, Battiato, Cervello and Capitolo 6 during the past month or so, thus deciding to pop by the ol Italian den to see what’s cooking….and who do I come across? The original Italian connoisseur himself, Jim!
Thanks for the above vid btw, I thoroughly enjoyed that. Really hits that warm and enigmatic vibe of the 70s oh so well. Now I just need to go find me a cd as my paperwall apartment has me going full cd and headphones for the time being. Funny how so much current music is being released solely on vinyl (and via download of course).

Yes it has been a good while since last. I know what you mean though with regards to reviewing. I think that is why I never did a Premiata Forneria Marconi, Banco or Le Orme one. So much more interesting picking bands that, as you rightly mention, lurk beneath the radar of most.
I remember doing a review of Ragnar Grippe’s Sand on here and a little later on being contacted by the man himself. That was really cool.

You are right, always been keen on the wilder stranger sounds in prog rock, although lately I seem to have gone the complete other way - listening to 80s music and pop that I used to look down upon. I believe I used to call that stuff ‘soap music’ back when I was more of a music snob than I wished to admit.
My collection now also holds albums from Duran Duran, Tears For Fears, Ultravox as well as your old flame Kate Bush. 13 year old David would be enraged whereas the current one is relishing in the music..as it should be.

That is quite the musical u-turn.
No wonder there is a piece of music for just about any occasion if you just look hard enough.
Btw I really enjoyed your Ego review Jim

Just finished reading this excellent article on Demetrio Stratos, who would have turned 80 today: https://www.ilpost.it/2025/04/22/demetrio-stratos-80-anni/?homepagePosition=2. Even though the article (which contains a number of original videos of Stratos with Area and on his own) is in Italian, I am sure you will be able to translate it into English or other languages.

Edited by Raff - 7 hours 44 minutes ago at 08:38