Augusto Croce's "Italian Prog" has arrived!
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Books and Miscellaneous Reviews
Forum Description: Reviews of prog books, memorabilia, etc.
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53743
Printed Date: November 23 2024 at 18:27
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Topic: Augusto Croce's "Italian Prog" has arrived!
Posted By: Finnforest
Subject: Augusto Croce's "Italian Prog" has arrived!
Date Posted: November 30 2008 at 11:13
 I think seeing this 700+ page hardcover tome come to life is a feather in the cap of everyone here who has worked so hard to validate the Sub... Congrats all around  and especially to Augusto |
Replies:
Posted By: jimmy_row
Date Posted: November 30 2008 at 14:52
Is anyone going to pull the trigger?------------- Signature Writers Guild on strike |
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: November 30 2008 at 15:24
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Will have to see if Larson or Walker pick it up. Or at least what BTF wants to ship from Italy, I'm guessing it will be quite expensive. I'd be surprised if Doug or Greg wouldn't offer it eventually, even if it takes a while. |
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: December 05 2008 at 10:09
| Looks to be about $105 through BTF for shipment to the USA. My wallet just gasped. |
Posted By: jimmy_row
Date Posted: December 06 2008 at 19:41
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^ Mine just covered it's goodies and reached for the pepper-spray. ------------- Signature Writers Guild on strike |
Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: December 06 2008 at 20:11
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I want this too. Hope it gets to some US vendor like you guys said. Would be interested to read what people who have this already think of the book and describe its contents and format a bit. ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: December 06 2008 at 22:12
 ^^Assaf.....I heard it was a book form edition of his site for one thing, but given the size there must be more than just that. If I hear anything else concrete I'll let you know. |
jimmy_row wrote:Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: December 09 2008 at 03:23
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One of my next buys but I confirm it will be expensive(76 euros for me) ------------- I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world of searchers with the help from crimson king |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: December 09 2008 at 07:03
Very bad timing indeed... If it had come out a month ago, I would've been able to get it in Italy, and brief you all about the contents !
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Posted By: Alberto Muņoz
Date Posted: December 09 2008 at 10:15
When i can buy this, guys??? help!!!!  -------------  |
Posted By: Alberto Muņoz
Date Posted: December 09 2008 at 10:15
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i do not care the cost i want this book!!!!!! ------------- |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: December 09 2008 at 14:12
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Try http://www.btf.it - www.btf.it , if you don't care about the cost. The postage and packing will likely kill you!
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Posted By: Todd
Date Posted: December 18 2008 at 11:52
| Greg Walker has some available for $95, still less than the total BTF price of $102 ($77+$25s/h). He got them in on Tuesday. I ordered it and expect it to arrive today. I'll let you know what I find! |
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: December 18 2008 at 12:44
| $95 total? If not, how much extra is shipping? |
Posted By: Todd
Date Posted: December 18 2008 at 12:50
| I ordered it along with several CDs, so I don't know how much the shipping would be separately. But he told me that his total was cheaper than BTF (not to mention faster). |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: December 18 2008 at 15:25
| BTF is cheap for Italian standards (CDs usually cost a couple of euros less than in mainstream music stores), but I doubt it is very cost-effective for people who live overseas. The exchange rate is not favourable at present, and the cost of shipping is usually rather high. |
Posted By: inrainbows
Date Posted: December 18 2008 at 18:42
It's still expensive for Europeans, 76 euros for all countries out of Italy, is not a small amount  ------------- 
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Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: December 18 2008 at 19:44
| No, it's not, and that is to be expected. The book is likely to have been printed in relatively small quantities, and additionally it includes a CD. Furthermore, books in Italy tend to be more expensive than in the USA, where paperbacks are extremely cheap, and even hardbacks are much less pricey than their European equivalents. |
Posted By: Todd
Date Posted: December 19 2008 at 14:47
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Well the book arrived yesterday, and I've had some time to take a look at it.
It's a very nice hardcover, with a good looking format. Very well done! The first 650 pages are black and white, the last 120 in color.
The book is encylopedic in format, with tabs from A-Z for easy access. The information listed for the bands is essentially the same as on the Italian Prog website. Initially I thought there were a lot more bands included in the book than on the website, but after going back and clicking on "Entire Listing" under each letter, all the bands included in the book are available there (consisting of mainly minor bands). From what I've seen, there isn't really any significant new information given about the bands.
The format under the bands is the same as on the website, including personnel, history, collectors corner, and discography. The albums from all the bands are pictured together in the last 120 pages in order, rather than with the band information in the black and white section. The interview sections of the website are not included in the book. The Labels section of the book is essentially the same as the website also.
The book came with a bonus CD, which includes unreleased tracks from several bands, including RRR, EA Poe, Il Paese Dei Balocchi, Dalton, Estate di San Martin, members of Officina Meccanica, and others. Overall the production is not great, as you would expect. My opinion of the tracks are as follows:
RRR - Io e Iuio parts 1 and 2 - not very good, fairly bouncy rhythm, very pop
Il Paese - Note di Vietro - very lovely pastoral type piece with acoustic guitar and flute, then some drums
L'amore Innato - good song, with acoustic guitar and harpsichord, later organ and drums
EA Poe - Jaws Main - psych pop song
Jaws End - folk pop
Canzone dell'angelo - soft, melodic, electric piano with guitar
Barbati/Maioozi (guitarist and vocalist for Officina Meccanica)
Stai - funky rhythm, almost reggae, not very good
Vieni Via D Qui - nice song, good atmospheric use of synthesizers and drum machine
Overall lacks the quality of the Officina Meccanica compilation
Gli Esseri - 2 pop songs, the second with some psych influence, not much prog
Dalton - Riflessioni vocal version - not nearly as appealing as the album version
Latitudine 45 - who? Decent songs, more pop/rock with some okay keyboards
I Numi - 10 minute song Infiniti Mondi, just okay. Very slowly builds from mellow organ to drums/brass
Breznev Fan Club - who? strange vocals on these two songs, the first with a funky r&b groove with some jazzy breaks, the second with spoken vocals over soft guitar, then some harder rock
Estate di San Martin - the best bonus track of the CD - Sere d'Agosto - great use of atmospheric keyboards and drum machine (a la Duke), gradually building but never excessive. Live track.
So my overall impression is this: I like having the book format, because I like books. There are some bands I've discovered looking in the pages of the book that I wouldn't have if left to my own exploring links. But in terms of information, there is actually more on the website than in the book. I like the layout of all the albums of Italian prog in the last 120 pages. The bonus CD is okay, certainly not essential.
I'm glad I bought it, but it is a slight letdown. I was hoping for more of a general introduction (there is a 4 page introduction) or narrative discussion of Italian prog. But I learned more along these lines from Andrea's piece on this site than in the book. I think it will help me as I continue to discover the magical world that is Italian prog!
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Posted By: jimmy_row
Date Posted: December 19 2008 at 15:44
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Thanks Todd for that detailed review, very helpful. ------------- Signature Writers Guild on strike |
Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: December 19 2008 at 16:22
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Like Jimmy says, thanks Todd, that's very helpful! You should post this as a Book Review in the Books Reviews section here in the forum. ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: inrainbows
Date Posted: December 19 2008 at 16:28
Thank you Todd, your review was very helpful for me too 
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: December 20 2008 at 09:06
thanks for the review Todd... my question on the book was answered.. excellent job with the review ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: DamoXt7942
Date Posted: January 02 2009 at 19:27
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Croce's Italian Prog, I've read, too.
It's absolutely a great book I'm sure...because not checked at his webpage.
As Todd's excellent(!!) review, the bonus CD includes some previously unreleased songs.
Indeed the songs are extra so maybe not so good, but for non-Italian-prog-senior like me they are fantastic and can let me feel much Italian flavour.
I love, particularly Gli Esseri's two songs. ------------- http://www.facebook.com/damoxt7942" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: DamoXt7942
Date Posted: January 03 2009 at 07:26
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By the way, the last words of this textbook is written by Katsuhiko Hayashi, Mugen's leader.
He's a pride for us Japanese I wanna say!  ------------- http://www.facebook.com/damoxt7942" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: January 04 2009 at 04:48
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Ordered yesterday evening! ------------- I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world of searchers with the help from crimson king |
Posted By: DamoXt7942
Date Posted: January 04 2009 at 18:20
Great.
You'll fall deeply into the Italian prog world...like me...  ------------- http://www.facebook.com/damoxt7942" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: January 05 2009 at 09:04
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Of course!When one falls in italian prog,the only risk he takes is spending money on masterpieces! ------------- I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world of searchers with the help from crimson king |
Posted By: DamoXt7942
Date Posted: January 05 2009 at 16:58
Exactly...
One of the victims (no, lucky men!) by Italian prog is me... ------------- http://www.facebook.com/damoxt7942" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: January 09 2009 at 20:01
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------------- I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world of searchers with the help from crimson king |
Posted By: DamoXt7942
Date Posted: January 09 2009 at 21:02
Hi, fusionfreak, what happened?
I guess you've been very amazed with Croce's power and can't speak (post?) at all... ------------- http://www.facebook.com/damoxt7942" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: January 10 2009 at 12:14
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Actually I tried to post something but I couldn't since I was too much stoned after an evening with friends.By the way I will receive the book in 10 or 12 days(BTF was closed for 2 weeks):Great! ------------- I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world of searchers with the help from crimson king |
Posted By: DamoXt7942
Date Posted: January 12 2009 at 05:27
If you're stoned, let's read Croce's book...you'll get vertigo soon.
Anyway, last weekend I visited a CD shop I've got the textbook.
That's maybe their STRATEGY...I couldn't help buying much more Italian rare albums...
And the marihuama of RPI is now attackin' me again and again... ------------- http://www.facebook.com/damoxt7942" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: January 12 2009 at 08:34
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It's a very nice attack! ------------- I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world of searchers with the help from crimson king |
Posted By: DamoXt7942
Date Posted: January 12 2009 at 18:25
To tell the truth, this textbook can let us know about the groups' history but cannot give enough information of each album.
So, namely, we should listen to more albums introduced by Croce and try to write reviews here.  ------------- http://www.facebook.com/damoxt7942" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: January 13 2009 at 02:33
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Let's order lots of italian prog cd's! ------------- I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world of searchers with the help from crimson king |
Posted By: DamoXt7942
Date Posted: January 13 2009 at 03:23
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Please see my review and you can find some albums reviewed by me are reported in Croce's book. ------------- http://www.facebook.com/damoxt7942" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: January 14 2009 at 14:31
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I will have a look:my order is on its way to my mailbox!I'm waiting. ------------- I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world of searchers with the help from crimson king |
Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: January 19 2009 at 07:27
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Received this morning:great! ------------- I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world of searchers with the help from crimson king |
Posted By: DamoXt7942
Date Posted: January 19 2009 at 09:07
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BTW, what Italian album did you receive?
...Breznev Fan Club did you? ------------- http://www.facebook.com/damoxt7942" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: inrainbows
Date Posted: January 19 2009 at 17:02
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Book just arrived! A lot of homework to do
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Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: January 20 2009 at 12:07
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Good homework! ------------- I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world of searchers with the help from crimson king |
Posted By: DamoXt7942
Date Posted: January 21 2009 at 23:26
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Sometimes listen to the bonus CD and I feel every band should have their characteristic and peculiarity.
Especially I love Il Paese Dei Balocchi's songs which have as-you-say Italian prog flavour.
Some of bands are eccentric and difficult to know well...I'll not say more. ------------- http://www.facebook.com/damoxt7942" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: zappadaddy
Date Posted: August 12 2010 at 11:34
Thanks for reviewing the cd accompaing the book,I was searching for some additional tracks of Officina Meccanica what was not included on their compilation cd.i am desperate to find additional songs from OM,can someone help? ------------- My heroes are Frank Zappa,Ozzy Osbourne,The Plastic People of the Universe,Sun Ra and Mirek Wanek from Uz jsme doma |
Posted By: zappadaddy
Date Posted: August 12 2010 at 11:42
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just found this very helpfull site about italian prog compilations http://www.italianprog.com/a_compilations.htm - http://www.italianprog.com/a_compilations.htm
------------- My heroes are Frank Zappa,Ozzy Osbourne,The Plastic People of the Universe,Sun Ra and Mirek Wanek from Uz jsme doma |