DALLA VITA AUTENTICA

"A very entertaining New Italian Prog Band Party'!"

Recently I was asked to review a bunch of new Italian prog for Dutch prog website Background Magazine, from Hollowscene to Nathan and O.A.K., but the CD Andrea Orlando with Dalla Vita Autentica appealled the most to me. Because it looks like a 'New Italian Prog Band Party' featuring prime mover Andrea Orlando (Finisterre, Hostsonaten, La Coscienza di Zeno) on drums, percussion and keyboards and a wide range of guest musicians from (more or less) known new Italian progrock bands, like Alessandro Corvaglia (Hostsonaten, La Maschera di Cera, Narrow Pass) on vocals, Agostino Macor (Finisterre, Hostsonaten, La Maschera di Cera, Zaal) on keyboards and on guitar Stefano Marelli (Finisterre, Hostsonaten), Laura Marsano (Hostsonaten, La Maschera di Cera) and Marcella Arganese (Ubi Maior). This along other musicians on cello, bass, violin, viola, contrabass and trombone. So high expectations, also because I am a huge fan of new Italian prog and have listened to tons of these bands in the last two decades.

1. Le Forme Della Distanza... (4:29) : The instrumental opener delivers an electronic music landscape with the sound of soaring strings and sequencers. The hypnotizing keyboard runs create a tension that matches with the melancholical atmosphere. A bit surprising but strong start.

2. Oltre Domani (6:10) : In this composition sumptuous keyboards (lots of Mellotron choirs) and moving guitar with howling runs (evoking the early Neo Prog of IQ and Pendragon) are blended with dreamy parts, featuring delicate electric piano and awesome classical orchestrations. A very alternating and compelling experience, topped with outstanding Italian vocals, reminding me of Seventies Museo Rosenbach, and singer Alessandro his former band La Maschera Di Cera.

3. Cinque Giorni D'autunno (8:16) : This varied mid-long track contains a lot of shifting moods. From bombastic with powerful Hammond organ and propulsive drums to dreamy with tender piano and emotional vocals. And from a slow rhtyhm with cello and intense piano work to an accellaration with powerful drum beats, synthesizer flights and majestic Mellotron choirs. The short silences in the music are a big bonus that contribute to the excitement in the music.

4. Cadi Con Me (3:47): A slow rhythm with a mellow climate featuring excellent female vocals. The colouring is very tasteful and varied, from fragile guitar work to subtle work on strings, piano, organ and trombone.

5. Il Giardino Di Maya (4:26) : This is an instrumental track with a propulsive and dynamic rhythm-section, halfway a flashy Minimoog solo with spectacular use of the pitchbend button. The violin play brings PFM to my mind in this swinging prog climate, this band knows how to keep my attention!

6. Fragile (5:01) : A slow rhythm with a melancholical climate and majestic Mellotron violins, evoking early Anekdoten. Again topped with excellent, very emotional Italian vocals, and fine contributions on cello and trombone. What a moving and compelling composition!

7. Dalla Vita Autentica (16:52) : Finally an epic, loaded with variety and exciting moments.

First an intro with a melancholical Mellotron violin sound, then tender classical piano and soaring strings, simply wonderful.

Next an accellaration with a tight beat, sparkling piano and Hammond waves, followed by a swinging part with a dynamic rhythm-section, blended with Hammond, violin and Mellotron choirs.

Halfway a short part with cello, then a propulsive rhythm-section with powerful Hammond organ and howling guitar runs, evoking Seventies Kansas.

In the final part the music slows down and turns into a mindblowing build-up and grand finale. First cheerful 'Vivaldi violins', then a slow rhythm and a melancholical atmosphere with wailing cello. In the end the music erupts with sumptuous Mellotron choirs, sensitive electric guitar runs, reminding me of IQ but also Pendragon, slowly the music fades away, I am carried away to Prog Heaven, what a beautiful and compelling sound this band generates, WOW!

On this debut CD it all comes together: outstanding, experienced and dedicated musicians from new Italian prog bands who wanted to make prog from their hearts, a big hand for Andrea Orlando and his musical friends, this is why I still love prog after more than 40 years, multo grazie!

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