SUONARE SUONARE

In the 80's the Progressive Rock bands of the surviving 70's recycle themselves as Rock bands with mixed fortunes. Their problem is to remain credible and, above all, to be able to write credible songs. However there have also been bands that have created (although not in Progressive Rock) great albums (not to mention masterpieces). PFM's "Suonare suonare" is one of the first examples that come to mind. The fact is that for PFM they simply tried to translate into POP the Jazz Rock played in the albums "Choccolate Kings", "Jet lag" and "Passpartù" where the talented singer Bernardo lanzetti was present. The result is that, once Lanzetti comes out of the band, PFM manages to create a truly convincing album that contains some of the band's most famous songs. Beginning to "Suonare suonare" (one of the iconic pieces of the band). It is an excellent Rock sung by Franz Di Cioccio who, not having an interesting vocal range, puts everything on the feeling and power (which he does not have). Stylistically, "Suonare suonare" is a mid tempo with an arrangement that makes it very epic and exciting. A great opening track that incorporates atmospheres dear to Eugenio Finardi, also for the text that describes a life situation very well to explain people's behavior. "Volo a vela" is a Rock with Folk parts (the violin) and a very poetic and fairytale text and, at the same time, very reflective and not at all trivial. "Si può fare" is another Rock piece where power comes first. However, it is also very technical and engaging. Furthermore, Franz Di Cioccio proves to be more than an honest singer (despite his enormous limitations). The violin solo by Lucio Fabbri is an excellent closure of a piece that is not at all trivial. "Topolino" (The title is a tribute to the Italian comic book "Topolino" ["Mickey Mouse"] which since 1949 has been collecting the stories of Disney Mice and Ducks) tells the memories of youth and is a good Jazz Rock even if it sounds a bit too cold. However, it should be noted that Lucio Fabbri's violin does a lot of Curved Air, when present. Another iconic piece of the band is "Maestro della voce" (dedicated to Demetrio Stratos, who recently passed away). Bass intro (which in concert becomes a pretext for a really fiery solo). The music is really engaging being a great mid tempo Rock with an extraordinary text that Franz Di Cioccio interprets really well with a really impressive transport (in relation to his skills ... he is not a singer!). "Sogno americano" is a cheerful Rock piece and a bit west cost (in the sense given by the 80's Hard Rock bands). "Bianco e nero" is the piece closest to PFM with Lanzetti even if, then, it develops on the usual excellent bassline of Patrick Djivas and the typical style of Italian Rock of those years that I find a bit cheerful but banal (even if I don't mind ). However, the solos section is excellent and technically it is also emotional (and that of the guitar a bit Bluesy). "Tanti auguri" is a cheerful Folk Rock (at the time it was a genre used in Italy for disengaged and cheerful songs) that could (distantly) sound too derivative from certain English Folk Rock bands. However it is a great final track for a great album.

For 1980 "suonare suonare" it's a great album. It is certainly not Progressive but it contains a lot of Jazz Rock elements and really technical moments. However "Suonare suonare" is a Rock album. And what a Rock album. Because, then, you feel that it is 100% PFM and does not present moments of tiredness or forcing. It contains no fillers and "Suonare suonare" and "Maestro della voce" are two of PFM's most famous pieces. Well ... Woe to believe it is an album made to recycle and continue a stunted career just to make easy money