STORIA O LEGGENDA

"If I go to work, that's because I don't know what to do, few friend to pass the time together..."

Storia o Leggenda is the most controversial album released by Le Orme during the seventies. It was recorded in Paris in 1977 - october. A very nice "freudian" cover (fallic symbolism) that reminds of the memorable Uomo di Pezza (1972). The picture is inspired by a work of Walter Mac Mazzieri and seems to represent the fight between man and woman, maybe a link to a tough contrast between harder and gentler music's parts... nothing at all!

The listener risks to be too soon disappointed for the wrong choice of the opener track, titled "Tenerci per mano" (Holding Hands). That wasn't the right place to introduce REGGAE!! I was a little bit shocked too, even though those reggae parts are not of a great importance in the song's structure. By the way I cannot blame who've decided to underestimate the value of the whole album mainly for the influence of its opening move, which is, anyway, a good track (despite the reggae parts, obvious!) with mellow and wonderful harmonies.

If the band had decided to turn upside down the tracking list, I'm sure the results and the opinions of many prog lovers could have been different. Just listen to the closer, titled "Al Mercato delle Pulci" (At the Fleas' Fair)...the first seconds are a sort of forewarning of what would have come next with Florian...a mix between that Florian "acoustic" and "classical" feel plus a more stronger and usual instrumental work by Le Orme, with noticable drums' and bass' parts provided by the Michi De Rossi and Aldo Tagliapietra. What a pity the song is so short (only 4,07 mns). This was the argument that deserved to be developed!

The other tracks are all similar in structure, being a reasonable follow up of Verità Nascoste, but in a more soft and commercial vein (listen, for example, to "Se Io Lavoro", the track that get then the most relevant airplay...). "Il Musicista" is another favourite of mine from this prog-pop release, nice work on guitar by Germano Serafin. Relaxing arrangements in "Il Quadro", nothing more for a pure symphonic prog lover!

In conclusion: a mediocre prog release, a good prog-pop tunes' selection. If you want more from Le Orme of that period, get Verità Nascoste or Florian, which is, completely different, yet!

2.5 stars