STORIA DI UN MINUTO

"Storia di un minuto" is Premiata Forneria Marconis debut album and was released in 1972. The album has an artistic cover with the face of a woman, some houses of a city and empty branches of a tree, everything colerful and interesting. This cover makes us expectant to what may come. And this came:

Seven tracks of amazing, dynamic and dramatic music packed in a timeless progressive rock. This music is nothing but essential for a prog rock fan. It is so honest, pure and filled with emotions and musical influences so I understand It must have been hard for PFM to keep that splendor. On this record the band included Franz di Cioccio (drums, Moog, aggeggi, vocals  ), Franco Mussida (electric & acoustic guitars, 12-string guitar, mandoloncello, vocals  ), Mauro Pagani ( flute, ottavino, violin, vocals), Giorgio Piazza (Giorgio Piazza / bass, vocals  ) and Flavio Premoli (organ, piano, mellotron, harpsichord, piano a puntine, moog, vocals ). All those instruments give the music a uinique power.

"Introduzione" is an introduktion which starts with warbling and powerful symphonic rock connects before this short gem cuncludes. "Impressioni Di Settembre" is astonishing in its interlude which is so powerful and really grabs you and wants you to tensing muscles. The verses are carefull. "E'Festa" is variated and very qualified rock. Starts with rock'n'roll and winding keyboard connects. A totally free vocalisation and both chamber piano and flute are included. "Dove...Quando...- I Parte" has a fealing of the Medieval or perhaps the baroque period. This and the soft vocals makes a fealing of different times melting together. "Dove...Quando...-II Parte" is instrumental and experimental with some jazz and some blues and contains an old fasioned symphonic piano. "La Carrozza di Hans" is perhaps the discs most dramaturgical piece with different episodes of totally different music. Finally perhaps "Grazie Davvero" is my favourite track along with the second. It begins acoustic and becomes a strong song with powerful vocals. The music comes with jolts and gives a feeling of film music and perhaps a little bit Beatles. Very strong music.

A little short, but totally escellent record from this Premiata Forneria Marconi. Chocholate Kings which I reviewed some days ago couldn't hide their Genesis influences. This record has other intertexts but not as distinct. It sound just like PFM mainly and that is very good. It could almost be a little sad when a group makes such a good debut. I wonder if the rest is as good as this?