UN PO' DEL NOSTRO TEMPO MIGLIORE

There might be an opinion including various diversitys including existence in the home country for their activities. The transition and the history of the music character including the long-term activity might have the point that should make a special mention as a result in the band in Italy.

Point that history of this band starts in 1966. Or, groping and the conversion of the directionality after member's replacement is done in an initial activity flow. This band might not be necessarily known worldwide and contribute as a result for sales of the album. However, to always improve the music character, they might not have neglected pursuing at first of the formation.

The part of the start of the activity of their music goes back to 1966. An initial member was five person organization. However, guitar player's Mauro Bertoli takes shape to leave the band at once. Years pass without so emphasizing an initial activity for respect of eminence and sales though some tunes are announced.

It might have been time in 1971 if it considered it as the first turning point concerning their initial activities. "Opera Prima" that they announced has gradually dug into to the chart. They of course and also in the part of eminence come ..the existence.. to be known gradually. The guitar player alternates to Dodi Battaglia with transfering the register label. And, Stefano D 'Orazio is newly received so that Valerio Negrini may concentrate on the charge of writing songs.

The work known well between fans for their initial works might be "Opera Prima" and be "Parsifal". And, the rule of Giancarlo Lucariello might be done and be reflected as an activity and a situation in 1975. When the part of Rock of Euro Rock and Italy was considered, the part of the content to emphasize the part of acoustic and classics might have been remarkably expressed.

The band in the United States and Britain might have influenced some situations of the music of Italy at that time. The flow that some bands had converted the direction from the part of psychedelic and Beat Rock can often be discovered. The color of Producer's Giancarlo Lucariello is a part as an initial content that had been established to some degree. the work of the band united situationsAnd, it might be in the point to have had a part progressive the music character that Red Canzian that participated in the band in place of Riccardo Fogli had and a classic part. Flow that band in Italy introduces progressive part. Baroque and classic part. And, the rhythm to recollect the element of Latin is introduced. These elements were the experiments that various bands had tried with the age and the culture. However, the music character that I Pooh had established it at this time was surely music for them. This flow is succeeded from this album to "Forse Ancora Poesia" as a result. And, it reached "Poohlover" that faced the time of conversion besides in the age. Part of union and directionality of music character that they were having them establish it at this time anyway. Or, the work at this time of them might contain an important point when talking about the history of the Rock group in Italy including eminence.

The harmony of calm Strings of "Preludio" is impressive. The construction of a beautiful melody has been remarkably expressed as much as possible in their initial works. It might be a tune where the culture of Italy and the music character were splendidly expressed. The impression of the album is decided to the flow of a flute in close relation to Strings and a gentle rhythm.

The flavor of the band in Italy appears completely in "Credo". The song and the chorus are one of the flavors of them. The melody that flows gently has a good sense of relief. Part where classic element is introduced. The usage of Strings might be suitable for the tune. It is a tune where a sense of relief and a transparent feeling were remarkably expressed.

As for "Una Storia Che Fa Ridere", the melody of the ballade with which expression of feelings overflows is impressive. The performance of the band that emphasizes an acoustic part as much as possible is calm. The interpretation of an original melody of the band in Italy is expressed well. The progress of a beautiful melody and Chord is developed as much as possible.

As for "Oceano", the song and the melody to give expression to one's feelings intensely are moving. A piano melody performs beautiful Chord. The tune performs a moving melody and gives expression to one's feelings while introducing a classic performance. The melody that Strings does is very moving. The rhythm joins on the way and the tune reaches the peak further. There might be transient expression of feelings.

A pastoral song and the melody give "Fantasia" the relief. The flow and the song that excludes decorated sound and is performed because of a minimum sound might have the part of Folk. A pastoral melody rules the whole as much as possible. Room to establish one shape as Euro Rock will be felt by me.

"Eleonora,Mia Madre" is a ballade with which expression of feelings to make good use of minor Chord overflows. The part of the obbligati of Strings and the expression of feelings appear well. An original music character of Italy has gone out of this tune as a result. Part that temporarily changes tempo of part and tune to exclude rhythm. The composition arranges a beautiful melody and the rhythm as much as possible.

A beautiful piano melody and the song pull the tune to "1966". Melody of moving chorus. Using majors Chord and minor Chord properly might be good. Development to recollect Acqua Fragile is a little splendid. And, the tune makes feelings revealing and receives the top. And, the impression of the tune is decided to the expression of feelings melody faced again.

It is a tune to emphasize the part of "Orient Express" overall, pastoral Folk. Part of Chord of beautiful guitar. The melody of Strings and a gentle song gives the listener the relief. The composition of the tune that completely excludes the rhythm might show the feature of this album.

"Il Tempo,Una Donna,La Citta" is a tune that a classic element and Rock of Italy unite splendidly. Melody of moving Strings. Song that let one's feelings show and gentle piano melody. Part of calculated chorus. Melody to emphasize sense of relief and transparent feeling. The flavor of Euro Rock is completely expressed.

They have them refine music further in the age. However, the content of the work at this time that they did might surely be beautiful. It is indispensable existence when talking about the history of the band in Italy.

Well, well, well, this is probably the most beautiful Pooh's record.

In fact it was the least successfull of all their 70s productions. Almost nobody remebers nowadays a single track of it. In fact no hits were then picked off it.

The best thing is that the full orchestral arrangements are finally equaled by the typical sympho-rock instruments: mellotron, clavinet, minimoog, harpsichord and celesta.

Warning: don't assume that the band changed their mood (I won't be responsible for such a mistake... I won't give you compensation...); the band only went further, from the starting point album Parsifal. So, what we have here is still melodic and soft sympho-prog. Don't expect surprises... after all this is not the place where exigent prog lovers' ears have to search for. I'd say that Pooh play a "home-is-where-the-heart-is" pop-rock. That's it.

But now, I have to be honest with you all: the music of this band has become more serious, deep, extended. In other words: the apex of Pooh's sympho-pop with more than a simple prog touch... without a doubt.

It's not a case that the album opens with the sweet notes of PRELUDIO like in every respectable classic opera.

It's not a case that some expert reviewer has already pointed out some Puccini's hints in keyboardist Roby Facchinetti.

Wonderful opener, by the way, powerful and sweet orchestral movement with slight crescendo and drumming in the second part.

The prelude carries the listener to CREDO ("I believe"), an exciting piece that alternates strong orchestral sound (with also some absolutely good ahhhh ahhhh choruses) with a more rythmic part (mid-paced: excellent bass). Powerful vocals by Roby Facchinetti himself.

Una Storia che Fa Ridere ("a story that makes laugh") is somehow a step below ... so let me jump to the fourth track: OCEANO.

Wonderful. One of the highlights of the entire album. A solitary man sailing far from home, has to face (and taste) what real infinite seascapes mean... this one has a strong prog structure with orchestral shifting moods and uptempos. Harpsichord appears for the first time ever. A shady number with wonderful touches of electrig guitar here and there by Dodi Battaglia and a shocking (typically orchestral) outro... Wow!!

The next one FANTASIA is a gentle melody with acoustic guitar... good but nothing spectacular... let's jump again.

What follows is still another gem: MEDITERRANEO, the second and last instrumental track of the album, as the opener. Completely different though. Folk structure: acoustic guitar and mandolin plus delicate xylophone (and some low fleeting orchestral movements). Simple melody but superb delicate performance. It tastes really of mediterranean sea,oregano and small islands. Bells also in the final part. To be heard!

Now it's the time of ELEONORA, MIA MADRE, the first track penned (and sung) by drummer Stefano D'Orazio. Someone described it as "a decadent melodic portait"... it certainly would have pleased big shots of the end of the XIX century ... (Oscar Wilde, fort instance). Wonderful the two parts' interchange (song and classical sad ballad...). Somehow obsessive and delicate at the very same time!

The album still stands high with the track named 1966: emotional, aching ... by many considered the best one ... who can say... it features tasteful sparse moog, mellotron and wonderful guitar solos. Romantic in its essence... amazing harpsichord in the final part!

ORIENT EXPRESS is a nice tune but nothing special... it remebers me of LATTE E MIELE's Passio Secundum Mattheum... but probably it remains the least interesting. Another sweet and delicate melody, though... (good enough for another romantic dinner ...).

IL TEMPO, UNA DONNA, LA CITTA' ... that's the longest (over 10 mns) and proggiest track... for the nth time... it's the album's closer (as usual in most part of the Pooh's discography).

An epic number, as expressive as the Parsifal song of the previous record. Less joyful, though... darker somehow... wonderful flutes emerge from the orchestral sweet chaos... and then, after over two minutes of mysterious intro... the song begins.

A similar outro (other 2 minutes) closes the album after enigmatic and poetic lyrics: "the air closes to silence, then a cloud of dust is raised around us. I close my eyes, then I open them and...".

What is in the middle you ask... I say a wonderful masterwork, in my humble opinion: electric, acoustic and classic guitars, flutes, moog, strings, gong... great vocals sung by three of the band's members.

A simple phrase to describe the song: "iniquitous as only time can be" (as they sing in the track). Surely, a great satisfying experience. Thanks God, Pooh did it!

Today I also closed my eyes, opened and ...

Shouldn't care much about this Italian act, cause their material was largely Pop-oriented.Haven't sinked deep into their music, but reputedly several albums of them had proggy leanings with ''Un po' del nostro tempo migliore'' being the most progressive one.Hailing from Bologna and starting around 1966, they recorded mostly for the Vedette and CBS labels.Roby Facchinetti (vocals, keyboards), Mario Goretti (guitar), Mauro Bertoli (guitar), Riccardo Fogli (bass, vocals) and Valerio Negrini (drums) was the original crew, Bertoli left in 1968 and the following year Goretti was replaced by Dodi Battaglia.In 1971 Stefano D'Orazio became the drummer of the band with Negrini remaininig the main lyricist.Fogli left in 1973 to pursue a personal career and he was replaced by ex-Capsicum Red Red Canzian.''Un po' del nostro tempo migliore'' was released in 1975.

This album by I Pooh sounds like a typical Orchestral Pop affair from the early-70's, I think it's often mistaken as a Prog Rock album, because it sounds no cheesy at all plus it was a bit more guitar-oriented than most albums of the style, avoiding the dives into syrupy melodies and hillarious vocal arrangements.Instead the material here is extremely polished and refined with light Classical influnces, well-performed orchestrations, decent guitar and keyboard work and some soft, progressive sensibilties.But this also remains vastly a more Pop-oriented album with lack of trully devastating instrumental passages, being strongly vocal-based and centering the whole concept around melodious themes and variations.Orchestral moves and Soft Rock moments are the leading styles, the band did a great job on both acoustic and electric moments (the combination of which recalls a bit of RICARDO ZAPPA's works) and the music flows nice and easy.At the end of the album it is placed their most ambitious attempt, the 11-min. ''Il tempo, una donna, la citta'', a good effort on Orchestral Rock with sentimental and romantic vocals, pronounced electric guitars, dominant piano themes and grandiose string arrangements.Sweet, emotional and well-crafted stuff.

I Pooh have sold over 100 milion records throughout their career, marking them as one of the top Italian Pop bands.They perform regularly nowadays with drummer Steve Ferrone having replaced Stefano D'Orazio since 2009.

Accesible Orchestral/Pop/Prog.With a strongly Classical background and the secure case of melodic vocal- and musical themes they went for another hit in their career.Will be appreciated by fans of Italian Music and gentle semi-Prog Rock...2.5 stars.