JESAHEL / KINGS ROAD

The single that broke the band from modestly successful to huge stars in Italy and Europe. They made the finals of the Sanremo festival in 1972 with this song, and it was partly the springboard that made the RPI scene take off from the heads and freaks and become better accepted into the houses of normal folks. This song hit number one in Italian charts in 1972, with the heavy flute and distinctive vocals of frontman Ivano Fossati.

There are some who call this out of character for the band, but in reality the essence of what made them what they were is contained in under four minutes here. Simple, catchy with acoustic guitar, repetitive and trance inducing chanting touches on almost liturgical moods. I've played this song for several people who have no idea who they are, and a common reaction is along the lines of "this is powerful and I don't know why but I like it" and "I feel like I am in church getting changed" It will get inside your head and not leave.

Does it have the swirling prog attributes of symphonic Italian rock? No. Would it fit perfectly on their Dolce Acqua album? Absolutely. Like the Beatles, Delirium hid some of their magical stuff on 45.

The b-side, King's Road, will please more prog fans-instrumental and complicated, it shows where they can go as musicians if they aren't constrained by pop expectations. String section and piano introduction lead to an energetic ELP-ish piano/bass/drums jazz workout with an extended flute solo and then mellotron led outro. Similar to some early instrumental Focus. When you say Delirium in Italy, Jesahel is the one song that people remember.

Highly recommended. 5 stars.