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The Italian Prog Appreciation den |
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Todd 
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RPI / Heavy Prog Team Joined: December 19 2007 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 3472 |
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 Posted: October 26 2010 at 23:44 |
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Enjoy, Mark! What a great thing it is to discover RPI. And the really great thing is you never, ever get to the bottom of it.
I've been enjoying PFM's new one--I didn't think I'd like it as much as I do, given the poor ratings/reviews. Not as good as "Stati," but really really good. Definitely worth it!
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seventhsojourn
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Honorary Collaborator Joined: December 11 2009 Location: . Status: Offline Points: 4006 |
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 04:48 |
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Just waiting for this one to drop through my letter box: La pulce d'acqua
Angelo Branduardi Rock Progressivo Italiano Review by kenethlevine  Parting the curtain behind the big 3 or so progressive ensembles to come out of Italy in the 1970s, one of course discovers a myriad of other agglomerations of varying longevity. But minimal research unveils solo performers who achieved considerable popular recognition in their day, at least in their homeland if not throughout Europe. At the risk of unfairly applying a broad brush, these artists would be in the crossover prog of RPI, even if most of their fans can't spell prog. I certainly don't profess to know more than a few, with FRANCO BATTIATO first coming to mind; admittedly his earlier work was more avant garde before he tasted mass success in the 80s. Following close behind is ANGELO BRANDUARDI, who is blessed with a better singing voice and comes across as Italy's answer to CHRISTY MOORE (a contemporary), with a folky, generally gentle and string heavy quality that grows and grows in my estimation. Top notch melodies that are both simple and challenging may have something to do with this.
While the album is generally placid, there are some uptempo tracks, with the 7 minute opener being the most impressive of these, replete with a bagpipe fashioned segment alternating with a decidedly celtic melody in the verse. It brings to mind Quebecois music of that era, such as LE REVE DU DIABLE, and also venerable Brits the ALBION BAND and even the Breton ensemble TRI YANN, but this is a lot more measured and subtle. Both "Il poeta di corte" and the title cut are lively ditties that graft stereotypical Italian music onto Branduardi's own branches, and evoke STEFANO TESTA's most impressive one-off. "La Sposa Rubata" and "Il Poeta di Corte" are slower pieces that might have a less patient listener hitting the next button, but they are worth the effort. Even the closing piece with its by then decade-old pyschedelic flourishes is enhanced by his own poignant violin, other strings and a traditional styled tune. Quality and profound caring are graciously offered on this 70s release that is recommended to fans of classy soft folk rock and/or RPI aficionados. |
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topographicbroadways
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Joined: May 20 2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 5575 |
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 06:05 |
yes i ended listening to a few of the late 70s PFM albums and quite enjoyed the more jazz fusion sound they put forward and will definitely consider delving further along their discography, even with the bad reviews they have of almost everything after jet lag |
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Andrea Cortese
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Posted: October 27 2010 at 15:20 |
I love this album; probably his best. The opening is really impresive. There's also a video of Ballo on Branduardi's page...
Edited by Andrea Cortese - October 27 2010 at 15:21 |
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toroddfuglesteg
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Posted: October 29 2010 at 11:05 |
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I am listening to the Tempo Delle Clessidre album now (the first listening session) and I think it is fair to say that Christmas has come early for the RPI fan. This album has to be heard to be believed.
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Nightfly
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Honorary Collaborator Joined: August 01 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 3659 |
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Posted: October 29 2010 at 13:07 |
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^ I agree Torodd, what a brilliant album!
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Nightfly
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Posted: October 30 2010 at 10:26 |
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Vault Pick: A band that seems to divide opinions but this is one of their best IMO.....
Is that the gnashing of Jim's teeth I can hear?
  Review by Sean Trane SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog-Folk Specialist  Fifth album from this veteran group that will be lasting unusually long and will produce shorter-lived offshoots. The New Trolls appeared in 67 as a psychedelic group releasing hard blues-rock singles (and later compiled into their second eponymous album), before releasing the first concept album of the peninsula (even if it is a bit confused and not really prog). From 71 onwards, NT will hit their stride with Concerto Grosso, Searching For A land and this album, usually considered their best, Ut; NT's rock is now full-blown progressive rock with lots of classical influences. Not really lucky with its incredibly bland outer artwork, slightly better with the innerfold, the group develops a surprisingly tough-sounding hard-progging symphonic music and there is again little doubt who's the leader of the group: singing lead guitarist Nico Di Palo, but he is well seconded by keyboardist Maurizio Salvi, which comes in handy since second guitarist Vittorio De Scalzi is quite discreet on this album - he would leave soon after this album's release. In some ways this is even more metallic than the huge sound of the De De Lind album
Opening on a gong-bang, the album is strongly heading into a deeply rich classical piano piece, which will be followed by another bong of the gang (you knew this was coming, didn't you ;-) and the piano leading into a short head-twisting instrumental (22nd Century) full-speed ahead, all sails deployed scorcher. Horseman Of Lake Ontario is quite a different ride starting smoothly, after a marching drum (and ending in one too) but soon the two guitars are adopting Led Sabbath stances (hinting at the flipside's epic), but the end of the track is dominated by constant key changes. The following Foglia is starting out on acoustic guitar and delicate vocals, maintaining throughout the song, and even though Di Palo pulls in some lovely electric leads, this could be the album's weakest point. Nato Adesso is more of a Focus-type of number with Di Palo sounding like Jan Akkerman in a lengthy jazzy solo while Salvi pulls in the Strings ARP synth lines behind it. Excellent. The flipside starts out on the monstrous Troppa Guerra, with its Iommi-esque guitar riffs and often trading space with more pastoral moments; the many different parts mesh well into each other and can make the unaware a bit dizzy. This is one of Italy's prog more surprising song and the second highlight of the album. The next two tracks are a little too close to Santana's later syrupy ballads (including at times Di Palo sounding like Carlos) for my liking, even if in P&F the long guitar solo butters it up a bit too thickly on a thin slice of bread. The closing Capire (who'll understand me?) is filled with ARP strings layers and delves a bit too much aerial not to be taken as second-rate Santana This album will be their last one before their temporary split in 73, leading to legal name problems and into different offshoots (Tritons, Ibis and NT Atomic System and other projects), before getting back together in 76, but they will fail to recapture their former brilliance. While this album has some particularly superb moments, the album has also its weaker points, even if the Santana-esque ending can be easily over-looked. Very much worth the discovery. |
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Andrea Cortese
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Posted: October 31 2010 at 03:10 |
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^^^
UT is my favourite one also. Wonderful album, indeed. I know that it didn't please the first hour fans then and the fans of Concerto Grosso in particular but - honestly - UT is far better than any Concerto Grosso.
Searching for a Land is instead bland and tasteless.
And what about the other N.T.' s members projects after the 1973 split?
I love Atomic System more than Ibis' Sun Supreme. Edited by Andrea Cortese - October 31 2010 at 03:19 |
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American Khatru
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Joined: March 28 2009 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 732 |
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Posted: October 31 2010 at 04:17 |
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^^^
Here here.
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 Why must my spell-checker continually underline the word "prog"? |
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Nightfly
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Honorary Collaborator Joined: August 01 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 3659 |
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Posted: October 31 2010 at 10:14 |
I tend to share your opinion of Searching For a Land. It has a few decent moments but overall a bit of a mish mash.
Love Ibis' Sun Supreme - much better than the follow up actually but I must confess to not having heard NTAS. I must get hold of that one soon.
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Finnforest
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Honorary Collaborator Joined: February 03 2007 Location: The Heartland Status: Offline Points: 17258 |
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Posted: October 31 2010 at 12:02 |
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Il Tempio delle Clessidre Il Tempio delle Clessidre Rock Progressivo Italiano
Review by
toroddfuglesteg
— First review of this album —
Well......... I am suppose to write something, but I have now started this review five times
and used the erase button every single time. This is my sixth time and although this may
not be an review Ernest Hemingway would have written, I will crack on. The reason is not technical malfunctions with ProgArchives. The reasons for my start and erase attempts is this album itself. Let me explain......... Il Tempo Delle Clessidre has very probably taken the bandname from a Museo Rosenbach title. In any case, the vocalist on this album is Stefano "Lupo" Galifi, the vocalist in the above mentioned classic RPI band. You know by then that you are in for something really special, vocal wise. And you are right. The vocals are absolute mind-blowing brilliant. Explanation needed....... Stefano sings in a lyrical, very melodic way with a very distinct delivery of the Italian words. He can be harsh, he can be tender. His vocals is in short the sound of the RPI scene, anno 1975. But his vocals does not matter much if the music is not at the same high standards as his. O holy mackerel.......... O holy mackerel.......... O holy mackerel.......... To my eternal delight and jaw dropping surprise, the music is at the same high standard as Stefano's vocals. This album is by no means a famous vocalist & a band. This album is the creation of Il Tempo Delle Clessidre. There is no weakness to detect at all. Where do I start ? Well, with the instrumentation and sound for example. You get the beloved sound you would get from bands like Museo Rosenbach, Osanna, PFM and Biglietto. That means vintage keyboards, haunting electric guitars, good acoustic guitars, thundering bass and drums. Everything delivered with the highest quality possible by some very experienced and skilled musicians. In short, the sound is a solid RPI smorgasboard which will send any RPI fans into fits of pure joy. The music is a healthy mix of lyrical ballads and some majestic, heavy songs. There is even a bonus track here which is attached to the final song here with a one minute long break. A great song btw so don't turn of the music rack before you have heard this song. In short; the songs are very typical RPI songs. The quality......... well you may have noticed that I regard this as a masterpiece. Not only that; this album goes into my top ten list of the best ever RPI albums from year 1900 to this day. The opening two minutes of this album really sets the tone with Verso l'Alba. By then, your ears would had been on full alert when listening to this majestic song. It is pure brilliance from start to the end. I can run through the songs one by one. But that is not my style. I would rather mention the highlights. A song like the majestic and eerie Danza Esoterica di Datura. Or the best song on this album; Il Centro Sottile. This album is also backed up with a brilliant booklet. Just to repeat myself; this album goes into my list of the best ever RPI albums. It is therefore a masterpiece in my view and a worthy five stars album. 5 stars |
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...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell"
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toroddfuglesteg
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Retired Joined: March 04 2008 Location: Retirement Home Status: Offline Points: 3658 |
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Posted: October 31 2010 at 12:23 |
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.....One of the starts of the review I erased was when I started to compare it with a good bottle of burgundy red wine or a good whisky. It is a good description of this album though, although I no longer drink alcohol.
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seventhsojourn
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Honorary Collaborator Joined: December 11 2009 Location: . Status: Offline Points: 4006 |
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Posted: October 31 2010 at 12:25 |
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Superb review, torodd! A very exciting release... hopefully my copy should arrive from Black Widow within the next few days.
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Andrea Cortese
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Posted: November 01 2010 at 07:34 |
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^^^ Great review indeed.
I'd do better order a copy too!
Back to New Trolls... who have listened to their 1976 live?
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toroddfuglesteg
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Posted: November 01 2010 at 09:13 |
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I just got the remaining Finisterre studio albums delivered to my office. I already have that Il Limini or whatever and I am really looking forward to listen to the other ones and Limini. That live album on MoonJune is excellent.
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Andrea Cortese
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Posted: November 01 2010 at 10:19 |
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^^^
I don't have In Limine. The only Finisterre album I own is In Ogni Luogo (1999) and I don't like it that much. Edited by Andrea Cortese - November 01 2010 at 16:04 |
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Todd
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RPI / Heavy Prog Team Joined: December 19 2007 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 3472 |
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Posted: November 01 2010 at 15:48 |
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In Limine is much better than In Ogni Luogo--actually, all their other albums are better than that one, in my opinion.
I haven't heard the New Trolls live material, but I really like UT, Atomic System, ?, and Sun Supreme. I also love Tempi Dispari, and the Concerti Grossi are pretty good too. I even don't mind Searching for a Land, although it isn't nearly as good as the other albums.
I've been enjoying Germinale's albums lately, especially their 1995 album, E il suo respiro ancora agita le onde. Wonderful, pastoral stuff, and highly recommended if you like refined RPI.
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Todd
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RPI / Heavy Prog Team Joined: December 19 2007 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 3472 |
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Posted: November 01 2010 at 17:22 |
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Attention RPI fans: Greg Walker (www.synphonic.8m.com) just got his shipment today from Black Widow, so Il Tempio delle Clessidre is available from him!
My copy is happily on its way...
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seventhsojourn
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Posted: November 01 2010 at 17:44 |
The first album is excellent... planning to review that one soon. Got one or two other things on the go before I get around to it though.
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opethpainter
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Joined: February 27 2010 Location: Paris, France Status: Offline Points: 30 |
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Posted: November 01 2010 at 18:43 |
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I just wrote down some lines about the recent Celeste 4-CD boxset.
Read them here, if you like :-) |
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Todd wrote: