P.F.M.?P.F.M.!

 I think when heard Photos of ghosts and related to Appena un po',I thought was missing something but when listening to those over a period of time I kinda adjusted to their differences. Correct me if I got the two songs wrong as know there's one called River of Live which is absolutely fab and Per un amico just as well. But my fave of all days would have to be Impressioni di Settembre.

Russiandude wrote: "Are there any other (free) resources on the net, which allow to get acquainted with this band closer?"

Checkout the excellent site: www.gaudela.net/pfm/

and the official pfm site: www.pfmpfm.it

for more details of the band.

Threefates wrote:

I guess I've always admired Pete's sense of imagination and whimsy.. he really does have the heart of a wizard actually

I also believe Sinfield is a great lyricist, but he's BRITISH and has a different perspective of life and music than the Italians, he could translate the lyrics with his talent and a bit of effort, but he did the easy thing and created a new set of lyrics instead of doing research.

The music was created from an Italian perspective and the lyrics in Italian, that's why they fit into that atmosphere, this doesn't happen with the English lyrics. Why can't English speakers listen music in other languages if the rest of the world listens lyrics in English? Music and lyrics are two sides of the same coin, they only have sense if done together.

There's absolutely no relation with a song named La Luna Nuova (The New Moon) and the absurd title Four Holes in the Ground, it's simply ridiculous.

Great music has to stay in original language (IMHO). Imagine La Traviata or Tanheuser translated to English because Americans and British don't understand Italian and German, all the world will consider this butchering the operas, I believe prog' music deserves the same treatment.

Threefates wrote:

However, that being said... even tho Isola di Niente was the first PFM album released in Italian after they joined Manticore Records, it was not released on Manticore and it was only released in Italy.

That's my point, La Isola Di Niente was released in Italian because that's the way the authors believed it should be and Manticore refused to distribute an album in Italian, but they were practically forced to make a bad translation named The World Became the World.

I would accept that Sinfield would have TRANSLATED the lyrics, respecting the titles of album and songs, even when I believe it's not the right option, but to sacrifice lyrics and titles is simply illogical and IMHO butchering the original concept.

Iván

Actually I have no problem understanding the title of the album.. I think its in relation to PFM coming from what they're world was...Italy... into the real world... the planet.  At the time, they also thought that changing their lyrics to English would bring them out in the world.. they wanted worldwide recognition and this is how they went about it.  As far as Sinfield butchering... I guess I've always admired Pete's sense of imagination and whimsy.. he really does have the heart of a wizard actually... and I've always been able to read between his lines.  So I didn't consider it butchering.. altho I don't understand why they just didn't create new songs.. instead of changing the words to ones already recorded.

However, that being said... even tho Isola di Niente was the first PFM album released in Italian after they joined Manticore Records, it was not released on Manticore and it was only released in Italy.  Photo of Ghosts.. on Manticore was released in the UK, France & Italy.  My copy actually came from the Manticore NY offices...

Actually I agree that, well actually I'm not sure, how I feel about Pete Sinfield's english lyrics for PFM.  It was somewhat easier to enjoy them when the words were in English, just because I enjoy a good lyric. 

But I don't agree that he changed their sound to be more ELP like.  Photo of Ghosts (1973) was their first album on Manticore.. and it doesn't sound unlike Per Un Amico... I think maybe their move to England and their touring in the States might be more responsible for a change in their sound.  As I recall, they spent a lot of time partying in the beginning and listening to other bands... even hanging around ELP's time in the Cinema.  I think the change in environment was a big factor.

To me, the first noticeable change in their style I believe was on "The World Became the World" from 1974.  I didn't find it ELP sounding tho.. maybe more King Crimson...afterall I think Mel Collins played with them awhile also.  In 1974, they toured with Ten Years After... they're lucky they had a sound after that...

Oh, and by the way, I'm a huge, devoted MARILLION fan!!! (preferably just the Fish era like I've mentioned before )

Regards!

From what I've heard--an excellent band. However, my personal knowledge of PFM is limited to a few random songs which is still enough, neverthelss, to make a conclusion about their superb musicmanship. Are there any other (free) resources on the net, which allow to get acquainted with this band closer? 

Everyone:

The first three Italian albums "Storia Di Un Minuto", "Per Un Amico" and "L'Isola Di Niente" are superb in my opinion, and good examples of very melodious symphonic Progressive Rock.

Having said that, I also like some of their later stuff too, even if it is much less progressive and more pop music. I like the track Suonare Suonare (from the album of the same title) very much. But I judge albums based on whether I like the music, not on whether they are 'progressive' (no gibe intended).

landberkdoten wrote: Certif1ed wrote: I think it's rubbish and I don't like it. Compared to? I think of PFM as precursors of not only well crafted symphonic prog rock, but of elegant and determinat musical instrumentation. Some of their releases may be disregarded if you wish, but the early works and years of the band where a definitive point of departure for most of the bands to come. PFM is an underrated band, like most of what it's done surrounding the Italian Symphonic Prog (e.g. Museo Rosenbach, Quella Vecchia Locanda, Consorzio Acqua Potabile, etc) where the only remains of proper recognition set off in names like BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO and Le ORME. Peace!

Heh! Sorry, Land - I guess you weren't following the Marillion thread in the "Currently Listening to" section.

Actually, if you read my post, I do not refer to PFM - and neither does the original question. I just felt the need to be a bit controversial to underline the point I was making in that other discussion.

For the record, I have yet to form an opinion on PFM, as I have only heard the 3 sample tracks. However, as an avid consumer of all things musical, I will get around to it.

Marcelo wrote: Since Passpartu, unfortunately, just a poor commercial band (specially, last two studio albums are terrible)

I agree Marcelo... maybe they turned commercial due the exigencies of modern life or... they just growing older