All Prog From Italy Appreciation Thread

Soon the album became very popular in Italy mainly due to the new role for the acoustic and classic guitars. The first time in prog: classic guitar in such a venerable work. The listener is completely bown away by all these five compositions. There are not many comparisons to be made. Many prog artists are famous for their instrumental-based works, as for example Mike Oldfield and Bo Hansson. None of them sounds like Zappa. None in particular in none of other sub-genre of prog sounds like him. He was an extraordinary discovery for me. I'm sure it'll be an incredible experience also for you all. His first solo work is a must have for any good prog lover. Also for the wonderful and delicate mix between classic and modern side of music.

Near the end of the opener ... wow!!! an incredible guitar's effect (bagpipes!).

Their forgotten gem!

Delirium III, also known as “Viaggio negli Arcipelaghi del Tempo” (Journey through the Archipelagos of Time), is their magnus opus, their masterpiece. I know many people say that only their debut album reached the masterpiece status. In my humble opinion they're wrong. I agree that “Dolce Acqua” was released very soon, in 1971, and is one of the first progressive albums in the italian prog scene. After Ivano Fossati left the band, they started to concentrate more in prog and the improvement is well evident in their second record titled “Lo Scemo e il Villaggio” (The Fool and the Village), issued in 1972. But it's only wih their third 1974's work that they thouched the apex! What a great album! More varied and complicated. Without frills. New characters and instruments enter in the songs' structure along with flute and acoustic guitars: mellotron and sax. The result is an original and wonderful work. If you wish to find some comparisons you should go for an original mix between early King Crimson and Jethro Tull, with some references to Van Der Graaf, sometimes, and some jazzy flashes! Also two or three (great) appearences of violin.

Their music is not the most complicated from the RPI scene but certainly has elements of peculiarity and uniqueness that should have guarantee a more wider recognition. Unfortunately this wasn't enough to permit the release of a follow up. So, another excellent source of prog, suddenly, dried up.

The songs' patterns never tend to leave the “commercial” mood. This is the main feature, I think. The amazing mix between the folk-(light)-symphonic prog and the rough, deep and romantic vocals create an unique experience, somehow in a similar vein to the contemporary band Jumbo, even if without the vocal (and lyrical) excesses of mr. Alvaro Fella. In fact, generally, Odissea are more mellow and delicate in each of the eight compositions, thanks to a remarkable use of mellotron, piano and organ and the inspiring interplay of the electric guitar! Just listen to the excellent “Unione” (6,06 mns) or to “Crisalide” (4,45 mns) or to the mellotron's explosions in “Voci” (4,04 mns) or to the fast and furious drumming closer “Conti e Numeri” (4,33 mns).