Ahhhhh...O-SA-N-NA!

Very heavy, very busy, but very lyrical and very impressive sound, in spite of their first album. This is the real Rock Progressivo Italiano!

Very interesting product for me. Why is it so? Of course, not because they mimiced a famous hard rock band humbly on the sleeve picture of the album. :P I've never seen an album or a story that has each song with mixture of Italian and English. (It's common there are only one or two language-crossover songs but exactly rare the whole album is mixture of some languages.) Their bluntness I'm always absolutely knocked out. Naturally, their force and power would be brought to the further works. In lots of reasons, this album is well worth listening for RPI fans. Trust me!

I trust you dude hahaha...  out of curiousity though.. who is it you think they are mimicking?

and a new reviewer sticks his head out here... with a great album to announce his presence with authority.. not to mention a keen understanding of just what RPI is..

welcome to the site Big O

Early transitional artist

Fabio Celi e Gli Infermieri are considered to be historically significant in the Italian prog universe because their album was made in 1969, making it one of the earliest entries of the RPI movement. Depending on the source you believe however it may not have been released until years later—Scented Garden’s claims it was not released until 1973 due to the lyrics controversy and even then not allowed in record shops or radio. Croce’s page says it was issued in ’69 so I really don’t know. The band were from the Naples area and released a single before changing the name and releasing a full length album. The 5-piece band’s sound is heavily ruled by the twin-keyboards of Celi and Ciro Ciscognetti and the often outrageous vocals of Celi. The group obviously is influenced by British psych-pop of the 60s and would be inconsequential at PA if not for their excursions toward the progressive scene. They did this by extending the song lengths to the 5-7 minute range and using more complicated arrangements and parts. You can hear the pop structure clearly but you can also hear each player beginning to stretch out significantly via elaborate keyboard runs, long guitar solos, and some pretty cool drum fills. The vocals are also more theatrical and daring. Yet still it is a bridge band well short of anything happening in the classic RPI years of 72-74. Don’t expect this to be rattle your cage to the extent of “Ys” or “Palepoli.” I would say it reminds me a bit of a Yes’ “Looking Around” or “I See You” from the first album—but with Cherry 5 performing it instead of Yes. How’s that for a convoluted description?

But given the disclaimers above this is actually a pretty solid psych-flavored pop/rock sound. “Follia” apparently means “crazy” or “folly” and there is a clear streak of rebelliousness running throughout, some of the lyrics were banned on Italian television it is said. Italianprog.com notes that the stage act was pretty outrageous as well with Celi being carried onstage in a coffin and wearing a straightjacket during the final number. Highlights of the album include the title track which features Celi breaking into an unbelievably obnoxious, forced laughter after each repetition of the word “Follia.” This occurs over and over and certainly will be enough to drive your wife and children from the house. Oddly I have taken to the song and consider it highly memorable which was perhaps Celi’s intent. The album in full features an excellent blend of piano and organ as a backdrop to the rock and roll and from there often throws in the psych electric leads. Vocals are present on all tracks I believe and Celi’s style almost seems spoken sometimes though he is clearly singing, it’s an odd voice surely but not unpleasant to me. I can understand anyone who does get irritated from them though as they are strange. “Uomo Cosa Fai” has a very cool opening that is tight and definitely prog but then slides into a rather bland ballady chorus. Sometimes the rhythms can be a bit static and slip into that “60s spy tv show theme” but eventually it does break and there are plenty of interesting change-ups. The Mellow reissue includes only the original lyrics reprinted from the album and no other Bio information. The CD does include two decent bonus tracks recorded originally from 1971 with mostly the same line-up. The album was reissued in ‘73 or ’74 but Celi never made another album in those fruitful years.

Italian hippie-rock with female English vocals

Circus 2000 from Turin formed in 1970 and released two full length albums along with a few singles before disbanding in 1973. While I have not heard their debut this album seems to be influenced by the Airplane and the California hippie rock sound. Another band that they instantly reminded me of was Earth and Fire mostly due to the similar voice of Silvana Aliotta. Her voice is pure unbridled attitude, sultry and sensual, with a bit of an accent to add to the effect. Some may find her voice a bit irritating at times as it is unusual but if you like the singers of the bands above you should be OK.

The music of “An Escape From A Box” is not essential progressive music by any stretch, but period hippie rock complete with stereotypical lyrics and trippy guitars. I would almost describe the sound as more psych-blues-rock than space rock or pure psych, they head off occasionally into Big Brother territory as well. The band is pretty good with crisp drumming and an edgy guitar sound and thankfully they take some space and stretch out at times. It always sort of holds back from becoming super-heavy with plenty of light touches. The nearly 9 minute “Need” is the standout to me. These single notes drenched in wah-wah alternated with three concise strummed chords, cleanly played, alternating with Silvana’s amazing vocal. Several sections of bluesy, trippy guitar soloing here and there. Then there is an emotional vocal build-up that leads into a spacey section of rapid bass/drums over wordless vocals harmonies before some tablas softly finish the track. Some moments like the early acoustic parts of “Hey Man” have a folkie feel to them sounding a bit like the Dead when Donna would sing. The album packs a nice, polished, crisp sound for 1972 and I can’t emphasize enough the good balance they achieve between “light” and “heavy” moments. As good as Silvana is she does not overshadow the players in the band who shine by not only what the play but the manner in which they play: careful, nuanced, effectively. [Side note: Silvana’s daughter Valeria Caponnetto Delleani can be heard on myspace. Her music is not nearly as interesting as Circus 2000 but her voice is good like her mom.]

Circus 2000 is a very good period album and you do not have to be an Italian Prog fan to enjoy this. Any fan of British and American hippie rock will do fine with this album. Even fans of acid-folk like the Holderlin’s Traum debut should like this, although Circus 2000 is heavier than that. The VM-015 issue features good sound but measly information, simply a foldover insert with lyrics and miniscule bio in Italian.