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Finnforest View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 17 2009 at 10:04
Mike,
 
Great to hear!!  I too find the Italian language perfect for prog rock to the point where I now prefer it to English.  It has such a warmth and yet also a good punch to it, and I'm not distracted by the vocals as I am with English vocals which I try hard to tune out.  Or at least I try to tune out the message of the lyrics and just listen to the singers voice itself, like an instrument. 
 
Battiato, can't help you.  I haven't dove into those albums yet, but one of the other guys will eventually help you out. 
 
Dig deep, there's plenty there to enjoy, and try a review sometime.  You'll get the hang of it. Smile
...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell"
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 17 2009 at 11:03
My understanding is that Pollution is the most accessible of Battiato's albums, but also the least representative.  I've actually only heard Fetus and Il Sulle Corde, both of which are similar and require even more attention and repetition than the typical prog album before they sink in.  But like many things in life, the more effort you put in, the more reward you get.
 
I will say that as much as I enjoy those Battiato albums, they are certainly not representative of the majority of RPI in my opinion.  So don't be put off by any "typical" RPI preconceptions you might have going in, or you may be disappointed. 
 
As far as RPI goes, the deeper you dig the more you find!  There is a seemingly endless supply of good if not great bands making music in Italy, from the late 60's to the present.  Enjoy!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 17 2009 at 11:17
FINALLY got my hands on Zarathustra by Museo Rosenbach... amazing stuff.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 17 2009 at 12:23
Originally posted by OzzProg OzzProg wrote:

FINALLY got my hands on Zarathustra by Museo Rosenbach... amazing stuff.
 
Ah yes . . .
 
If you like Zarathustra, be sure to try Osanna, Alphataurus, Semiramis, and Il Balletto di Bronzo (if you haven't already), some of the best of the wilder side of RPI.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 17 2009 at 13:05
I just heard Richard Cocciante's "Mu" for the first time.  I'm very impressed!  That's a really good album in the singer/songwriter style, with more than the average prog quotient for that type of album.  I think it's the only thing prog related he ever did, but it's a great album.  Paolo Rustichelli of "Opera Prima" fame plays keyboards.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 17 2009 at 18:42
Originally posted by infandous infandous wrote:

Not sure if I've posted here before, but I LOVE RPI.

However, I have a hard time writing reviews of it for some reason.  Maybe it's the fact that I don't know or understand the Italian language, or maybe it's the density of some of the music.  In any case, I understanding aside, I find Italian to be the most beautiful and well suited to "prog rock" languages in existence (with English close behind......but I suppose I'm biased there LOL).
...

Originally posted by Finnforest Finnforest wrote:

Mike,
 
Great to hear!!  I too find the Italian language perfect for prog rock to the point where I now prefer it to English.  It has such a warmth and yet also a good punch to it, and I'm not distracted by the vocals as I am with English vocals which I try hard to tune out.  Or at least I try to tune out the message of the lyrics and just listen to the singers voice itself, like an instrument. 
...

I listen to a lot of classical (compliments me proggy earholes!), and when it comes to opera it's Italy - and not just because they originated it.  Sort of a neighboring musical fact here I think.  It strikes home every time I hear opera in English; even the best is disconcerting by comparison.  Think of the languages' rhyme ability for instance - so many vowel endings and "musical" similarities.  No need to go into the long, proud poetical history.  Italian - it's the best.

Why must my spell-checker continually underline the word "prog"?

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 18 2009 at 03:00
Originally posted by Todd Todd wrote:

I just heard Richard Cocciante's "Mu" for the first time.  I'm very impressed!  That's a really good album in the singer/songwriter style, with more than the average prog quotient for that type of album.  I think it's the only thing prog related he ever did, but it's a great album.  Paolo Rustichelli of "Opera Prima" fame plays keyboards.
 
Congratulations Todd for your new status... Hoping to have it back to me... But here I want to talk about other things.

'Mu' is certainly a good album but no more Cocciante Prog product, although it has produced great music in the continuation of a career.

Interesting is also to rediscover the first album of De Gregori and Venditti () and Lucio Dalla , which although slightly Prog are excellent examples of RPI.

And this album Battiato deserves a great discovery:
 
 Musiche Per Il Film Su BENVENUTO CELLINI  by BATTIATO, FRANCO album cover Studio Album, 1990
3.83 | 2 ratings

 
Musiche Per Il Film Su BENVENUTO CELLINI
Franco Battiato Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by 1967/ 1976

4 stars 'Una Vita Scellerata' (eng: 'An Evil Life')... A definition for Benvenuto Cellini or Battiato's Music?

This album is the O.S.T. of a film about Benvenuto Cellini ((Florence, 3 November 1500 - Florence, 13 February 1571, a goldsmith, sculptor, Italian writer and artist) that is one of the most important Italian artist. In a certain sense Cellini and Battiato have too common points and for these reasons this album is extreme good also, if as me, you don't have see this film.

The music contained in this album is a mix between the experimental phase of Battiato's music (the 70's) and Vangelis. the song lenght are between 0'35'' and 3'12'' but most of them do not reach 2 mins. Battiato use the spirit of Vangelis and his style for to create the right climax, also if the songs present, in most cases, a single musical phrase. It is true that this album is very enjoyable, although not easy, and flows like a river when it arrives in the plain. In this album is the more serious and true Battiato that transpire.

I am not able to describe the songs because I am not a musician. But I am able to describe the power and the feelings of the songs. I think that, in first plan, Battato tried to carry Cellini in the XXth Century, and we at the time of Cellini. Only secondarily combined these transport in Benvenuto cellini's film. Clearly the two aspects interact perfectly.

In so doing Battiato was approached Vangelis but was able to carry even his music of the 70's in Classic Music field, without leaving his personal POP. And 'Musiche per il film su Benvenuto Cellini: Una Vita Scellerata'' (eng: 'Music for the film on Benvenuto Cellini: Am Evil Life'') probably is the more accessible (but not easy) Battiato's album.



Edited by 1967/ 1976 - July 18 2009 at 03:23
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 18 2009 at 07:59
 
 Capitolo 7  - Tra Le Antiche Mura by CASTELLO DI ATLANTE, IL album cover Studio Album, 2009
4.17 | 8 ratings

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Capitolo 7 - Tra Le Antiche Mura
Il Castello Di Atlante Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by Nightfly
Prog Reviewer

3 stars So far Capitolo 7 - Tra Le Antiche Mura remains my one and only encounter with Il Castello Di Atlante so I can't compare this with past albums. Nevertheless I found it an enjoyable enough listen to make me curious about their past work and will in time get round to checking out at least some of their previous 5 albums.

Overall it's a beautifully crafted album of Italian symphonic prog. The first couple of listens I was left a little underwhelmed by the experience, perhaps down to the fact that it moves along at a fairly subdued pace lacking highs and lows, no in your face bombastic moments to speak of. After a while though you realise therein lies its charms as the gentle melodies get under your skin, particularly second and third tracks, Malebolge and 19 minute epic Ancora Suonare Ancora Insieme which are superb pieces. The music is largely keyboard dominated ( including some nice organ work) with a generous helping of violin, electric guitar coming to the front occasionally too, more slow sustained note soloing than riffing. A competent rhythm section whilst never in your face keeps the mostly mid pace material moving along nicely. Even when the pace picks up a bit the music still retains a lazy flowing vibe lacking explosive dynamics. The vocals of Aldo Bergamini, not surprisingly sung in Italian are adequate though lacking the emotional qualities of say Francesco Di Giacomo of Banco for example.

In all an album worthy of the attention of Italian prog lovers but lacking the excitement of more recent RPI releases of the last year or so in my collection by the likes of Pandora and Il Bacio Della Medusa. 3 ½ stars.

...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell"
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 18 2009 at 08:01
 Ars Nova by ARS NOVA album cover Boxset/Compilation, 2002
2.00 | 1 ratings

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Ars Nova
Ars Nova Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by Todd
Collaborator Rock Progressivo Italiano!

— First review of this album —
2 stars Digging deep in the Mellow catalogue of Italian reissues is immensely satisfying. I've yet to find a bad album, and there have been some real gems unearthed (see Stefano Testa). One of the great things the label has done is find artists that never released albums during their existence but have singles or live recordings to their credit. ARS NOVA is such a band. Existing from 1974 through 1980 and revolving around the Piergiovanni brothers, ARS NOVA recorded two singles during their career. Neither of the singles is present on this album. Rather, there are eight live tracks (audio quality slightly above average for this type of live recording) and three studio tracks sequenced roughly chronologically (with one exception, as best I can tell). The opening track, "Introduzione," is a nice instrumental from the last iteration of the band, probably recorded around 1979, with emphasis on the keyboards and guitar. The next three tracks are live and appear to date to the band's beginning in 1974. On the first, "Immagine Onirica di un Amore al Quarzo," the keyboards provide a nice atmosphere, with bass and drums solid but not too creative. "Museo" follows with a nice atmospheric intro, then segues into hard rock. "Caligola" is more straightforward pop, although very pleasant. The fifth track, "Sogna," seems to be a studio track, although the production is so poor it could be live. It's really not very good! Tracks 6- 10 are live. The sixth track, "Messalina," is my favorite on the album. I love the guitar solo over the atmospheric keyboards, with the bass in a great groove. Lots of energy in this one. "Katia e il Protettore," is another good song that has a nice hooky theme and an extended drum solo. The rest of the album is pop with little prog added. The best of the rest is the final studio track, "La Mia Vita." I'm trying to come up with a point of reference for this band that might be useful. Augusto Croce in his bio on italianprog.com lists OFFICINA MECCANICA, but truthfully the resemblance is quite superficial, and only to the most bland, straightforward of OM's songs, like "Insieme al Sole." Don't expect OM with this album! Other pop oriented bands in that era include CAPRICORN COLLEGE, but ARS NOVA band doesn't reach their level. Another contemporary band is LA BOTTEGA DELL'ARTE, and this may be the closest comparison I can find, especially their 1977 album "Dentro." But that's as obscure as this one, so it's not very helpful I'm afraid. This album doesn't approach any of the singer/songwriter works that I'm familiar with either. So the bottom line is ARS NOVA is for the patient RPI enthusiast who is looking to expand horizons and flesh out collections. This pleasant pop oriented album with too few prog moments for my taste merits two stars.
...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell"
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 18 2009 at 18:28
Originally posted by Todd Todd wrote:

I just heard Richard Cocciante's "Mu" for the first time.  I'm very impressed!  That's a really good album in the singer/songwriter style, with more than the average prog quotient for that type of album.  I think it's the only thing prog related he ever did, but it's a great album.  Paolo Rustichelli of "Opera Prima" fame plays keyboards.


yeah... that album is well known within the team.   Many sleepless nights went into whether he belonged here... if that album belonged.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 18 2009 at 18:30
Originally posted by infandous infandous wrote:

Not sure if I've posted here before, but I LOVE RPI.

However, I have a hard time writing reviews of it for some reason.  Maybe it's the fact that I don't know or understand the Italian language, or maybe it's the density of some of the music.  In any case, I understanding aside, I find Italian to be the most beautiful and well suited to "prog rock" languages in existence (with English close behind......but I suppose I'm biased there LOL).

I lately discovered the Germinale  album, "...e il suo respiro ancora agita le onde...".  Modern (1995), but quite good.   I'm still trying to get a handle on all the "lost gems" of the 70's Italian scene.  It's not an easy task!  LOL  (nor cheap).

However, I'm thinking Battiato may be next on my list to check out..............any suggestions on the best one to start with?  I get the impression from Micky that they are all pretty different from each other.




a couple of us... Andrea P, Mandy, and myself have reviewed all or at least most of his albums.  I'd check those out and see what might interest you.  If you are looking for my recommendation for where to start... I would with Pollution.  It isn't his best... but it is the best starting point.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 18 2009 at 22:28
My favourite RPI artists are Museo Rosenbach, PFM, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, Balletto di Bronzo, Le Orme, Quella Vecchia Locanda, Alan Sorrenti (only Aria, but what a good album it is!) and Franco Battiato (only Sulle Corde di Aries). Smile
 
Originally posted by micky micky wrote:

Originally posted by Todd Todd wrote:

I just heard Richard Cocciante's "Mu" for the first time.  I'm very impressed!  That's a really good album in the singer/songwriter style, with more than the average prog quotient for that type of album.  I think it's the only thing prog related he ever did, but it's a great album.  Paolo Rustichelli of "Opera Prima" fame plays keyboards.


yeah... that album is well known within the team.   Many sleepless nights went into whether he belonged here... if that album belonged.
 
This one's not on the Archives... What is it? Ermm


Edited by ProGR72 - July 18 2009 at 22:34
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 19 2009 at 00:19
Originally posted by micky micky wrote:

Originally posted by Todd Todd wrote:

I just heard Richard Cocciante's "Mu" for the first time.  I'm very impressed!  That's a really good album in the singer/songwriter style, with more than the average prog quotient for that type of album.  I think it's the only thing prog related he ever did, but it's a great album.  Paolo Rustichelli of "Opera Prima" fame plays keyboards.


yeah... that album is well known within the team.   Many sleepless nights went into whether he belonged here... if that album belonged.
 
One thing I love about this thread is that there are so many pop or singer/songwriter artists who have prog overtones that I have heard about here, artists who aren't quite prog enough to make the site.  I've learned about quite a few from you (such as Lucio Battisti) and really appreciate the insights.  So if you have any others you want to throw out there . . . Wink
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 19 2009 at 01:18
Originally posted by micky micky wrote:

Originally posted by Todd Todd wrote:

I just heard Richard Cocciante's "Mu" for the first time.  I'm very impressed!  That's a really good album in the singer/songwriter style, with more than the average prog quotient for that type of album.  I think it's the only thing prog related he ever did, but it's a great album.  Paolo Rustichelli of "Opera Prima" fame plays keyboards.


yeah... that album is well known within the team.   Many sleepless nights went into whether he belonged here... if that album belonged.
And regardless of our decision, it's in my top three RPI albums; that says a lot.  Listened to it the other night with some Jim Beam trying to rekindle my Italian prog flame and it still sounded good to me.  The Vita/Dio section has to be one of my favorites in all of music, so melodic.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 19 2009 at 01:20
Originally posted by Todd Todd wrote:

Originally posted by micky micky wrote:

Originally posted by Todd Todd wrote:

I just heard Richard Cocciante's "Mu" for the first time.  I'm very impressed!  That's a really good album in the singer/songwriter style, with more than the average prog quotient for that type of album.  I think it's the only thing prog related he ever did, but it's a great album.  Paolo Rustichelli of "Opera Prima" fame plays keyboards.


yeah... that album is well known within the team.   Many sleepless nights went into whether he belonged here... if that album belonged.
 
One thing I love about this thread is that there are so many pop or singer/songwriter artists who have prog overtones that I have heard about here, artists who aren't quite prog enough to make the site.  I've learned about quite a few from you (such as Lucio Battisti) and really appreciate the insights.  So if you have any others you want to throw out there . . . Wink
Only one I can think of at the moment without looking is Gianni D'Errico.  HIs stuff wasn't great, but definitely in the vein you're looking for and very haunting and melodic.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 19 2009 at 01:21
^ And I'll mention one that I just got but haven't listened to yet: Stefano Testa.  Jim is a huge fan of that album...can't wait til I have some extra time to give it a spin...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 19 2009 at 01:24
...Oh and Giannini, Fucci, Riccardo Zappa, Apoteosi, Paese di Balocchi...damn they all just popped into my head now haha

Edited by jimmy_row - July 19 2009 at 01:24
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 19 2009 at 02:28
Originally posted by jimmy_row jimmy_row wrote:

...Oh and Giannini, Fucci, Riccardo Zappa, Apoteosi, Paese di Balocchi...damn they all just popped into my head now haha
 
Yeah I have and love all those (except Fucci) and the Testa.  I have been looking all over for both Gianni D'Errico and Claudio Rocchi's Volo Magico No. 1, but I can't find the CDs anywhere!  I'll just have to hope they're repressed, because I just can't find them used or new. Cry
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 19 2009 at 10:31
I don't think I've ever seen Volo Magico on cd either.  I grabbed D'Errico from Wayside when it was on sale, I guess it's gone now but I didn't think it was going OOP.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 19 2009 at 14:09
I think that Claudio Rocchi is an important artist for PA in RPI sub!
 
But now RPI team do not insert bands/ artists because have another mission in work Thumbs Up!!!
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