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SaltyJon View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SaltyJon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 25 2010 at 22:10
So I'm listening to Il Maniscalco Maldestro's debut album now thanks to their website...gotta say, it's not quite what I expected but I'm liking it so far. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Finnforest Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 25 2010 at 22:23
Yeah, I like them quite a bit Jon.  Big smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SaltyJon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 25 2010 at 22:24
As do I, but they're not quite what I was expecting when I checked it out.  I love free downloads. Big smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Amethyst Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 26 2010 at 22:34
I am currently savouring the flavouring of Cherry Five!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andrea Cortese Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 27 2010 at 02:34
^^^ good album, with more of a Yes' hint but played very well nonetheless.
 
The last RPI I listened to is Petali di Fuoco... eh eh eeh always the same in the last weeks... but my opinion has not changed. Their album deserves only 3 stars this time...


Edited by Andrea Cortese - August 27 2010 at 02:34
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nightfly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 27 2010 at 04:06
Originally posted by Amethyst Amethyst wrote:

I am currently savouring the flavouring of Cherry Five!
 
Good choice, I really like that album. Welcome to the forum Amy! Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nightfly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 27 2010 at 04:11
Originally posted by Andrea Cortese Andrea Cortese wrote:

^^^ good album, with more of a Yes' hint but played very well nonetheless.
 
The last RPI I listened to is Petali di Fuoco... eh eh eeh always the same in the last weeks... but my opinion has not changed. Their album deserves only 3 stars this time...
 
Andrea, I read your post the other week that you weren't mad on Petali Di Fuocco. I see it hasn't grown on you. Must admit I really enjoy it and it's one of my favourites of this year so far. If you review it I'd be interested to read it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nightfly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 28 2010 at 14:09
Vault Pick: Thumbs Up
 
 Nostos by UBI MAIOR album cover Studio Album, 2005
3.90 | 10 ratings

BUY
Nostos
Ubi Maior Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by Andrea Cortese
Special Collaborator Italian Prog Specialist

4 stars Νοστος (Nostos) - Return

The debut album of the italian contemporary prog band Ubi Maior reveals an unespected passion for ancient poems and literature. In this case the band alternates a famous latin expression (Ubi Maior...Minor Cessat) to an ancient greek word that means, as I said above, "return" from the greek verb νοστέω (nostéo). The album's title is intriguing for a prog album and certainly catched my attention and my deep interest, since I studied ancient greek and latin at school. So, not only passion for music, but also a personal need for my brain to re-live the past glories of all those hard (but satisying) translating-day's-nights.

Epic literature, in particular, comes to my mind. Odisseus (Ulisses) and Argonauts, in particular. Nostos/Return had a particular meaning for ancient and classic greek people. It also has the meaning of "fruitful". Every famous "return" has been fruitful and godblessed, 'cause it was when the hoeroes could return back home to familiar loves.

And so Ubi Maior sing and play as they were a nouvelle hero who has to pass through unspeakable adversities, horrible wars and apparently endless fights, before he reach the warm light of home. It's not a case that the last track is "La Tua Casa Comoda" (Your Own Comfortable Home) a cover of the same-titled track of IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO.

The album is builded by seven strong compositions and opens with the wonderful "Vendetta" which is melancholic and soft for the first two minutes until it explodes in an exciting traditional italian symphonic prog plus some fiery electric guitar play and "nocturnal" lyrics: "I'm sharpening the blade in the night..:". "Terra Madre" (Motherland) is a more soft tune and, to be honest seems built upon a non-prog structure enriched by remarkable job on synthesizers a la ELP's "Lucky Man". Very pleasant listening.

"Livia" is an enjoyable short piano and synth gem. Great sensibility on drums. "Messia" is probably the most favourite of mine here, musically speaking, at least. It's the stronger one with faster tempo and explaining well the ancient greek word "PATHOS. The only remark is about lyrics that appears a little bit unispired even if about a science fiction story starting in the 2141 year when, according to Ubi Maior, (evil) men from Neptun will land on earth and they will try to destroy us and our planet. Fortunately a "Messia" will finally come, after so many troubles and atrocities.

"Oltre il Vento" (Beyond the Wind) is another shorter tune about 3,45 minutes played faultless with an appreciable delicacy. A tasteful introduction to "Nostos" epic (over 23 mns!!). This adventurous track has some memorable moments, indeed, but it's somehow weaker, in my opinion, than the other six. Pointless sometimes, but, fortunately the second half appears more varied and intriguing. A very good one, though!

What I could say more? Even not a pure masterpiece, Nostos is one of the most exciting records ever released in Italy in the last years. Highly recommended. It's destined to become a classic!!!

4.50 and all my congratulations to the band for such an opus! Let's hope Ubi Maior will not disappear as many other their colleagues...

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seventhsojourn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 29 2010 at 17:31
^ Not a band I'm familiar with, but I listened to the MP3/stream after seeing this post... sounds like good stuff.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seventhsojourn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 30 2010 at 03:02

Italy beat Germany 46-45 in the World Cup poll... so close, although the German supporters suspected foul play. As if! Italy will now be up against the winners of Canada v France. Heheh! 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andrea Cortese Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 30 2010 at 04:25
Originally posted by Nightfly Nightfly wrote:

Vault Pick: Thumbs Up
 
 Nostos by UBI MAIOR album cover Studio Album, 2005
3.90 | 10 ratings

BUY
Nostos
Ubi Maior Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by Andrea Cortese
Special Collaborator Italian Prog Specialist

4 stars Νοστος (Nostos) - Return

The debut album of the italian contemporary prog band Ubi Maior reveals an unespected passion for ancient poems and literature. In this case the band alternates a famous latin expression (Ubi Maior...Minor Cessat) to an ancient greek word that means, as I said above, "return" from the greek verb νοστέω (nostéo). The album's title is intriguing for a prog album and certainly catched my attention and my deep interest, since I studied ancient greek and latin at school. So, not only passion for music, but also a personal need for my brain to re-live the past glories of all those hard (but satisying) translating-day's-nights.

Epic literature, in particular, comes to my mind. Odisseus (Ulisses) and Argonauts, in particular. Nostos/Return had a particular meaning for ancient and classic greek people. It also has the meaning of "fruitful". Every famous "return" has been fruitful and godblessed, 'cause it was when the hoeroes could return back home to familiar loves.

And so Ubi Maior sing and play as they were a nouvelle hero who has to pass through unspeakable adversities, horrible wars and apparently endless fights, before he reach the warm light of home. It's not a case that the last track is "La Tua Casa Comoda" (Your Own Comfortable Home) a cover of the same-titled track of IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO.

The album is builded by seven strong compositions and opens with the wonderful "Vendetta" which is melancholic and soft for the first two minutes until it explodes in an exciting traditional italian symphonic prog plus some fiery electric guitar play and "nocturnal" lyrics: "I'm sharpening the blade in the night..:". "Terra Madre" (Motherland) is a more soft tune and, to be honest seems built upon a non-prog structure enriched by remarkable job on synthesizers a la ELP's "Lucky Man". Very pleasant listening.

"Livia" is an enjoyable short piano and synth gem. Great sensibility on drums. "Messia" is probably the most favourite of mine here, musically speaking, at least. It's the stronger one with faster tempo and explaining well the ancient greek word "PATHOS. The only remark is about lyrics that appears a little bit unispired even if about a science fiction story starting in the 2141 year when, according to Ubi Maior, (evil) men from Neptun will land on earth and they will try to destroy us and our planet. Fortunately a "Messia" will finally come, after so many troubles and atrocities.

"Oltre il Vento" (Beyond the Wind) is another shorter tune about 3,45 minutes played faultless with an appreciable delicacy. A tasteful introduction to "Nostos" epic (over 23 mns!!). This adventurous track has some memorable moments, indeed, but it's somehow weaker, in my opinion, than the other six. Pointless sometimes, but, fortunately the second half appears more varied and intriguing. A very good one, though!

What I could say more? Even not a pure masterpiece, Nostos is one of the most exciting records ever released in Italy in the last years. Highly recommended. It's destined to become a classic!!!

4.50 and all my congratulations to the band for such an opus! Let's hope Ubi Maior will not disappear as many other their colleagues...

 
Thanks for mentioning my review!!
 
I know old Micky also likes this one...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nightfly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 30 2010 at 12:45
You're welcome Andrea, I enjoy reading your reviews. Great work. Thumbs Up
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seventhsojourn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 01 2010 at 05:14
Delirium... I love Ivano Fossati's voice on their first album, can anyone recommend any of his solo works?
 
Greg Walker has a couple of his early 1970's discs (described as light/soft progressive), including a collaboration with Oscar Prudente. I remember Andrea recommended ''La Pianta del Te'', ''Macrame'' and ''L'Arcangelo'', but I've only seen the last named on CD. Anyone else heard these albums?
 
Thanks all!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nightfly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 01 2010 at 17:12
Wow! look what the J.E.T. album went for recently on ebay........
 
 
 
Think I'll make do with my CD copy.Wink


Edited by Nightfly - September 01 2010 at 17:13
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andrea Cortese Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 01 2010 at 17:18
Originally posted by seventhsojourn seventhsojourn wrote:

Delirium... I love Ivano Fossati's voice on their first album, can anyone recommend any of his solo works?
 
Greg Walker has a couple of his early 1970's discs (described as light/soft progressive), including a collaboration with Oscar Prudente. I remember Andrea recommended ''La Pianta del Te'', ''Macrame'' and ''L'Arcangelo'', but I've only seen the last named on CD. Anyone else heard these albums?
 
Thanks all!
 
 
I know Fossati for his later pop stuff and cannot help you.
 
BTW I'm listening to Ivan Graziani (former ANONIMA SOUND member).
 
The album now playing is Ballata per 4 Stagioni (released in 1976).
 
Very good singer-songwriter album but more eclectic (there are excellent acoustic guitar, electric, jazz-rock interludes, ARP, brass, violin (Lucio Fabbri) and flutes.
 
An enjoyable listening!
 
Ballata per 4 stagioni - album cover
 


Edited by Andrea Cortese - September 02 2010 at 06:07
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Todd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 01 2010 at 17:21
Originally posted by seventhsojourn seventhsojourn wrote:

Delirium... I love Ivano Fossati's voice on their first album, can anyone recommend any of his solo works?
 
Greg Walker has a couple of his early 1970's discs (described as light/soft progressive), including a collaboration with Oscar Prudente. I remember Andrea recommended ''La Pianta del Te'', ''Macrame'' and ''L'Arcangelo'', but I've only seen the last named on CD. Anyone else heard these albums?
 
Thanks all!
 
I'm familiar with the first two albums, the ones reissued by BTF, but I don't know the others that you mentioned.  For what it's worth, I like the collaboration with Oscar Prudente, "Poco Prima dell'Aurora" best.  And Oscar Prudente's album "Infinite Fortune" is really good as well.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Todd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 01 2010 at 17:24
Originally posted by Nightfly Nightfly wrote:

Wow! look what the J.E.T. album went for recently on ebay........
 
 
 
Think I'll make do with my CD copy.Wink
 
Wow!  That's amazing.  It's things like that that make me believe one collector I know who says his collection is worth several hundred thousand dollars.
"I have seen the broken sky turn blue."



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seventhsojourn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 01 2010 at 17:59
Originally posted by Nightfly Nightfly wrote:

Wow! look what the J.E.T. album went for recently on ebay........
 
 
 
Think I'll make do with my CD copy.Wink
 
Wow indeed! And 5 bidders over the $1K mark!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seventhsojourn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 01 2010 at 18:03
Andrea & Todd,
 
Many thanks for your suggestions, I'll try to check them all out. Thumbs Up
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Todd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 02 2010 at 13:16
So this morning I had a wonderful experience with PROCESSION's "Frontiera," one of my favorite albums.  I just purchased the Japanese SHM mini with a nice gimmick cover and overall beautiful packaging.  I have to say that the mastering on this edition is excellent, even better than the Vinyl Magic version that I have.  And after being disappointed by the mastering of other recent Japanese SHM minis (LE ORME's "Uomo di Pezza" and to a lesser extent I GIGANTI), this was a pleasant surprise.
 
If you haven't investigated this album, you owe it to yourself.  And read Andrea's great review, too.
 
"I have seen the broken sky turn blue."



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