Forum Home Forum Home > Progressive Music Lounges > Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - The Italian Prog Appreciation den
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

The Italian Prog Appreciation den

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 4243444546 358>
Author
Message
seventhsojourn View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: December 11 2009
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 4006
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seventhsojourn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 18 2011 at 12:18
Just to let everyone know the Pierrot Lunaire CDs are now available from Syn-phonic. Here's the link to Assaf's thread:
 
Back to Top
American Khatru View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 28 2009
Location: New York
Status: Offline
Points: 732
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote American Khatru Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 21 2011 at 06:34
Hello all.  I've been away for a while.  Had to ask around the piazza for the location of the den.  Glad to be back.

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

Back to Top
Nightfly View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: August 01 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 3659
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nightfly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 21 2011 at 13:49
Welcome back AK. Smile
Back to Top
MoodyRush View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 04 2011
Location: Here Be Llamas
Status: Offline
Points: 383
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MoodyRush Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 21 2011 at 14:01
Hola. I have Per un Amico and love it and want to know a good next step for RPI listening. I am considering buying Storia Di Un Minuto, but would like to hear other suggestions. Preferably something I could buy online in mp3, because that is usually how I have buying music lately, but it seems a lot of high rated RPI isn't available in mp3 stores. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Follow me down to the valley below.
Moonlight is bleeding from out of your soul.
-Lazarus
Back to Top
Todd View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
RPI / Heavy Prog Team

Joined: December 19 2007
Location: California
Status: Offline
Points: 3472
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Todd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 21 2011 at 22:41
^^AK, great to see you again!

^MoodyRush, Per Un Amico is how I began my RPI journey years ago--what a ride!!  For the next one, you could sample some Banco (first three albums especially), Storia di un Minuto (which is similar to Per Un Amico, but many of us, including me, like Storia better), or you could try any of the albums on the RPI front page.  We can give you more directed suggestions, but really any of those are fabulous. 

If you're going the MP3 route, you might be stuck with some of the better known titles, although the selection is improving.

Good luck!
"I have seen the broken sky turn blue."



My Gnosis Ratings

Back to Top
toroddfuglesteg View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar
Retired

Joined: March 04 2008
Location: Retirement Home
Status: Offline
Points: 3658
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote toroddfuglesteg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 22 2011 at 01:12

The Il Tempio delle Clessidre album from last year is also worthy of a purchase. It was the top rated album of 2010, Todd. It is also a MP3 download from all the online retailers.  Check out this taster below.  

Much more info and reviews here


Back to Top
American Khatru View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 28 2009
Location: New York
Status: Offline
Points: 732
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote American Khatru Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 22 2011 at 06:16
Originally posted by Todd Todd wrote:

^^AK, great to see you again!


Thanks man! 

And seeing you means seeing your avatar - the great Rocky's Filj album.  Gave me a smile to remember something and relate it to you.  About a month ago I took a car trip with a musician friend of mine and slipped that one in on the cd player.  He'd never heard it before (which is not unusual of course) and began to extol its virtues on that first listen.  The instrumentation and arrangement, judicious use of effects, the structure of the songs all work so well.  Nothing really just like it out there.  And what's up with the crossed-eyes and hair ornaments?

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

Back to Top
American Khatru View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 28 2009
Location: New York
Status: Offline
Points: 732
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote American Khatru Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 22 2011 at 06:18
Originally posted by Nightfly Nightfly wrote:

Welcome back AK. Smile
Good to be back Nightfly.

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

Back to Top
Takeshi Kovacs View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: September 27 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 2454
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Takeshi Kovacs Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 22 2011 at 06:50
I'd recommend:











Many more great albums out there too!
Open the gates of the city wide....
Check out my music taste: http://www.last.fm/user/TakeshiKovacs/
Back to Top
American Khatru View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 28 2009
Location: New York
Status: Offline
Points: 732
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote American Khatru Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 22 2011 at 07:31
Did someone say recommendations to follow up on the great "Per Un Amico"??

I'll stick with things as ambitious and symphonic, and of the same vintage.  Of course there's a lot more to RPI, but we must delimit somehow.  Advice: take your time, linger on and listen long to what you purchase; the field of classic RPI is great but it has only so many albums.

In no particular order, for every one of them is great.

Il Balletto di Bronzo "Ys" (they say it's controversial, but I say if you like side one of Tarkus JUMP)



Any of the first three records of Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, take yer pick





As one sage individual has already suggested, the great "Zarathustra" by Museo Rosenbach (by the way, how about these great band names?!)



Either the self-titled release or "Il Tempo della Gioia" by Quella Vecchia Locanda







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

Back to Top
Nightfly View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: August 01 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 3659
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nightfly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 26 2011 at 11:59
You two guys have excellent taste. Thumbs Up
Back to Top
Nightfly View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: August 01 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 3659
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nightfly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 26 2011 at 12:07
Haven't got this one yet but it's on the never ending list. Great review. Thumbs Up
 
 Summereve by HOSTSONATEN album cover Studio Album, 2011
 
Summereve
Hostsonaten Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by tszirmay
Special Collaborator Symphonic Team

5 stars There is a new Vivaldi in progland as the multi-talented and prolific Fabio Zuffanti has just completed a unique achievement in the progressive rock annals by finalizing a set of 4 mostly instrumental albums depicting the four seasons in the annual cycle. From stellar previous works such as the delicate Springsongs, onto the numbingly gorgeous Wintertrough and the febrile Autumnsymphony , the loop is now complete with the sizzling Summereve, even though the liner notes state that this is the first in the cycle (Fabio just did it backwards).

This is perhaps the best quartet of prog music ever, a dizzying accomplishment worthy of the great classical composers and underlines the freedom that artists now have, fully unchained from the shackles of corporate expectations and demands. Under Zuffanti's leadership and his vrooming bass, the musicians continuously display incredible creativity, vision and dexterity that espoused all the glorious traditions of classical compositions but within a firm progressive symphonic context. It is therefore fitting that as summer finally arrives, we are graced with a warm progressive soundtrack that is easily among the greatest releases ever! Yeah, I know, high praise for an all-instrumental work but the cherry here outbursts the cake.

"Season's Overture" is a 10 minute mellotron-packed romp of the very highest pedigree, a five part suite that sizzles along, reliving various previous themes found on the preceding albums, sort a recap if you will and a monster track with tremendous contributions from keyboardist Luca Scherani on elegant piano, swooshing synths and the wispy mellotron as well as guitarist Matteo Nahum on lead and acoustic strings. Drummer Maurizio di Tollo is easily the new percussion maestro in Italian prog, keeping tight time with some fascinating inserts. The achingly gorgeous string quartet work on "The Glares of Light" is to expire for, the passion and pain simply too haunting to adequately describe, even as the sweet flute and violin coalesce magically, in embraced spirals building a crescendo remake of "Kemper/Springtheme" on the earlier Springsongs album, with a focal melody already minted as a precious medallion of prog bliss. Music does not get anymore beautiful than this, possibly bringing one to tears, especially with the mellotron's gentle influence. "Evening Dance" involves more playful tonal adventurism, the flute again pied-pipering the way, a sensual bass groove set into motion, over which magical carpets of delicately woven synth, organ, piano and clavinet filaments intermingle . "On the Sea" starts with a soaring yet brief axe solo that scours the choir-tron cascades and some superb drum fills from Maurizio, a dab of windswept flute patiently ushering in another solo from Nahum that oozes a contained fury that leaves one in shambles. Some electric piano washes and an oboe intervention docks the pier. "Under Stars" is a short effects laden piece with recitative voice that serves as a welcome interlude, numbing the listener to the surprising riff of "Blackmountains", a stunning piece with a dreamy curtain of combined percussion, some swift acoustic guitar runs and synth sweeps, as the flute once again carves out the delicate melody, aided and abetted by the catty violin. "Prelude of an Elegy" gets even groovier with marshalling drums and burping bass, almost beyond space rock, as the synths wobble madly in orbit and the movement progressing forever forward. The lead solo combined with the choir mellotron is just plain silly-good. A thunderbolt seals the letter. The finale "Edge of Summer" does not release the pressure on the pedal at all, a sympho-folk rendition that relies on the strings and the keys to conjure grandiose imagery, providing the solid foundation on which Nahum's guitar can dance for the ages. Artwork, booklet and design all are typically exceptional, showing the care Zuffanti puts into these personal efforts. This is without any hesitation a 5 . Perhaps even one of the finest prog recordings ever from Italy.Yes, it's that good! Its perfect. Buona sera !



Edited by Nightfly - May 26 2011 at 12:08
Back to Top
dreadpirateroberts View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 27 2011
Location: AU
Status: Offline
Points: 952
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dreadpirateroberts Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 28 2011 at 09:02
Hi everyone, new here - introduced myself in the newbies part, but in brief, I'm currently quite obsessed with RPI and wanted to add a recommendation for MoodyRush.

How about 'Palepoli' by Osanna? A challenging listen, but amazing. Or, if you were after something shorter, then I double second "Il Tempo della Gioia" by Quella Vecchia Locanda. Also, 'Melos' by Cervello is great too.

Or even, perhaps, the prog-hints throughout 2 of the more inventive albums by Lucio Battisti - probably 'Il Nostro Caro Angelo' or 'Anima Latina' perhaps? The Battisti albums should be available as mp3 too.
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
JazzMusicArchives.
Back to Top
American Khatru View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 28 2009
Location: New York
Status: Offline
Points: 732
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote American Khatru Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 28 2011 at 09:16
Originally posted by dreadpirateroberts dreadpirateroberts wrote:

Hi everyone, new here - introduced myself in the newbies part, but in brief, I'm currently quite obsessed with RPI and wanted to add a recommendation for MoodyRush.

How about 'Palepoli' by Osanna? A challenging listen, but amazing. Or, if you were after something shorter, then I double second "Il Tempo della Gioia" by Quella Vecchia Locanda. Also, 'Melos' by Cervello is great too.

Or even, perhaps, the prog-hints throughout 2 of the more inventive albums by Lucio Battisti - probably 'Il Nostro Caro Angelo' or 'Anima Latina' perhaps? The Battisti albums should be available as mp3 too.
Welcome!  Love the name - "I am the dread pirate Roberts; there will be no survivors!" LOL

All great suggestions.  'Palepoli' and 'Melos' are two exceedingly unique albums (if I may be permitted to unnecessarily and emphatically modify the word unique).  Personally I'd give them both a 5, maybe 4.5 or 4.75 if I'm truly reserving 5 for the absolute greatest; but way up in that rating-sphere who cares?!

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

Back to Top
dreadpirateroberts View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 27 2011
Location: AU
Status: Offline
Points: 952
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dreadpirateroberts Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 28 2011 at 09:53
Originally posted by American Khatru American Khatru wrote:

Originally posted by dreadpirateroberts dreadpirateroberts wrote:

Hi everyone, new here - introduced myself in the newbies part, but in brief, I'm currently quite obsessed with RPI and wanted to add a recommendation for MoodyRush.

How about 'Palepoli' by Osanna? A challenging listen, but amazing. Or, if you were after something shorter, then I double second "Il Tempo della Gioia" by Quella Vecchia Locanda. Also, 'Melos' by Cervello is great too.

Or even, perhaps, the prog-hints throughout 2 of the more inventive albums by Lucio Battisti - probably 'Il Nostro Caro Angelo' or 'Anima Latina' perhaps? The Battisti albums should be available as mp3 too.
Welcome!  Love the name - "I am the dread pirate Roberts; there will be no survivors!" LOL

All great suggestions.  'Palepoli' and 'Melos' are two exceedingly unique albums (if I may be permitted to unnecessarily and emphatically modify the word unique).  Personally I'd give them both a 5, maybe 4.5 or 4.75 if I'm truly reserving 5 for the absolute greatest; but way up in that rating-sphere who cares?!


Yes! Just stunning, huh? I always wonder what other bands in other countries thought and felt when they heard something like 'Palepoli'? Must have been a real spur to say the least. (love the adverb there, muscular!)
Yeah, those two are probably 5s from me too, or as you say, at the least, 4.5. Grand works indeed. Smile

Hahaha! Another of my favourite lines: Good night, Westley. Good work. Sleep well. I'll most likely kill you in the morning.



Edited by dreadpirateroberts - May 28 2011 at 10:01
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
JazzMusicArchives.
Back to Top
tszirmay View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: August 17 2006
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 6673
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tszirmay Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 28 2011 at 15:17
I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth.
Back to Top
Finnforest View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: February 03 2007
Location: The Heartland
Status: Offline
Points: 16914
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Finnforest Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 28 2011 at 16:19
New Prowlers is out, for those who like it melodic/neo-influenced with female vox, vintage keys, and dreamy guitar solos.


http://www.mellowrecords.com/MMP%20501-600/MMP%20520.jpg
Back to Top
Nightfly View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: August 01 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 3659
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nightfly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 29 2011 at 04:28
Originally posted by dreadpirateroberts dreadpirateroberts wrote:

Hi everyone, new here - introduced myself in the newbies part, but in brief, I'm currently quite obsessed with RPI and wanted to add a recommendation for MoodyRush.

How about 'Palepoli' by Osanna? A challenging listen, but amazing. Or, if you were after something shorter, then I double second "Il Tempo della Gioia" by Quella Vecchia Locanda. Also, 'Melos' by Cervello is great too.

Or even, perhaps, the prog-hints throughout 2 of the more inventive albums by Lucio Battisti - probably 'Il Nostro Caro Angelo' or 'Anima Latina' perhaps? The Battisti albums should be available as mp3 too.
 
Welcome to the forum and too our little RPI den. Smile
 
All great titles you mentioned there. Not sure how extensive your Itailian prog knowledge is but if you're looking for more recommendations you may have noticed that RPI is lsited as a separate genre here (something that's been a bit of a hot potato over the years) and you'll find loads of great stuff to explore. Enjoy!
Back to Top
dreadpirateroberts View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 27 2011
Location: AU
Status: Offline
Points: 952
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dreadpirateroberts Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 29 2011 at 05:47
Thanks Nightfly!

I'm a relative beginner, having been collecting for a few years only (haven't finished getting all the PFM that I want yet, for instance, and only just got Museo Rosenbach last week) but have been instantly hooked!

Interesting, so, 'hot potato' in the sense that not everyone feels it should be a separate genre? (& aren't genres & labels fun!)


Edited by dreadpirateroberts - May 29 2011 at 06:17
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
JazzMusicArchives.
Back to Top
toroddfuglesteg View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar
Retired

Joined: March 04 2008
Location: Retirement Home
Status: Offline
Points: 3658
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote toroddfuglesteg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 29 2011 at 05:55

Hi.

There are some interesting free albums out too worthy of your attention. Both Logos albums springs to mind. Check them out. 

Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 4243444546 358>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.668 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.