Rock Progressivo Italiano appreciation th

NUOVA ERA — Il Passo Del Soldato

NEW 70'S PROG

The first song is similar to Arpia for structure and vocals work and scripture. But this is one of the little concessions to the new wave of Prog (Neo Prog) but in this case remaining 100% Symphonic. Like all bands with this instrumentation (vocals, keyboards, bass, guitar) the sound is besed of a keyboards carpet with bass support and complicated drums parts. But in this case this Power Symphonic Prog is light and only the typical Italian style vocals is energic concession to Heavy Prog. In fact the other parts remaind to Biglietto Per l'inferno, Banco and similar Italian bands. The keyboards part is very technique and not only a power carpet parts like in the case of ELP. In fact is similar to Rick wakeman work. The drums is constructed in the style of Carl Palmer but with much technique and feeling. Uh... Remember me also the work of "Michi" Dei Rossi (Le Orme) and Pierluigi Calderoni (BMS) or franz Di Cioccio (above all in "Riflessi Di Pace [Oltre Il Fronte]). The construction of the songs remember me also The Trip, VDGG, Camel, Caravan, Dik Dik, New Trolls, PFM and Atomic Rooster. Like rhythm of the songs is in geneal a middle time that does to seem the songs much dark. And the style of the lyrics help this feeling. The "light" parts, however, not change this feeling because the synths parts are, in any case, much obscure. In any case "Il Passo Del Soldato" is not a Black album. Is only a grey album.

Summarized: This is a very convincing masterpiece of Rock Progressivo Italiano in a very inspirated Hard Symphonic vein. Much listening want us to understand it. But then it is a pleasure. P.s.: Don't listen this album in a car. I have did this experience and this album not pleased me. And so I took a big rubbing from my mind.

For always yours, Mandrakeroot.

Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 14:40 EST | Permanent link

IL VOLO — Il Volo

Review by Mandrakeroot (Andrea Salvador)
COLLABORATOR Italian Prog Specialist

THE FLY

For me this is the 5th album of Formula 3. The presence of Radius and Lorenzi with the Lyricist Mogol unfortunately bears an album in the style of "La Grande Casa" but withous the magic of this album. Not a bad album, however. All the songs are good, in possess of good feeling, thing thet save this album. Sincerely I waited something of different. Nevertheless is a soft album, more Not Symphonic Prog respect to "La Grande Casa". In any case is aged very well.

Summarized: Not bad, after all. Is only a good album of one of the supergroup with a very magicl line up. At the end this album seems a big party between 7 friends. P.s.: "Olov" is the nick name of Bob Callero, previously with Osage Tribe.

For always yours, Mandrakeroot.

Posted Thursday, February 01, 2007, 09:55 EST | Permanent link

IL VOLO — Essere O Non Essere?

Review by Mandrakeroot (Andrea Salvador)
COLLABORATOR Italian Prog Specialist

ONE OF THE BEST 70'S PROG ALBUM IS HERE

Less Formula 3 of the precedent album but more space Rock and in vein of certain Electronic Prog (Tangerine Dream, Vangelis etc...) and also more Jazz. This is the Music of "Essere O Non Essere? Essere, Essere, Essere". Not complex at all this music remaind my mind also at Santana in "Svegliandomi Con Te Alle 6 Del Mattino" but with more Rock arrengements. In general this is an album more adult of "Il Volo" because more adventurous, complex and international. The greater consistency of the songs is another good reason because so that this album play better (and more Prog). In any case this is the start of another really Italian way of Prog because the songs are a feeling more latin simply remaining anchored to the Space Jazz. The feeling is the parameter that I used for to judge this album. And the feelinf fly high it is in the more Jazzy song that in the songs more Rock ("Svegliandomi Con Te Alle 6 del Mattino" and "Canti E Suoni" at all).

Summarized: Erred that this bend disbanded after this album because had they a lot say. In any case this is the very Problem of the Rock Progressivo Italiano and it's not the case of ponder on this. Besides is aged very well and this is the second merit (beyond the feeling).

For always yours, Mandrakeroot.

Posted Friday, February 02, 2007, 05:06 EST | Permanent link

ALAN SORRENTI — Aria

Review by Mandrakeroot (Andrea Salvador)
COLLABORATOR Italian Prog Specialist

AIR... I WOULD WANT TO MEET YOU

This is one of the more famous, adventurous and aged well album of the Rock Progressivo Italiano scene!!! This is the album of the song (not suite, abused word with epic composition, specially in Prog and Prog Metal Rock) "Aria". "Aria" is the best masterpiece and passport for the Italian Music of XX Century. Complex but light to the listening is a composition dominated to the extreme beautilul voice of Alan Sorrenti and of the violin of Jean Luc Ponty (specially in the first part), of the trumpet and trombone (plays by Andrè Lajdii and Jean Costa, specially in third part) with Flamenco part and fear acoustic finally. Aria is, another, one of more Symphonic compositions of all of the Rock Progressivo Italiano. And the other songs? Are acoustic Prog POP in the vein of song songwritwers. But "Vorrei Incontrarti" have a feeling extreme positive. Sincerely "Un Fiume Tranquillo" and "La Mia Mente" are too much 70's and aged badly but are very good songs. But "Aria" remedies to all.

Summarized: Aria is an evergreen of the Italian POP scene. And one of the more famous Italian albums in the World. And in order not to be even more weighing I stop the recension!!!

For always yours, Mandrakeroot.

Posted Friday, February 02, 2007, 05:41 EST | Permanent link