PRELUDIO, TEMA, VARIAZIONI, CANZONA [AKA: MILANO CALIBRO 9 (OST)]

This is not a full «Osanna» album since several parts were not composed by the band but by the director of the orchestra which supported the band for this release. Which is the soundtrack of a second rank Italian movie.

That being said, there are several interesting passages, full of classicism and romanticism. In this respect, both "Preludio" and "Tema" are fine pieces of music mixing classicism and prog rock music. A good combination.

Some of the "Variations" are also quite pleasant but the first one, which is fully jazz oriented is really beyond my understanding. Most of these pieces are short (to very short) and can't really be described as songs or tracks.

The only one corresponding to this status is "II". Fine theme changes ranging from slightly heavy to delicate acoustic. Wild guitar work at the end of this part, coming almost out of the blue. Unexpected.

Tull is back again with the third "Variazone". Almost exclusively flute oriented, it is another pleasant moment. Not fully original but one has to take what's available. And the forth one is just purely experimental and heavy. Press nextT.

To highlight the diversity of the band, it is only necessary to listen to "V" and "VI" which are diametrically different. Ambient for the former and heavy for the latter. The former, in this case, has my preference.

Neither bad nor great, I consider this album just average. Typical of a soundtrack, lots of parts are really too short to be fully appreciated. But all normally formatted parts are pleasant, including the beautiful and melodic ballad which closes this release: "Canzona" even if fianl part is drowned under heavy orchestrations.

I upgrade my rating to three stars (from a five out of ten).