DOLCE ACQUA

"Dolce Acqua" is for me one of the best works of the Italian Prog scene. Back in '71, Delirium, led bt the famous singer Ivano Fossati, released this as their first LP, and the following year the album was reprinted with Delirium's new hit, "Jesahel", a very enjoyable song, even if it belongs to the beat/pop universe of those years, and not strictly to prog. Every track is very beautiful, and the ensamble creates an unique work. "Preludio (Paura)", "Movimento I" and "Movimento II" open the album with some good examples of what prog could offer even without suites and long tracks: deep lyrics, with the flute and the special voice of Fossati, elaborated musics, with Vigo's piano and Di Santo's drumming, and the chorus, that contribute to the atmosphere. "To Satchmo, Bird and other unforgettable friends (Dolore)" and Sequenza I e II (Ipocrisia-Verità) change the style and bring us to some very enjoyable jazz-rock sonorities, with the flute leading the tracks with elaborated melodies. "Johnnie Sayre (II perdono)" and "Favola o storia del lago di Kriss" focus on the lyrics: the first one translates a poem from Edgar Lee Masters's "Spoon River Anthology", while the second one has a very deep meaning. The LP ends with "Dolce Acqua" ("Sweet Water" in English), a short instrumental track (expect for the end of the song) which really absorbs you (or, at least, so does with me!).

As an Italian, I do really appreciate the lyrics, and I suggest to read the translations while listening to the album: even if I believe that an album can be very beautiful without good lyrics, but not viceversa, I think that, in this case, understanding the words make the tracks even more interesting.