GENERAZIONI / GENERATIONS

This is the third review for this album, and let me add some information: it's recorded live (without audience) by TWO different line-ups, three tracks by one and four by the other (the liner notes don't reveal which tracks). I feel a bit funny to give these details since CALLIOPE is a whole new acquaintance for me and I rely only on the liner notes of this CD. Sadly most of the text was in Italian which I haven't learned, but anyway I saw the year 1972 mentioned; probably the band was founded back then, even if the discography here starts a couple of decades later. The English text concerns the two line-ups, the original line-up and the "new generation" (hence the title) including young chaps born in 70s or even 80s. (If I remember right, the latter is listed here in the album info. I didn't do further research on previous albums.) I can't tell much difference in performances after listening the album through. Oh yes, and here's another crucial fact: the material on this album dates from the early days of the band, probably the 70s!

Now to the music. It can be compared to some of the big names of the classic era, both English (Yes, ELP, Genesis) and Italian (Le Orme, PFM), but with some Neo flavour à la Marillion or Pendragon. Retro keyboards are dominant and vocals are rather sparse. Melodies are soaring and at times bombastic but never over the top. In a word, delicious for a friend of old school prog. All of the seven tracks were pretty enjoyable if not very memorable or unique.

My biggest complaint is about the sound quality, which is rather blurry. But still well worth listening.