SPIRITO BONO

Maybe the proggier of all Italian Folk bands, Canzoniere del Lazio originated from Roma with an initial line-up of multi-instrumentalist Carlo Siliotto, singers Piero Brega and Sara Modigliani and Francesco Giannattasio on accordion/percussion.The traditional Folk album ''Quando nascesti tune'' was released in 1973 on Dischi del Sole, followed by the departure of Modigliani and the arrival of multi-instrumentalist Pasquale Minieri, percussionist Giorgio Vivaldi and sax players Luigi Cinque and Gianni Nebbiosi.A second, more diverse release with a strong Folk content was released on Intingo label in 1974, entitled ''Lassa sta' la me creatura''.Another line-up change occured in 1975 with Nebbiossi leaving and entering the picture is drummer Piero Avallone.In 1976 a second album on Intingo was released under the title ''Spirito Bono''.

With their third studio album, recorded at Chantalain Studios in Rome and produced by Peter Kaukonen (brother of Jefferson Airplane's guitarist Jorma), Canzoniere del Lazio head towards the pinnacle of their sound.The style of the group is still deeply grounded in Folk fields, but the discreet use of electric instruments as well as the experimental mood of their stylistic approach shows a band ready to explore the unique possibilities of performing in looser forms.''Spirito bono'' contains two very long Prog Folk tracks, which swirl around traditional Italian Folk, Folk Rock and Experimental Music.In these tracks the band presents a rich sound full of acoustic interplays, weird interruptions towards more calm sections, psychedelic Italian vocals and a few electric moments with good use of guitars.The compositions are quite loose as aforementioned and range from tight moves with alternating acoustic sections to chaotic soundscapes with an experimental touch, that might bother the average listener, but still sound quite charming.Among these long pieces the group offers also a couple of shorter tracks.''Ballu'' is closer to Italian Folk, featuring heavy use of percussions and wind instruments, while ''Morte di Pulcinella'' has a very strong Chamber Folk aura, propably due to heavy use of sax and violins in a hypnotic and dark-sounding enviroment, supported by obscure vocal work.

''Spirito Bono'' sounds extremely tasteful for all fans of Prog Folk and all mystified lovers of acoustic instrumentals.Additionally I would definitely recommend this album to anyone willing to realize how Folk Music can transform into more rockin' forms without the strong presence of electric instrumentation.Unique dicovery to say the least.