CONCERTO GROSSO PER I NEW TROLLS

NEW TROLLS were the first Italian band to combine Rock music with Classical music, so yes this is a very influential album. I've never been a big fan of orchestral music but this is well done for the most part.

The first song "Allegro" is a short song that opens with orchestral sounds before the violin comes in and is contrasted with a TULL-like flute led section. Guitar comes in and then more orchestral strings. "Adagio (Shadows)" opens with violin and an acoustic guitar? The guitar comes in taking the violins place playing the same melody. The vocals repeat this Shakespear line "to die, to sleep, maybe to dream" throughout this song. I must admit the background vocals aren't very good and I wish the main vocals were in Italian. We also have the orchestral strings playing with this awesome guitar melody along side it. Themes are repeated.

"Cadenza-Andante Con Moto" opens with a violin solo that is eventually joined by the whole band, a beautiful instrumental. "Shadows" is a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, and so Hendrix-like guitar solos and melodies are the main features of this song, although why do they repeat that Shakespear line over and over again like on the earlier track. Some flute on this one around 2 1/2 minutes that goes on and on. The last song is an over 20 minute improv where each member gets to show their talents, drum solos, organ solos, guitar solos, a chance for the band to jam.

Good album but I do think it pales when sitting beside the RPI classics.