LIVE - AI MARGINI DELLA TERRA FERTILE

Out of the seven album of their discography , three are live albums and some of the tracks are repeated or comon to different albums , so if you want one live , this one should do as the Progfest is almost the same . Most tracks are taken from their first album and some from the second one , adding a different twist to some numbers but nothing you could live without. Hardly essential but pleasant if you enjoy the band.

This is the first live album out of the three this group has released. Three live albums are quite much for a band that has recorded only four studio albums (excluding Harmony of the Spheres) so far. All three have been released in different labels so that pretty much explains it. This album is the Mellow Records one so perhaps this can be considered the most official one. The majority of the tracks are from the first two studio albums, which they had released before this live album. There is one track that later appeared in In Ogni Luogo with a different song title. The first four tracks are from In Limine and recorded in France whereas the four latter tracks are recorded in Italy. They had a guest flautist in both gigs. The recording quality is good but not anything really spectacular. It does have that real live feel which I appreciate most in live albums. There is some improvisation as well, which is also very appreciated.

Of the In Limine tracks the best ones are "In Limine" and "Orizzonte Degli Eventi" which are in my opinion the best tracks also in the studio album. The highlight track of the debut album is "Macinaaqua, Macinaluna". It is the most powerful track in this live album in my opinion. Overall, the song selection is very well selected and representative of their first two albums.

Conclusion: Great live album and a good investment if you like this group.

Finisterre has released two studio albums prior to this live one. Since this album is longer than any of these two, it means that you'll get most of their two albums in here.

The band will here and there play some jamming interludes (like the jazzy one during "In Limine") but not too much. During the piano intro of "Algos", some notes from "That's All" (Phil collins !) serves as an introduction (more surprises later on). This "song" has been cut down dramatically compared to its studio counterpart (from over thirteen minutes to five). And this is good news since it was one of the weakiest track of their second album "In Limine".

"Hispanica" is the first very good moment in this live set (recorded in France for the first half of it). It also comes from their second album. Delicate and gentle. "Finisterre" as I like. The first brilliant moment comes with "Orrizionte Degli Eventi", the fantastic closing number from "In Lumine" again. This is really an impressive number. Almost sixteen minutes of passion, gorgeous keyboards, harmony as well as subtle guitar. The absolute highlight of this album. Incredible vocals during the last part from this symphonic music jewel.

At this time of the concert, the band will play a medley with "Preludio" (beautiful ambient music, very aerial and tranquil) from their second album and mix it with "Asia" and "SYN" from their debut one. It sounds really pleasant : lots of great flute and wonderful (as Italian symph can be) music really. So much beauty...The second highlight (even if it is a medley).

There will be one song coming out their next album ("In Ogni Luogo "). So, at the time of this record it was unreleased. The full title is "Continuita' Dilara Nel Tempo". A very pastoral song full of sweetness (molto dolce). Very much "Focus" oriented : especially during the marvelous guitar solo (Jan, are you there ?). Another highlight. Piano and flute here are just so vibrant. I really enjoy this type of music. Harmony at its peak. I guess that this is heaven !

The last song of this album is the long "Phaedra" (nothing to do with the "TD" one). More than double its original lenght it features heavy keyboards and furious electric guitar. Full of passion as well (at least till the short drum solo which will the start of a long jam during which each band member will be presented and play a solo. I would have prefer a shortened version of this "exercise". Five minutes so far is a bit too much.

Now, the second surprise of this live album. During his guitar solo, Stefano Marelli will play the middle and BEAUTIFUL guitar solo form "Firth Of Fifth". Some relation could already be felt in the song "XXV" from "In Lumine". So, they may play a sort of tribute to this FABULOUS song. One of my "Genesis" top three. Quite plesant and unexpected.

This album could have been a bit better but as such it is a good introduction to this band. Three stars.