AQUILE E SCOIATTOLI

Aquile E Scoiattoli is a great album recorded in 1976 by Latte E Miele. This band is great. Its members certainly know how to play! I can actually say that this is a totally symphonic rock album. Some songs actually sound like symphonic music played by electric instruments like The Enid. However, some songs have vocals less symphonic, but they are still great progressive rock stuff. In a nutshell, I totally suggest you listen to this one if you like symphonic rock music.

This is an acclaimed Italian band from the Seventies. On their first two albums we can enjoy cascades of shifting moods, breaks, accellarations and the climates changes from classical overtones to ELP-like keyboard work or even heavy metal. This third album is the most accessible one, I trace echoes from the early Genesis (especially the keyboards). The long and impressive composition "Pavane" (almost 25 minutes) reminds me of The Enid, Sky and Craft. If you prefer more complex and adventurous prog, I prefer the first two albums to start with but if you like more melodic prog, this is one to discover.

The most underrated of the band's three albums. Sure, this was made after a long hiatus, and the only original member left is the drummer. But musically this is quite sweet.

A stronger guitar presence, largely acoustic, gives this more of a PFM feel. Actually, more of an Il Volo feel, as they have the same string-synth oriented keyboard sound. The acoustic guitars on "Menestrello" and the title track add an endearing folksiness that was somewhat lacking in their other two albums.

The highlight of this album is definitely the 23-minute "Pavana" suite, which is brimming over with a variety of different moods and shadings. The low point is easily "Opera 21", a too-kitschy take on a theme from Beethoven's 1st symphony.

So, better than you've been led to believe. I prefer it over the rather over-rated PAPILLON, frankly, although I like it slightly less than PASSIO SECUNDUM MATTHEUM. In any case, this is a worthy album that a lot of Italian sympho fans could definitely enjoy.

The third work released in 1976 "Aquile E Scoiattoli". It is a work by a newborn group. It is not a concept to former work aim but it is more straight pop rock. It is romantic, Italian rock. The orchestration is also near perfectly. It is easy to listen to music. It is a content for general compared with the former work.

A very good album, not as good as the first two but, if you like italian prog you need this one too. Everytime i ear that album it remind me of Pink Floyd, guitar sound Gilmour sometime.

"Aquile E Scoiattoli", is a very mellow tune, with acoustic guitar, melodic keyboards and vocal harmonie. A good song but not the best of the album.

"Vacche Sacre", has a very good keyboards riff, a good hook. I really like that song. In the middle you have a slide guitar that could have been in "Meddle" by Pink Floyd.

"Menestrello", this one is very very good :) It starts slow to bild into a very strong guitar solo that goes strait to my hart, WOW!!!!!

"Opera 21" is my least favorite on the album, classical music played by a rock band, that work perfectly on "Papillon" but less on this one.

"Pavana" is a strong track, 24 min of pure progressive rock like it's supposed to be :)

Overall, 4 stars well deserve.

If you are planing to buy any of the "Latta E Miele" album, try to find the "Latte E Miele" box set it's the best to have because it has the three album, "Passio Secundum Mattheum", "Papillon" and this one, in mini-vinyl format. It's not cheap, well it cost less that buying the 3 album separatly, but since all three album are good, it's a good bet, that's what i got and i didn't regret my purchase. But, if you're broke or can't find the box set, start with "Papillon" instead.

This Italian band shows a different orientation with their third opus. Or at least they try.

Gone are the ELP influences (for most of it as we will see) and this album leaves more space to a truly and personal style, IMHHO. But I miss the bombastic music of their first two albums which was really incredible, at times.

This album sounds a bit average when compared to their other opuses. The intricate Italian prog is somewhat missing during the short tracks (four) of this album. Still, "Menestrello" is full of sweetness, emotion and peaceful glory that anyone is expecting from a great Italian band.

But a track as "Opera 21", is too much classical oriented to be interesting for the one I am. Press next (sorry guys).

The band recovers all of its splendour during the epic "Pavana". ELP is back ! Superb and powerful keys, thrilling instrumental parts (but this one is fully instrumental anyway). Sentimental? Maybe.

Some pleasant acoustic moments, some complex interplay. But at all instants, the great organ sound is there. Just to remind us that this band is seriously . oriented (I know, three letters are missing).

I am rather mixed about this album. On the one hand, "Latte & Miele" is trying to move off-wards their main inspirer, and on the other hand their best song here is closely related with this source. Ambiguous? You name it.

Three stars for this album.

Milk and honey's back with another good taste.

LATTE E MIELE is, at least I consider, one of the most famous Italian progressive rock bands with their wonderful works 'Passio Secundum Mattheum' and 'Papillon'. Their music style was constructed with classical keyboard sounds and graceful guitar, bass and drum sounds, by EL&P-like trio. Even on their third work 'Aquile E Scoiattoli', members had been changed remarkably but pleasantly their style was not altered. Their vectors might be always same. Exactly all songs are a little catchier than in the previous works but we have no suspicion they could keep the terrific quality. Of course, there's such a classical song as the fourth track Opera 21, based on Beethoven's No. 21. They seasoned the song with pop sense as Rick Wakeman. I suggest there's pros and cons but can't help saying that's a good catch. Aquile E Scoiattoli and Vacche Sacre are progressive and somewhat pop. Furthermore, their Italian characteristic as everyone can say (not pasta and pizza) they should have with their strict patriotism. More spacey and eccentric atmosphere is under Menestrello. Each song on (LP's) A-side is short about 5 minutes and every has its personality. On the contrary, Pavana is a great suite, with EL&P flavour. Mimmo's keyboard play can remind us Keith Emerson's lyrical play. Hmm, it's absolutely natural for us. But wait. Surely the latter half should have another suggestion. Yes, streaming and floating mellotron and guitar sounds...what a real Italian punch! Last fragile but wonderful part can lead us from noisy world toward the heaven, with delicious MILK AND HONEY...and our dream will be broken with electric sounds. :-)

Without aggressiveness and eccentricity, delicious and nutritious Italian soup, please eat.

As I listen to this album for the "who knows how many times," I'm reminded of how the Italian groups have that romantic flair. As some of the other reviewers have mentioned, the "Opera 21" thing is something that should have been left out, BUT! "Pavana" is a defining moment in progressive rock. A perfect taste of the beauty and power that really comes from the Italians and the French.

Although (and most people don't notice maybe, but probably "feel it") the only complaint I have at all, and it's a small one in comparison to viewing "the whole," is the timing of the bass player becomes somewhat of a distraction. He does great on the majority of it, but there are moments where his anxiousness outweighs his good taste. I realize that this is small in the big scheme of things, so I must say that the whole piece of Pavana is so overwhelmingly beautiful - who cares about my little complaint!

I have given this 4 stars, but if judged on Pavana alone, this is 5 star Italian heaven!

After the very good ''Passio secundum Mattheum'',the good follow-up ''Papillion'' and a couple of singles the LATTE E MIELE trio disbanded to reform just a couple of years later as a quartet and only with drummer Alfio Vitanza from the original line-up.The result of this formation was taped on the new effort ''Aquile e scoiattoli''.

Despite the new-line up the band now seems more tight and the sound more convincing and balanced than ever.With similarities with LE ORME's style and career,''Aquile e scoiattoli'' finds LATTE E MIELE exploring more the synths possibilities and leaving the sound of organ or harpsichord behind.The result is not negative at all,on the opposite it seems this sound is promoting better the band's style.Four short tracks on the first side with symphonic textures,melodic lines and great vocals are followed by the easily-flowing 23-min. opus ''Pavana'' on the flipside,a georgeous melodic arrangement full of Classical references with jazzy bits here and there,comparable with the best of FOCUS and GENESIS,hints of whom can be met throughout the track.Flutes' and saxes' touches give ''Pavana'' an even richer and eclectic character.

The early LATTE E MIELE years close with their best work in my opinion.While the first two albums were good examples of Classical-influenced Italian Prog,''Aquile e scoiattoli'' has nothing less than Classic Prog albums created by giants like LE ORME or BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO,the album has a superb balanced atmosphere from the first to the last minute and if you want a work of LATTE E MIELE shining among your collection's items,this one is to grab.Highly recommended.

Complete line-up overhaul

Latte e Miele (Milk and Honey) are one of the classic Italian groups who were not a "one-shot", instead releasing three albums in the 70s as well as a respectable comeback a few years ago. Born in Genova around 1971, the band was acclaimed for an ELP/Orme style of progressive rock fused to classical music. Examples can be heard on their first two albums, the majestic "Passio secundum Mattheum" and follow-up "Papillon." After this they did some serious gigging including a stint with VDGG before being dropped by their label and splitting up in 1974. In 1976 drummer Alfio Vitanza put the band together again with three new members for their third album "Acquile e Scoiattoli".

The third album has a somewhat slicker feel to the production and the material, and while ambitious, lacks the strange baroque-dark feel of the debut in particular. The tracks are structured like Meddle with the first side being unrelated short tracks and the second side featuring an epic side-long suite. The opening title track has a pleasant, light-hearted feel until the mid section kicks into a great dramatic chorus. In that moment they had me on the line! "Menestrello" has a full-on rock feel almost like heavier Alan Parsons or Supertramp, aside from the vocal it has a more international sound. Next is a spirited ode to Beethoven with "Opera 21". The keyboard jamming and drumming is crisp and tight-all of this is pretty cool but quite disjointed in terms of side flow. So side two is where I had to look to find something memorable and I'm afraid it didn't cut it. Long, impressive on paper, and with all of the symphonic glory you might expect "Pavana" just does not excite me. I appreciate the tight rhythm section and some of the arrangements, but the bulk of the keyboard-centric piece sails for over 20 minutes and the only passion aroused in me is frankly to put something else on. Despite the very good sound quality and fine performance, it feels like a prog keyboard exercise that goes on far too long while hitting very few of my musical pleasure receptors. I'm truly surprised by this as I enjoy Basso's "Voci" and certainly tons of albums that are not so far in style from this. I urge RPI and symphonic prog fans to check out this album for themselves because many other like it a lot, some like it more than their two earlier albums. Just not my cup of tea, or rather not my glass of vino.

I am surprised to see the rating of this album and compare it with the others released by this fantastic band. All of their albums are nice (except the commercial one) but in my opinion this album is their best work and one of the most beautiful RPI album. If you compare "Aquile e scoiattoli" with the previous two works you can see (and listen) many differences. "Passio" and "Papillon" are nice album but they are not complete: something is missed in both of them, I mean in the musical side and technical side. This is their most mature album (more than "Marco Polo") and here you can find everything: great vocals and instrumental melodies, nice lyrics, solos at the right moments, fantastic orchestration, a lot of different sounds, rock, jazzy, classic and space musical passages. In this album every single note is in the right place and in the right moment. Moreover, compare with the previous two album, the quality of the record is very good and much better and it helps the listener in a better listening. Last but not least the last track of the album, "Pavana". This song, alone, worth the cost of the album. It is simply fantastic, there are no other words to describe it. In conclusion, for me this is a masterpiece and, of course, their best album until now, I have hundreds of records and this is one of the album that I listen more often. A must have album.