LIVE 1980

More and more progheads love to listen to the wonderful Italian prog from the legendary Seventies bands like PFM, Goblin, Le Orme and Banco but unfortunately it's very hard to find video footage. So I am very glad to introduce this official Banco DVD release to Prog Archives!

I presume it is the Canto Di Primavera album (1979) tour because the tracklist contains the songs E Mi Viene Da Pensare (warm piano work and breathtaking vocals), Interno Citta (swinging rhythm and nice piece of theater) and Circobanda (cheerful atmosphere with Venetian carnival scenes). The band, with an additional percussionist, plays strong and inspired but you have to be up to the more jazzy and funky sound. For example, the 'classic' Banco composition R.I.P. has a bit more swinging and less compelling climate and I am nog happy that the final part with the great piano and vocal contribution was deleted during this tour. But there is a lot to enjoy on Banco Live 1980 like many flashy synthesizer flights with a brass-sound (like in Garofano Rosso and Capolinea) and lots of fiery electric guitar soli with jazzy overtones (like in Di Terra and Il Ragno). The final two tracks Non MI Rompete and Circobanda deliver cheerful climates, it's a pleasant goodbey to a varied DVD, alternating between classic symphonic rock and funk! The running time is not 60 minutes as the label Btf. mentiones but only 45 minute. A nice bonus feature is an interview with Gianni Nocenzi (more than 30 minutes) with an English voice- over, he has many interesting facts to tell. The packaging is lavish including a Banco story in 3,5 pages.

If you have no problems with the jazzy and funky elements and the short running time, this is an Italian progrock document!