COME IN UN'ULTIMA CENA

It is amazing to notice the ridiculously few amount of reviews that will be available for "Banco" albums after "Io Sono Libero". As if "Banco" ceased to exist after this one... It is one of the major reason that pushes me to review as many albums as I possibly can from a band. Some time, it will lead me to the most difficult and boring times in my reviewing life, but I believe it is a fair treat. At least it gives me a more global feeling about a band, and will avoid to provide advices upon a limited number of releases.

Now, "Come In Un'Ultima Cena" is probably not the one to start with if ever you would like to enter into their catalogue. But "Banco" 's music is not love at first sight (at least for me). There are many bands o fthe Italian Symphonic genre that please me more. But several of them are strongly "Banco" influenced. So, I really do reckon a great influence from this band on lots of other ones.

The short " E' Cosi' Buono Giovanni Ma..." is a wonderful example of the fantastic and so emotional vocal work performed by Francesco. Symphonic because of some orchestration, some good fluting and a great melody. "Banco" has not often sounded like this. I guess that most of the fans will consider this song as an easy one. But this is how I like them the most...

There won't be incredible songs featured on this concept album (IMHHO, humble and honest opinion). This Italian version will also lead to a translated work (very much in the style of what PFM delivered several years before this one, but that's is another story...). It is at times strongly influenced by ELP (but this is a Manticore release, right ?).

The album flows nicely. Nothing as such as those jazz-influenced songs of their first releases. The music is not as sophisticated, rich as before. But it pleases me at least as much. Some great violin parts in "Si Dice Che I Delfini Parlino" are so beautiful that any melody lover would almost fall part while listening to it. The contrast of course is huge with "Voila' Mida". The band gets back to its jazzy roots during the first half of the song. But once Giacomo enters into the scene, it will turn into a fantastic song. Quite hectic musically, but these vocals are so pleasant, so passionate, so sweet, so ...name it, please !

The closing number holds all the "Banco" ambiguity : boring and jazzy first thalf and such a wonderful, emotional second one. Of course, this one features the fantastic Di Giacomo on the vocals. But at this time of their career, and if you have read some other "Banco" 's reviews of mine, you have noticed already that I am fuillly in love with his fabulous vocals.

Three stars for this good album. Too few highlights IMO to make of this one a four star album.