UOMO DI PEZZA

Often considered the Italian Emerson, Lake & Palmer for its strong power trio dynamics, LE ORME was also one of the 70s Italian prog scene's biggest sellers and most popular abroad along with fellow Italian proggers Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) and Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso (Banco). While starting out as a rather uninspiring psychedelic beat band on its 1969 debut "Ad Gloriam," LE ORME was one of the earliest bigwigs to release a bonafide prog album when it upped its game in 1971 with "Collage" but even then the prog was set to simmer and tended to focus on jamming sessions and less complex arrangements. By 1972 the band had advanced its craft manyfold and the following UOMO DI PEZZA ( Rag Doll Man ) found LE ORME in full-blown progressive rock mode which launched the band into the Italian spotlight. The album was also the band's biggest seller and set the course that would be taken over the next several albums.

Taking things to the next level of sophistication on many levels, the band not only enjoyed the technological advantages of the newest and swankiest recording opportunities but also adopted a greater inspiration of classical musical scores most notably the chaconne of Johann Sebastian Bach as the introductory phrasing that opens "Una Dolcezza Nuova." Graced by the same poetic prose of chief songwriter and lyricist Aldo Tagliapietra, the Italian lyrical delivery offers a varied roster of tales about "a woman" but not always in a flattering or desired manner despite the dreamy romantic lyrics narrating in a display of controlled softness. Despite existing as a mere trio at this juncture LE ORME featured super competent musicians who delivered all the goods with gusto and a prog sophistication that only the top dogs of the era could unleash. The contrast between Tagliapietra's subdued vocals and the heavy percussive workouts along with the oft raucous keyboards offered a tension unlike the much larger Italian prog bands of the era.

The album featured seven tracks that only added up to a mere 32 minutes but UOMO DI PEZZA doesn't waste a moment delivering highly catchy melodic song constructs accompanied by crazy demanding instrumental workouts allowing the musical flow to meander from soft airy passages to wild turbulent rides fueled by frenetic drumming wizardry and varied keyboard techniques that shifted from elegant slow oozing flows to unhinged and even offered violent virtuosity especially on tracks like "La Porta Chiusa." The album seems to thrive on the battle between placidity and organized chaos. As far as Italian prog of the era goes LE ORME delivered all the goods with romantic vocals delivered with a dynamic range and a heavy reliance on the world of classical music for its compositional crafting. Add to that all the heavier elements of rock and an unbridled passion to erupt into frenetic outbursts of virtuosity and hairpin turns all elegantly structured in amazing efficiency.

Despite the moments of energetic eagerness, the album retains its mellow flow throughout its run as even the virtuosic wizardry sounds relaxed and in good taste no matter how raucous. The sounds Antonio Pagliuca manages to eke out of his organs, synthesizers and mellotrons is no less than breathtaking with classic vintage sounds existing next to heavy fuzz-laden passages as well as Bach inspired tones and timbres from his most famous works. The use of accent instruments such as the clavichord and celesta add brilliant spices to an already enriched menu of pure Italian prog. While the guitar has never been a dominant instrument for Le Orme, the use of plushly strummed acoustic guitars and the occasional electric and bass offer more diversity to the sound palette but it is by far the various keyboards sounds and the drumming prowess of Michi Dei Rossi that offer the most dynamic musical performances on the album.

While LE ORME can certainly be too dreamy and pastoral for its own good, UOMO DI PEZZA delivered the perfect amount of contrast via the varying percussion performances as well as the wide range of organ and mellotron dynamics. The album would bring the band great success which would only grow for another two albums before the so-called trilogy was concluded. While many cite the band's following "Felona e Sorona" as LE ORME's top achievement, personally i find UOMO DI PEZZO to be the band's masterpiece as it just flows perfectly from beginning to end and offers everything that is great about Italian prog in a very unique way that made LE ORME stand out. This album rightfully belongs in the top releases of 70s Italian prog as it is flawless in how it comes together in a beautiful display of contrasts and mastered the perfect recipe for an Italian prog paradise that doesn't miss a beat until the the closing all-instrumental perfection of "Alienazione" closes the album's run. Best of the best! One of those albums that blows me away every time i hear it.