EN EL HOSPICIO

Among the most famous Folk bands in Argentina, the Patoral duo was found in Buenos Aires in 1972 by Alejandro De Michele and Miguel Angel Erausquin, making their first live appearance during the autumn of 73'.The same year their acoustic self-titled debut was released on Cabal, but without any kind of promotion it went unnoticed.For their second album though they were helped by Litto Nebbia and his supporting group, while Nebbia helped Pastoral also with the production of the album.''En el hospicio'' was released in 1975, again on Cabal.

Pastoral's music is based on delicate and deeply lyrical acoustic songs with an intense Latin atmosphere due to the constant presence of vocals.Nothing to do with complex arrangements or multiple instrumental ideas.This is a pure Acoustic Rock/Folk work, mainly headed for those capable of understanding the Spanish language, with little variations or changing moods.The music remains soft all the way, the atmosphere is overall melancholic and rather depressive, but both voices of De Michele and Erausquin are beautiful and warm with a sensitive touch, somewhat overcoming the music parts of the album.Some tracks present a richer sound, featuring short and smooth electric solos, light organs and pianos and the presence of Nebbia's rhythm section and the sound obviously comes a bit closer to Folk Rock.But even these are played under a very gentle and elegant atmosphere, although there are some space for instrumental parts.

Hard to judge this one.''En el hospicio'' is far from the fundamentals even for Prog Folk fans, but its unique atmosphere and fantastic lyrical content are hard to met.Recommended, especially if you like emotional acoustic soundscapes.