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SUONARE SUONAREPremiata Forneria Marconi (PFM)Rock Progressivo Italiano |
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The album opener is the title track "Suonare Suonare" which sets the scene for this major disappointment.As the track starts there is a moment of panic as what seems to be Elton John's "Song For Guy" minces out of the speakers;Styx meet John is a sign of how much better this track gets. "Volo a Vela" is no better."Si Puo Fare" has a catchy beat and at least some interaction between synth,violin and guitar,a decent track but no more."Topolino" comes and goes with only a hint of some flash guitar playing to impress the memory."Maestro Della Voce" at least builds towards some sort of instrumental climax but only vaguely hints at former glories."Sogno Americano" features some soft-rock guitar histrionics and the last two tracks; "Bianco e Nero" and "Tanti Auguri" are so insipid and bland that I mention them only to "name-and-shame" them.
So who might enjoy this album? Well,Elton John fans maybe,Supertramp fans or even anyone who can stomach the 1980's kansas albums.It really is that poor.


«We all started writing new songs, trying to go towards the Italian rock way, which was identifiable by lyrics. Our new project was not easy to realize, because we had to become authors. Anyway we succeeded thanks to our experience with Fabrizio De Andrč and the advices of our new producer, Mr. Colombini. "Suonare Suonare", that is to say "Eight stories made of music and words to express ourselves, communicate, suffer, enjoy and play music" (as is it written on the LP's back cover) is a new, fresh and vital LP which contains poetic autobiographical stories from the band's members» (from the official website of the band).
In my opinion this album is better than the previous studio effort "Passpartů" and, though the song-writing of PFM is far away from De Andrč's standards, here you can find at least three good songs that are still regularly performed live on stage: "Suonare suonare", a piano ballad with some "shy hints" of progressive and lyrics about "playing music as an antidote against boredom"; "Maestro della voce", song dedicated to Demetrio Stratos and built up around a catchy bass line; "Si puň fare", with an interesting drums work. Remarkable also "Volo a vela", with a joyful rhythm that reminds slightly of "E' festa". In the other songs you can appreciate at least the great musicianship of the members of the band.
Though very far from essential in a prog collection this album is still an interesting one because it marks the definitive turning point in PFM's career and, in the whole, it's a good pop-rock work full of energy.


"PFM" will also take an almost similar approach for "Suonare Suonare" : to release a pop-oriented album as well.
Their collaboration with Fabrizio de Andrč in 1979 which led to a tour and two live albums left their marks on the band. The folkish "Volo A Vela" is very much in the vein of the work of this Italian folk singer but I could never be seduced by these live albums.
The title track is probably the most bearable one. Nice violin (but this will be featured several times on this album, which is one of the only good news). It is a good rock ballad. But nothing from the other world.
"Si Puň Fare" is not too bad either. A pure rock'n'roll song. It is of course very far from their traditional offering, but this is another "PFM". The closing section has a definite "ELO" flavour. Great rock'n'roll with furious violin. Do you hear what I mean ?
But these two songs are an exception on this album. Most of time, "PFM" music featured here is easy listening and pop stuff like "Topolino" or "Maestro Della Voce" (which unlike its title might indicate features poor vocals).
"Sogno Americano" is pretty bad. Electro pop beat and awful vocals. The only way to escape from this nightmare is the very welcome "next". Even the violin won't be able to save this one.
"Bianco E Nero" is somewhat Supertrampish. But not the best of their repertoire, I'm afraid. None the less, a great duet violin / guitar closes this song and partially saves it. The closing and folkish "Tanti Auguri" won't do any good to raise the quality level of this album, I'm afraid.
Two stars. Just a poor curiosity for die-hard fans.


The main issue with this album is that the band can´t seem to make up their minds if they´re going folk or jump into the pop wagon headfirst. The result is an hybrid, some tracks being more folkish, some very commercial. Needless to say, there is very little prog in here. Not a bad record, but clearly very very away from the great symphonic band that once released such masterpieces like Photos Of Ghosts and The World Became The World. Some instrumental breaks sometimes show how skillful musicians they really are. Unfortunately the songwriting here is not up to their fantastic musicianship, to say the least.
If you like traditional italian music and pop stuff of the early 80´s, you´ll probably enjoy this album. Other than those I can only recommend this album for fans and collectors. 2 stars..

Yes I think that is extremely important for my review of this record. The violin was missing on Passpartů, a record I felt was quite weak and not especially exciting. The virtuos violin is something of the most specific with Premiata Forneria Marconi's music. Along of course with the excelent participation of the other instruments, but the violin marks out the band among others.
"Suonare suonare" is PFM's seventh studio album and their first record in the eighties. In many ways I think the cover fools the listener. It shows four elderly gentlemen playing folk music and in the bottom we see the flashy PFM sign. Probably those guys sitting along the table is Premiata Forneria Marconi. Well, the cover says this is not a prog album and the music isn't directly progressive. But it's still very clear it's PFM that plays and they still sound great. On Suonare Suonare we have Lucio Fabbri on violin, viola and cello, Flavio Premoli on keyboards and lead vocals(2,7), Franco Mussida on guitars and lead vocals(4), Patric Djivas on bass and Franz di Cioccio on drums, percussion and lead vocals(1,5,8).
I think this was a great release of Premiata Forneria Marconi. The wild, both folky and progressive violin does a great job to polish the record's sound. Especially "Volo a vela", which is partially instrumental has wonderful fiddle(8/10) and I hear some passages I recognized from other songs. The violin is also very good on "Topolini" which also contains significant guitar play(7/10) and on "Tanti Auguri", a very ordinary song(6/10). Another favourite is "Bianco e nero"(7/10) which has wide sweeping patterns which is think is special for PFM. "Si puň fare" (7/10) is a fast and pleasant rock song just as "Maestro della voce"(7/10). The least interesting piece here is "Sogno Americano" which I don't find especially good. The very best song is a very popular sounding one, the first "Suonare suonare" which is sung by Franz di Cioccio. It is a lovely song which is some ways is traditional but has a great power(9/10). I am surprised that the guys sung so great on this album. I like listening to this record, perhaps my rating is too high but this actually gives me so nice feelings! Four stars.
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