EREWHON

Italian folksy neo-prog influenced by the English scene bands. This band uses lots of acoustic guitar, which makes the neo sound very mellow. Notturno Concertante is a project by Lucio Lazzaruolo (piano, synths, classical guitar) and Raffaele Villanova (guitars, vocals). The music is nothing special but some neo-prog listeners might enjoy this. There is really not much variation to keep things interesting so it turns out dull rather fast. The male and female vocals are in English and not very good. If you want to check this band with a less prominent neo sound you could try the more folksy album Riscrivere il Passato (***) from 2002.

Conclusion: Recommended only for enthusiastic neo-prog fans.

Since 1993 and through a five-year span Notturno Concertante slowly entered their most prolific period by far.This era begins with the album ''Erewhon'', which was also the first album of the group for the Italian label Mellow Records.Singer Giancarmine Tammaro and drummer Michele Iacoviello had left the group and new drummer Orazio Grappone was recruited, while the vocals were delivered Raffaele Villanova along with guest singer Betty Iandolo.The album was recorded at the Trasparent Music Studio in the band's hometown Grottaminarda.

Dreamy melodies and folky references were always in the band's menu, but on ''Erewhon'' these elements have a special place with the acoustic guitars being constantly used and the overall style being a very soft Progressive Rock with influences from GENESIS, MARILLION, ATON'S, while some of the vocal parts of the album have a poppy yet sensitive aura akin to PHIL COLLINS' solo albums.Musically ''Erewhon'' offers nine short tracks of melodic and calm -mainly Neo- Progressive Rock with strong acoustic breaks, smooth piano lines and dreamy synthesizers in a very relaxing mood.The few symphonic hints of the debut are almost totally absent and the focus of the group is to produce ethereal atmospheres with warm vocal lines and pastoral soundscapes.However some energy can be found on the good, bursting electric solos of Raffaele Villanova, who has a style similar to MIREK GIL or STEVE ROTHERY.The combination is pretty charming and if the production value was higher ''Erewhon'' propably would have sounded a bit more interesting.

Notturno Concertante played a safe Progressive Rock with an impressive atmospheric content in ''Erewhon'' and what they chose to do, they did it well.Recommended, especially for fans of Neo Prog and pastoral Folk Rock.