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L'UOVO DI COLOMBO

L' Uovo di Colombo

Rock Progressivo Italiano


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L' Uovo di Colombo L'Uovo Di Colombo album cover
3.72 | 107 ratings | 17 reviews | 26% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 1973

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. L'Indecisione (4:55)
2. Io (3:32)
3. Anja (4:37)
4. Vox Dei (4:57)
5. Turba (4:09)
6. Consiglio (4:48)
7. Visione Della Morte (6:42)
8. Scherzo (0:22)

Total Time: 34:08

Line-up / Musicians

- Toni Gionta / lead vocals
- Enzo Volpini / keyboards, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
- Elio Volpini / bass, guitar, lead (1) & backing vocals
- Ruggero Stefani / drums, percussion, backing vocals

Releases information

LP Columbia ‎- 3 C 064-17889 (1973, Italy)
LP Vinyl Magic ‎- VM LP 179 (2016, Italy)

CD Crime ‎- 292E 2028 (1989, Japan)
CD Mellow Records ‎- MMP195 (1994, Italy)

Thanks to ProgLucky for the addition
and to Quinino for the last updates
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Buy L' UOVO DI COLOMBO L'Uovo Di Colombo Music



L' UOVO DI COLOMBO L'Uovo Di Colombo ratings distribution


3.72
(107 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(26%)
26%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(41%)
41%
Good, but non-essential (27%)
27%
Collectors/fans only (6%)
6%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

L' UOVO DI COLOMBO L'Uovo Di Colombo reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Proghead
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars Not quite the Italian prog monster some make it out to be, in fact I find this album a bit overrated. The group released this one and only album in 1973 on the EMI/Columbia label (some pressings are on the EMI/Odeon label, which was simply an alternate print, since they both use the same catalog number, with only the "Odeon" logo pasted over the "Columbia" logo on the Odeon versions). The band consisted of Enzo Volpini on keyboards and guitars, Elio Volpini on bass and guitar, Roggero Stefani on drums, and Toni Gionta on vocals. A certain T. Tartarini (as well as the band members) is credited to writing the material to this album. I presume this was Tony Tartarini, future vocalist for CHERRY FIVE.

L'UOVO DI COLOMBO is an ELP-influenced prog band, while many other ELP-influenced bands get a lot of mileage off "Tarkus", this band seems to get their mileage off their debut, specifically "Knife Edge". A perfect example of that "Knife Edge" vibe is "Vox Dei". The first two pieces "L'Indecisione" and "Io" is typical for L'UOVO DI COLOMBO, not exactly the most complex prog out there, simply grooving on the Hammond organ in that ELP fashion, but you wished the music would take off. "Anja" is one of the few detours where the band ends up sounding like SEMIRAMIS (complete with Eminent, a string organ) or NEW TROLLS circa N.T. ATOMIC SYSTEM. "Turba" is a totally killer instrumental piece with guitar work that just totally blows me away, with the keyboards trying to catch up. No doubt the highlight for me. "Consiglio" is another one of those "Knife-Edge" like songs, while "Visione Della Morte" attempts for a PFM-style, but falls flat on its face, no doubt helped by that useless drum solo, places where the music didn't reach an intense climax.

In conclusion, the album is a bit too uneven for my liking, and I've heard a lot better Italian prog albums. Don't overspend (I didn't, despite that I own the Odeon vinyl - you're better off finding the CD reissue than the original LP).

Review by Andrea Cortese
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars "I won't save you, you only can. I always listen to you and know you never pray, so now what do you want from me?"

L'Uovo di Colombo's unique release has his own place in the Olympus of the classic italian prog. As usual in the seventies, there were hundreds of talentuous bands. Only the best or the most lucky managed to survive after the decline of the first great prog wave. Meanwhile, many bands graced us with excellent albums, often inspired by ELP, as the one I'm reviewing. The main national references are Metamorfosi and Rustichelli e Bordini, in my opinion, even if L'Uovo are different for the addition of (very good) electric and acoustic guitar.

Lead vocalis is Toni Gionta, next to be Cherry Five's singer Tony Tartarini.

The songs' structure and arrangements are a little bit less complex than those of the other italian bands above mentioned but all the instruments are played powerfully. The result is so great that deserves to be remembered. This band's debut was very promising, imagine what they could have create if they continued to exist. A modern italian band that clearly took ispiration from them is Nuova Era. The references are evident in all the titles here, most evident in the track "Consiglio". No epic, though, neither longer song. All the eight tunes are under the 5 minutes. Their success could have been solid...

I strongly recommend this album to all the symphonic prog lovers.

Review by seventhsojourn
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
2 stars I decided to take a break from my series of Uriah Heep reviews by listening to one or two RPI albums and this one was sitting handily on the shelf next to the UK heavy rockers' discs. Strangely enough some of the organ registers on this disc remind me of Ken Hensley's Hammond playing. The other obvious reference point for this band is ELP, as highlighted in other PA reviews. There is something of a similarity with ELP but much of L'Uovo Di Colombo has a psychedelic pop orientation. It almost sounds like two different bands recorded this album. Just out of interest, the album title (in English: Columbus' Egg) is an anecdotal saying that is popular in some Southern European countries. It refers to Columbus' discovery of America, and how he challenged a group of Spanish nobles to stand an egg on its end in order to demonstrate that a discovery or challenge is only easy once it has already been achieved.

This album features in the Italian Prog website's top 20. Now I own all but one of these discs and I honestly don't know what L'Uovo Di Colombo is doing in such exalted company. I'm not criticising Augusto's selection in his top 20; I simply don't rate this album myself. I despaired for this album after listening to the first couple of tracks. L'Indecisione starts off in a psyche groove with organ, before piano takes up the melody quickly followed by some twanging guitar. After a couple of verses of the song there are organ solos employing different timbres. String synth introduces a mellow interlude before a nice drum fill leads into a fast-paced section with Emersonian organ and a bit of Moog. Ok, so far this isn't so bad but during the last few seconds I'll swear I can hear a didgeridoo! Check it out. The next track starts with some really cheesy organ and the song itself sounds like a Eurovision Song Contest entry. I don't know if non-Europeans will be familiar with this competition but hopefully they'll get my point. However track 3, Anja, is more like the real deal. It features lovely Italian vocals, soothing organ, a gentle touch of Moog and a graceful melody. I like this song! It's one of those songs where you immediately press the repeat button on your sound system. Nice. Vox Dei is another goody. It begins with heavy organ and stomping piano and there are definite shades of ELP here. Enzo Volpini's fingers make some nimble runs down the keyboard manual, matched by the rhythm section to good effect. Once the song gets under way with Toni Gionta's vocals it seems a tad too light and airy compared with the dramatic opening, but that's just me being picky. There's a fast jazzy section just before the end that adds further interest to the track.

Just when things were picking up we get the instrumental Turba, another track with tacky sonics. The first couple of minutes are just about bearable, but then there's this keyboard that sounds like a child's toy. Seriously, I think I can remember this thing that kid's played with in the '70s but I can't remember its name. I don't know if this is the band's idea of a musical joke but I ain't amused. The guitar is pretty lame as well; in fact this track is a complete cheese-fest. Consiglio has a melody very similar to Vox Dei and features some nice synth and psychedelic guitar. Visione Della Morte begins as a gorgeous acoustic ballad, similar in style to Le Orme's Frutto Acerbo. However, it quickly turns into a psyche jam complete with drum solo. The return of the main theme on synth then introduces a solo piano section, joined by flute-effects that bring the track to a close. This song contains some nice themes that could have been realised to greater effect. As it stands it's something of a hotchpotch of musical ideas. The final piece is the 22-second Scherzo, an odd end to an odd album.

I hate to be the dissenting voice where this album is concerned. It does contain some good songs but some truly awful ones counterbalance these. I would certainly advise newcomers to RPI to tread carefully here. This album is comparatively rare so you may have to shell out big bucks to buy a copy. It's not a complete turkey but there's so much better stuff out there. For anyone looking for some ELP-tinged RPI then Rustichelli & Bordini's excellent Opera Prima is well worth seeking out. For a more psychedelic sound I would suggest Panna Fredda's Uno.

Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars I like this album a lot. It was released in 1973 and three of the members would go on to play in other well known bands.The singer to CHERRY FIVE, the bass player to FLEA and ETNA, and the drummer would play percussion on SAMADHI's album.

"L'indecisione" features pulsating organ with drums early on then the piano replaces the organ as the guitar joins in then vocals.The organ comes and goes.This is a catchy uptempo track until it settles 3 minutes in. It does pick back up. "Lo" is uptempo with drums, bass and organ. It settles when the vocals arrive. Contrasts continue. A calm 2 1/2 minutes in with sparse drums then it kicks back in. "Anja" is a top two for me. Very impressive with these fragile vocals that become passionate,the instrumental section also goes from mellow to full at the same time. I like the synths too which remind me of LE ORME.

"Vox Dei" opens with gusto as drums and piano lead.The organ comes in with attitude.The tempo shifts occassionaly. Vocals arrive before 2 minutes. "Turba" is uptempo with drums, organ and bass standing out. Guitar comes and goes. "Consiglio" is my other top two. Organ to start as drums and bass kick in then vocals. Great sound here. Guitar after 2 minutes.The tempo picks up before 3 minutes. Check out the organ ! "Visione Della Morte" features acoustic guitar and vocals early on. It kicks in before 2 minutes. Nice. Love the drumming. He ends up doing a solo. "Scherzo" is mainly piano melodies.

Andrea may be right in saying that NUOVA ERA had to be inspired by this album. No wonder I like it so much. And thanks Todd !

Review by Warthur
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars A charming but not exceptional "one album wonder" from the Italian prog boom of 1972-1973, L'Uovo di Colombo play a style of prog reminiscent of Collage-era Le Orme with a bit more Keith Emerson worship. Beginning with a wild organ-dominated track and concluding with a pastoral instrumental featuring piano accompanied by gentle flute, the album takes in a fair range of prog styles but ultimately doesn't quite produce anything especially original out of the mix, and whilst it's competently performed, it never quite manages to catch fire. On the whole, it's one of those obscure albums whose scarcity has amplified the hype surrounding it. Worthwhile if you absolutely love Italian prog from the boom years and simply can't get enough of it, but if you're just beginning to explore the genre there's plenty of better examples out there.
Review by zeuhl1
COLLABORATOR RPI Team
4 stars I've noticed that while most Europeans are familiar with the fable of 'l'uovo di Colombo', no one in America knows the parable. Supposedly Columbus was sitting back home in a bar with Spanish captains grousing about a lesser sailor getting credit for discovering the new world, insinuating that Columbus didn't deserve credit they should have garnered. Columbus randomly challenged the captains to stand an egg on its end, either end, their choice. None could do it. They asked if anyone could ever do it. Columbus brought the hard boiled egg down, flattening one end so it could stand. "we could have done that!" the captains complained. 'Yeah, but you didn't" was Columbus' reply, whereafter he presumably had the captains buy him drinks for the rest of the night. Moral of the story-'I did it first'.

The point of that off topic preamble is that the cover, with its distinctive partially shattered egg is the illustration of this fable. Whether this refers to any challenge-two band members were from the well known top 40 pop band I Fholks, so maybe there is an industry inside joke in there.

I think of this band as a catchier and more sprightly version of Le Orme: better singer, better use of electric guitar (see Turba on side two). The ELP comparisons are easy to see, some either intentional or not synth nods to the first ELP album are on display. Tony Gionta, later Tartarini is one of the better vocalists in Italian rock. He later was the singer for Cherry Five, the obscure Goblin precursor. Drummer Ruggero Stefani is an underrated force on this record, but overall it's not about any individual members, This record succeeds because one can sense the absolute comfort the musicians have with each other. It is hard to believe that they only did this one album, but a special album it is-no mountainous highlight peaks, just consistently good organ driven prog rock from front to back, zero weak points.

On transparent blue vinyl currently if you look hard in gatefold cover.

This was one of the first 'off the radar' RPI purchases I made after decades of only owning a bunch of PFM and a smattering of whatever got released in the states-RDM, Perigeo, Le Orme. I was blown away at first, but then as the wave of Italian prog vinyl mysteriously kept showing up in my living room, it seemed as if I had overreacted. But listening later, this record does deserve the kudos it quietly has accrued. I honestly like this more than the whole Le Orme catalog barring Felona and Serona.

Reference points: ELP, some Wetton led UK. Definitely Le Orme.

Highly recommended

4.25 stars

Latest members reviews

4 stars You may call me an ELP sucker but nothing will change my eternal love for the keyboards and organ based songs. This obscure album is very creative and energetic. L'Uovo Di Colombo is another one shot, and this single album couldn't be wrong, a dynamic italian organ based symphonic progress ... (read more)

Report this review (#1024815) | Posted by VOTOMS | Tuesday, August 27, 2013 | Review Permanlink

3 stars A "supergroup" of sorts, L'Uovo di Colombo was born from the ashes of I Fholks and Flea, adding future Cherry Five singer Toni Tartarini to round out the band. This enjoyable 1973 record is just good enough to recommend, but not so good it's essential. The weak link is the lack of guitar, as ... (read more)

Report this review (#864384) | Posted by coasterzombie | Wednesday, November 21, 2012 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Great listen! Great representation of the evolution of RPI. Powerful and dynamic Sicilian based (yes) quartet, formed in Roma (like always), with distorted organ (without the Leslie) that harks Brian Auger, John Lord and Vincent Crane. I don't hear the ELP influence like everyone else. Great rhythm ... (read more)

Report this review (#652437) | Posted by Monsterbass74 | Friday, March 9, 2012 | Review Permanlink

4 stars In March 1973 I was a 16y rockfan and went to Genova Italy to attend the Deep Purple concert presenting their Made in Japan stuff! The support group were UOVO DI COLOMBO ! I have vague memories of them playing just a few songs after been literally thrown out of the stage by people throwing ... (read more)

Report this review (#183528) | Posted by LUPO FIORE | Thursday, September 25, 2008 | Review Permanlink

4 stars There is no doubt that 1973 were an important year in the sphere of the Italian Progressive rock, since on a par of which they were continued making festivals massive outdoors (they open to air festivals), the many groups removed skillful works, in which one demonstrated that the Italian groups ... (read more)

Report this review (#162726) | Posted by Alberto Muņoz | Tuesday, February 26, 2008 | Review Permanlink

3 stars VOX DEI.. INDECISION... L'Uovo Di Colombo is a band with great potential. But with a controversial final debut. For me the research of catchy melody to all costs penalizes this band. In this album only "Vox Dei" is in possess of power and magic. Not for all the organ isn't used for solo momen ... (read more)

Report this review (#145125) | Posted by Lady In Black | Tuesday, October 16, 2007 | Review Permanlink

5 stars Highly recommended if you like ELP or LE ORME. Especially "Turba" (very goog guitar work), "Vox Dei", "L'Indecisione" and "Visione Della Morte" (PFM style). An album with an excellent technical level, especially keyboards, bass and drums. Vocals are not bad. ... (read more)

Report this review (#69698) | Posted by martin56 | Friday, February 17, 2006 | Review Permanlink

3 stars ***1/2 The only album by this group is Hammond driven symphonic progressive. This is an Italian album that I have not completely warmed to even though some consider it a minor classic of that particular scene. It might be the ELP resemblance that puts me off a bit. I can't but think that Emerson ... (read more)

Report this review (#39740) | Posted by geezer | Monday, July 18, 2005 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Excellent work in the italian 70s panorama, even if not surely the best. Very good organ sounds, with in fact a strong similarity to Emerson, and in general strong personality and full-sound music, a great drums work, and very good technical passages. Like many other cases in italian groups of t ... (read more)

Report this review (#38174) | Posted by NIC* | Friday, July 1, 2005 | Review Permanlink

5 stars Incredibly good keyboard driven progressive from Italy. Another one-shot band that would have deserved much more attention. An album with no fillers and an excellent technical level. Highly recommended. ... (read more)

Report this review (#18935) | Posted by | Monday, May 3, 2004 | Review Permanlink

5 stars If you are into Italian Prog from the 70's, this is a great one, not as great as Museo or the first 3 Premiatas, but still highly recommended. The beginning may sound too jazzy, but relax and you will see how truly prog (even symphonic) they can get... ... (read more)

Report this review (#18934) | Posted by | Saturday, April 10, 2004 | Review Permanlink

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