CRYSTALS

Contrary to what anybody can expect, supergroups almost never work, sometimes the music is inferior to what fans expect from many great musicians grouped together like in the case of GTR (Hackett and Howe together was not a dream but a nightmare). In most of the cases, the group works, but they split soon due to other obligations or simply because too many egos can work together.

CRYSTALS is a special case, their only self titled album was recorded in 1974 but only released in 1992 (Only God knows why), the band was for,med by Giorgio Piazza (PFM), Giorgio Piazza (ALPHATAURUS), Marcello Todaro (BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO), Nanni Chivitenga (RACCOMANDATA CON RICEVUTA DI RITORNO & SAMADHI) plus a relatively unknown Hard Rock vocalist named Carlo Degani, and if this wasn't enough Paolo Tofani (Area) who wrote all the songs.

Looking at the list of musicians and bands involved, specially Tofano, I expected some sort of Symphonic oriented Jazz, but surprisingly their only release Crystals is closer to Blues based Heavy Prog in the style of LED ZEPPELIN than to a classical Italian Prog band from the 70's, probably that's why they went for Carlo Degani in the vocals (who has a pretty decent English accent), instead of a well known singer like Mussida, Di Cioccio or Di GIacomo, who would had been out of their natural environment.

My favourite tracks are the opener "Wrought Iron" with an outstanding bass performance by Giorgio Piazza, making it sound somehow reminiscent of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD; the soft and acoustic "Feeling" (Somebody said Stairways to Heaven?); "Is She Still Mine"" full of bluesy distorted guitar by Todaro and Chivitenga and of course "Sad Story" due to the fantastic guitar solos . But in general terms there are no weak moments or bad tracks.

Many diehard Progheads will probably rate this album lower than most Italian bands because of their relatively lack of "progressiveness", but this would be unfair, the album is a good example of what Heavy Prog would had sounded if embraced by more Italian bands and deserves no less than 4 solid stars.

It's true that we are not talking about revolutionary or extremely complex music, but the the songs and performances are delightful.

But... First of all music there is hard rock with bluesy roots. Or let say - music that Led Zeppelin played at their early albums. Second - vocalist Carlo Degany is absolute Robert Plant clone, he even sings in English. Third, all the music, both together with vocal, is just not too much original version of Led Zeppelin.

OK, there are some small traces of "Italian origin" - comparing with the original (Led Zeppelin) compositions there are softer, better polished, more melodic and with more complex arrangements. In fact it gives to all music slight prog feeling. Unhappily, all music is so similar to original, that can not be accepted as independent album in similar style. I believe, it was the reason why this album wasn't released in 1974, but spend almost two decades in archives.

Then, who is this work listener now? I think it could be really interesting for die hard RPI maniacs, whenever they will find well-known genre musicians playing unusual alternative project. Who else? To be honest, I don't know. Don't really think someone with love to early bluesy hard-rock will be attracted by not too original Led Zeppelin clone.

Whenever all musicians are really competent, music if not too original is played at the professional level, though. I can rate this album as almost good ( = 2,75).

"Wrought Iron" is the opening instrumental where drums and bass lead the way. It's like an uptempo warm-up track. "Time Out" sounds so good to open with that bass, drums and guitar standing out. Vocals join in. Check out the drumming though. Guitar solo 1 1/2 minutes in. One of the best tracks on here. "Feeling" opens with acoustic guitars with reserved vocals arriving before a minute. A melancholic and reflective tune. "If She's Still Mine" is an instrumental but better than the opener. Strummed guitar, bass and drums to open. It kicks in heavier before 1 1/2 minutes as contrasts continue.

"Sad Story" is melancholic with reserved vocals. It's laid back until after 1 1/2 minutes when it kicks in. These contrasts continue. Good song. "Persian Carpet" has an aggressive intro. When it settles the vocals join in. Nice bass. I like the sections when he's not singing 'cause they're more dynamic. "Policeman" opens with what sounds like mandolin and it continues throughout. Electric guitar, bass and drums fill out the sound. Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes. He sounds like Plant here at times.Nice guitar 4 minutes in. "Woman Under Water" is the closing instrumental. Some intricate playing here that is impressive. Check it out 3 minutes in as it gets a little crazy. The best part of the album.

The sound quality is just ok, the vocalsist is also just ok. I'd love to give this 4 stars but in my heart I feel it's just not that good to warrant that rating. It's also interesting that the vocals are in English instead of Italian.

Despite the presence of some giant names of the Italian prog rock scene,this is album has nothing to do with classic Italian prog sound.Firstly all tracks contain only English lyrics.Secondly CRYSTALS draw their influences from the US hard/blues scene,especially some instrumental parts with some double guitar attacks are very close to LED ZEPPELIN's sound and even a few mellow parts come close to WISHBONE ASH.Another name that comes to mind in terms of comparison are early RUSH (first three albums).Nice bass work by Todaro and a couple of good guitar passages along with the non-accented vocals of Degani are worth mentioning.However prog addicts will meet almost nothing of significant interest in here...

A good album overall,but with a very unoriginal sound.2.5 stars for a lost release,which could have been easily part of a classic rock site.

Recorded in 1974 and published for the first time in 1992 "Crystals" is a true missing masterpiece of Italian Prog. This band is a sort of studio supergroup that plays a Prog version of Led Zepelin. I note that the music of "Crystals" are extreme melodic Heavy Prog. But the guitars are extreme energic. Ok, Carlo Degany is a photocopy of Robert Plant and the music are 100% Led Zeppelin. But correctly or not "Crystals" is a great album. Not for involved musicians (too simply) but because is the true demonstration that when there it is the passion a clone album like this isn't a clone album. Sure. Probably "Crystals" sound in our ears like a Rock album clone of Led Zeppelin. But, in general opinion, you will not say that "Crystals" isn't a great album.