CALLIOPE

CALLIOPE are a five piece band from Italy who really pay their respects to the golden era of RPI with their vintage keyboards(moog,hammond,mellotron) and strong Italian vocals.This is their debut which was released in 1992.This is the only album i have by this band but i'm so impressed.I'm really surprised this record isn't rated higher than it is. What caught my attention right away with the title track "La Terra Dei Grandi Occhi" was how fast the keyboardist is! As tszirmay points out this guy plays at the speed of light.What's more impressive to me though is the mellotron that floods in when it settles down.Vocals join in and they sound really good.Great section! The synths then guitar really rip it up as the mellotron continues.Amazing! Bass comes in prominantly.It settles again before 6 1/2 minutes and vocals return.Mellotron follows. "Non Si Credo Piu" is led by organ and drums as bass and guitar help out.Vocals a minute in.The organ and bass really standout.Synths come in then it settles but not for long.Great tune. "Lunario" offers a variety of keyboard sounds and check out the tasteful guitar 3 minutes in.Nice instrumental. "Pensieri Affascinanti" is a feel good song to me.The vocals and organ sound great while the guitar and relentless bass all add to this wonderful sound.Nice guitar work after 3 minutes.Mellotron follows.It calms right down 4 1/2 minutes in with organ,mellotron,bass and drums.Vocals join in.Kicks in before 7 minutes.Vocal melodies end it. "Passi Dentro Il Tempo" opens with 1 1/2 minutes of fantasic instrumental sounds before the vocals come in.Another feel good song.The guitar lights it up 3 minutes in. "Avalon" sounds so good when the strong vocals arrive followed by a river of mellotron.The bass and organ shine as well on this powerful track. "L'anima Del Cielo" opens with guitar,bass and drums.Cool sound.Organ joins in with vocals.It turns powerful then settles back as the contrasts continue.What a great sound 6 minutes in,especially the vocals and organ. "Mellotronmania" is simply that,lots of mellotron and other vintage keyboard sounds. The mellotron,hammond and vocals alone cry out for 4 stars.

Calliope is "in Greek mythology, the Muse of epic poetry, one of the nine Muses believed to inspire and nurture the arts". It is coincidently also "an organ that generates sound by the release of steam or compressed air through pipes, with tunes often played mechanically, as on a player piano. Calliopes are usually found in fairgrounds or circuses." In our particular case, Calliope was definitely a new ISP band in constant progression, evolving from the jubilant "ripping" excesses of their first albums towards a more thoughtful approach, simply by having the 2 core members (drummer Gianni Catalano and keysman Rinaldo Doro) invite some fresh blood into the fray. No one more so than the splendid vocalist Annalisa Gastaldo , ably assisted by new fretman Aldo Mari , bassist Lele Tosches and second keyboardist Enrico Perrucci. This double ivory arsenal certainly can remind one of Greenslade but the mood is completely different, way more pastoral, medieval-tinged and dreamy. The disc kicks off with a 16 minute epic, "Terra di Maggio", a valiant prog delight , loaded to the gills with various ARP, Moog, Roland and Akai synths, organs, pianos and mellotrons. I am disappointed that the bass (a huge up- front feature with the previous band incarnations) is deeply buried in the mix but that is just me whining about my fave groove conductor not getting enough of a spotlight. Nevertheless, this colossal piece gets a real ride, up, down and sideways, flowing with tortuous fluidity, best exemplified with a fanfare outro that is sheer pleasure, as the choir mellotrons growl in the background. "La Nascita della Luna" is almost "cathedralesque", an echoing plaintive lament that evokes a simple fragility, a guest violin (Andrea Sibilio) gently guiding the way, where Annalisa gets to stretch out her considerable vocal skills with washes of numerous keyboards coloring the atmosphere. Definitely the serene facet of Italian prog, with massive doses of emotion, restraint and melody! Next up is the masterful traditional/renaissance classical piece , a Helvetic (Swiss) piece , "En Haute de Crete" , with choir-trons wooing intensely the fluid synth flute lead on, a touch of violin spark to add even more grandiose effect, gliding into almost vintage Oldfieldian territory. This is a highlight track that is way too short but devastatingly adroit. "La Bionda Treccia" continues on the road of reworking medieval themes, with an overtly Middle Age feel that is hard to resist, Calliope morphing into expert modern troubadours. Annalisa's speed reading is certainly a highlight. "Il Tempo Sei Tu" prefers a return to the dreamier vanguards of their style, with soaring violin (what a sound!) and a mesmerizing vocal that floats with a grandeur that perniciously abducts the senses. The finale is another gigantic four part suite, "La Visione della Dolce Pioggia", which ultimately defines the musical conscience of this band, where the classical meets the Renaissance while injecting a modern technical instrumental touch. In this, the blessed union of violin and the arsenal of keyboards provide indescribable emotions, sweeping themes with strong impressions, deft playing and a true desire to propel the listener into a distant realm. The main theme is repeated often with utter conviction and gives way to a serene introspection. The more rambunctious sections seem to push the whole piece forward, including some interesting guitar-synthesizer incursions, with great consequence. While not a masterpiece by any stretch, this album is a dedicated companion and a more than worthwhile listen. 4 Clowning Jesters.

Hahaha ! Everytime I listen to the opening title track of this debut album, I cannot help giggling to myself uncontrollably! It sort of reminds me the rather puerile debates about who was the "fastest" guitarist, Alvin Lee, Carlos Santana in the 70s and later between Vai and Satriani, pfff! As if speed mattered! Here, Rinaldo Doro does a Mach 5 velocity synth solo that verges on the near ridiculous, making Wakeman, Emerson and Nolan look like lethargic snails. The fact that this epic track also has some slithering bass lines, cascading mellotron washes, furious drumming and some lovely vocals only adds to the thrill. Truth is I am a big bass guitar fetishist (as some may know by now) and I simply find myself enthralled when the propulsive technique punches ferociously as Enzo Martin does on the entire album. "Non Ci Credo Piu" is a typical ISP track with passionate Italian language vocals, great keyboard playing but literally highlighted by those incredible bass runs. The simmering guitar solo is no "shab" job either! "Lunario" offers immediate respite from the instrumental pyrotechnics as it waltzes unashamed, with a more grandiose slant, thick arrangements verging on more conventional folk themes, with a slick variety of ivories in the arsenal , all mastered by the nimble fingers of Rinaldo! A muted axe solo from Mario Guadagnin leaves a pleasant afterglow. "Pensieri Affascinanti" is another lengthy marathon where singer Massimo Berruti gets to expand gently on the flowing theme, liberating the superlative Hammond M3 organ work and the multifarious guitar explorations that rule the show, proving clearly that these lads can play with the best of them. The finale is grand pomposity incarnate, thick slabs of arrogant symphonic pretense, with lightning hyper-soloing. Bless 'em for they have sinned! Oddly, "Passi Dentro il Tempo" is nothing special, aside from a hunting guitar rampage that elevates the passion. We finally get some release from all the haste with "Avalon", a breezy little affair, with twanging 12 string acoustic, rotund bass, torrents of mellotron, all held together by a plaintive vocal. "L'Anima del Cielo" sends a more atmospheric message, a dreamy concoction with luxuriant keyboards, fluid guitar and that confounded up-front bass guitar! As usual with ISP, the drumming is superb, courtesy of Gianni Catalano. The brief "Mellotronmania" speaks for itself, putting an indelible symphonic stamp on the deal. Yeah, this is 70s style prog made in 1992 but there is certainly nothing wrong with that , it was a golden era in Italy and a huge standard for the future of Prog. The famed Beppe Crovella of Arti+ Mestieri fame produces this record, adding some musical audacity to the proceedings.This is not a masterpiece but rather a good enjoyable recording by above par musicians. Love that bass though! 4 Big Eyes

Good album.

This Citta' di Frontiera, the CALLIOPE's second album, was my first CALLIOPE. As generally said, new Italian progressive rock bands should be sometimes influenced by English progressive rock, and I'm afraid CALLIOPE should be...I think my estimation is a little correct. Well, this phenomenon is not so bad. Their album is constructed by lots of naturally heavy rock songs, and the songs sometimes make their rhythm varied UNNATURALLY. I suppose the unnaturally-varied rhythm was done by them for neo-Italian prog style. But I'm sure it's absolutely okay. Because they seems to be very happy to play the music by CALLIOPE's style and their songs are so hard but so pleasant. The instrumentals and vocal are very lively and even charming. Indeed I cannot recommend this album as a typical masterpiece of Italian progressive rock, but can as a straight rock album. Enjoy it!

Another significant Italian band,who raised in late-80's among others.They werre found in Turin in 1989 (there are rumours that they were a find of Beppe Crovella,former member of ''Arti e Mestieri'') by keyboardist Rinaldo Doro.The band recorded a 4-track demo,before they were joined by singer Massimo Berutti.In 1992 their debut ''La terra dei grandi occhi'' was pressed by Vinyl Magic.

Two things are easily noteable while listening to the album:Firstly,this work is heavily influenced by the Italian likes of the 70's,while it also slips into the heavy prog category in places,supported by the intense vocals of Berutti.Secondly,the album is dominated by the lush keyboard sounds of Doro.Synths and modern keyboard sounds are actually very limited and the album is based on the strong use of the Hammond organ,the flights of the moog,the good piano doses and the analog nostalgia of the mellotron.On the other side,the album includes also a lot of rhythmic heavy prog parts and nice grooves with strong guitar riffs and tight bass/drums,always surrounded by the presence of the organ and the mellotron.Speaking of mellotron,check out one of the most nostalgic short-instrumentals ever,the last track entitled ''Mellotronmania'',filled with tons of memories for the old prog followers.Influenced by both the symphonic (PFM,LE ORME) and the heavy (BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO,IBIS) prog scene of their country,CALLIOPE offered us a work with cool vintage sounds and tight musicianship.An essential album,especially for lovers of the classic Italian prog movement.

Familiar 70s style prog from this Italian five-piece, a group that is fine with the notion of taking from ELP, Yes, Camel and most major Italian Symph acts of the period without any sense of shame. And why not-- if you're gonna steal, steal from the best. Other than this shortcoming of originality, Calliope is a very decent band with plenty of energy and a proud sense of the past. Rinaldo Doro's Arp, Moog, Hammond, Leslie and GEM come in good use and he cracks alive with Mario Guadagnin's nasty hard metal guitar. 8-minute 'La Prova' is promising but ultimately too long for its own good, 'Sarajevo' is better and more complex. But the commercial aspect of this band peeks its ugly head out frequently, cheapening otherwise perfectly fine prog. Weepy ballad 'Margherita a Rodi' is no fun, 'Terra di Nessuno' is a confusing pop-fusion amalgam I would - save a few moments - really only want to hear in a Milan nightclub, and a solitary nylon string guitar piece finishes the first half soothingly. So goes this mixed bag, unpredictable but not in a good way. When they're good, they're good. When they're not, they kinda stink. 'Windsor' starts on an exciting triplet and revels in sounds of the past but once again is sabotaged by this group's tendencies toward self-destruction, torn between cheesy symph-metal and thoughtful music. Not recommended to anyone in particular, but not bad.

My review is produced using this release: Vinyl Magic (New Prog '90) VM NP 01

Rating: 7/10

this is a normal album from a normal band. Sure, because we are in the 90's and these believe of being in the 70's. Therefore they have produced an album too much 70's!!! This is a fortune, instead. And I love the keyboards carpet very powerfull, heavy and melodic. Also the bass line (played by Enzo Martin) and the guitar of Mario Guadagnin are good (listen his guitar work in "Avalon") but the keyboards of Rinaldo Doro are too much invading. Honest the drummer (Gianni Catalano) and Massimo Berrutti is an excellent vocal player but have a voice... Possible that it takes only one note? But the music is very cool, immediate, technique but easy and above all with just Power Rock power (in fact "Non Ci Credo Più" is more Prog Metal of many songs of many Prog Metal acts!!!). In true Calliope is another band in the vein of the PFM but in the version of 80's (in this sense the style seems the continuation of "Suonare Suonare" or "Come Ti Va In Riva Alla Città"). But the Prog is in the DNA of the Calliope and although not symphonics they produced one sort of Symphonic Art Rock but not Symphonic (absurd... but real!!!) where the Symphonic Classic music have an heavy weight but only for inspiration font and the writing. Other important point of the Calliope's music is the emotional part of the Prog that it comes taken advantage also too much, without that it explodes. And this is other good merit of this disc.

Simply, Rock and progressive. If you think that the passion is all, Calliope is your band.

The sound from this italian five piece band delights me from the very first moment: dazzling runs on the Minimoog synthesizer, floods of Hammond organ, majestic Mellotron waves and warm vocals. The tracks "Non ci credo piu", "Lunario" and "Passi dentro il tempo" are fluent tracks featuring powerful play on the guitar and keyboards. More mellow are the songs "Avalon" and "L'anima del cielo" delivering dreamy guitar and compelling organ and Mellotron waves, dynamic drums and emotional vocals. My highlight is the long composition "Pensieri affascinatti": Banks-like organ work, a break with fiery electric guitar and a lush grand finale, layered with vintage keyboards. A pleasant final song is "Mellotronmania", the name of the title speaks for itselfs, MELLOTRON SOUNDS!! Another strong effort from an Italian band, FORZA ITALIA!

www.progwalhalla.com

I was very pleased with the debut CD from Calliope (loaded with vintage keyboards!) so I had high expectations to this second album. Well, some things changed and to my sorrow the Mellotron and Hammond are less dominant. But the compositions sound more elaborated and the music from Calliope features more variation like in "Margherita a Rodi (wonderful ballad with beautiful pianoplay), "Senza pretese" (short acoustic guitar piece), "Windsor" (a spacey intro an then lots of saxophone) and "L'attesa" (folky with soaring keyboards). The unsurpassed Mellotron is only omnipresent in the track "Terra di nessuno" (also featuring a Peter Bardens inspired organ solo). But songs like "La prova" and the splendid final composition "Il ritorno" delivers many pleasant shifting moods and great work on guitar and keyboards. The strong and enthousiastic vocals from Massimo Berruti (what a beautiful Italian names..!) add an extra dimension to the sound of Calliope. If you like melodic, fluent and symphonic rock, this one is yours! FORZA ITALIA!

www.progwalhalla.com

bought this cd last week,this group do a very good job on this cd,great synths/keyboards.very good compositions.i was very impressed with the sound quality of the cd,anyway if you come across it you wont be dissapointed,also you get the feel that these musicians have been playing for 30+ years.just wish these days they were more bands like these