CELESTE

Well, now... Sometimes you simply go overboard with things. I wanted "Principe d'un giorno" but couldn't resist this box set of all the albums made by Celeste and St. Tropez. Besides being an extremely beautiful box, all white and very classy, it's content is very pleasing indeed. You get both the english and italian version of "Principe..." which is quite fun. For me, who does not speak italian by any means, appreciate the chance to grasp the lyrics. If I have too choose, though, I'll go for the italian version. I have always found that the charm with RPI is strongly connected to the language.

Not everything on here is worth four stars but the point is this, the music is gorgeous and collected in this way it gives you, the listener, a wholeness which I like very much. Strictly not an essential buy by any length but if you do get the chance to get hold of it, please do. It fits in well with the rest of the RPI in your collection and visually it is stunning. Beauty and grace, both musically and visually.

I bought the boxed set of Celeste albums by chance and I am quite fond of it. Especially so when it comes to "Principe..." The music on this particular album is very dreamy, gentle and soothing. It flows by quite gracefully. Melodiuos and well played, with that typical RPI sound. On the other hand I find there's also a hint of the british sound, which I really enjoy. There are lots of keyboards on here, something deeply appreciated by me.

Although the album is very enjoyable and relaxing I find myself void of any real memories of the music after playing it. The music is, like Jade Warrior's "Waves", beautiful but not too memorable. I listened to it again this morning. Outside he sun shone, making the snow glisten. It was all very tranquil and peaceful. Lovely. And I do like the album, it's good. It simply fails to make any lasting impression. That is why I reward this album with a solid three stars. There's no shame in that, now is there?

A delicate and prettified pastoral prog album, recorded in 1974 but delayed for two years until it crept out on the Grog label. In principle, delaying the release wasn't necessarily a terrible idea - the Italian market had been so flooded with similar material from 1972 to 1974 that giving it a bit of time to clear wasn't a completely wrong-headed move, but fashions had moved on by the time it was released and so until the reunion albums in the early 1990s Celeste were doomed to be yet another RPI one-album wonder. Here, the album is elevated above the typical Trespass-era Genesis-worshipping fare by the strong musicianship; Mariano Schiavolini's acoustic guitar is a particular highlight, and few prog fans can resist an album incorporating not one but two skilled Mellotron players.

3.5 stars. It was great to see the two positive reviews from Hugues and James here because there isn't much love for this posthumous release in Prog circles. Maybe it's because people are comparing it to their debut which is considered a masterpiece by many including myself. Maybe it's the complete change in styles from the pastoral beauty of the debut to the jamming Jazz / Rock. I don't know but I think the criticism is a little unfair. CELESTE were working on their followup but disbanded before recording the album. Mellow Records has released over 71 minutes of music here and some of the songs are of demo quality and feel unfinished. Regardless there is enough amazing music on here that it gets me excited just thinking about it. I've not given this 4 stars because of two of the longer tracks (5 & 6) that just don't sound that good, and that's over 22 minutes of music right there. On the other hand i'm so into this album that i've actually burned myself a cd out of my original copy that consists of around 45 minutes worth of fantastic music. I love these tracks where they simply jam. I just get lost in the music and hope it never ends.

Some of the highlights include the short mellotron laden opener and the followup "Bassa Marea" where the mellotron binge continues but this time with a beat. Amazing sound ! "Un Mazzo Di Ortiche" is a 13 minute jam that is laid back with prominant bass and sax.The pace picks up before 4 1/2 minutes and vocals join in. It calms right down before 7 1/2 minutes.The sax is back later. Love this stuff. "Sette Ottavi" features vibes, sax, mellotron and a beat leading early on.The bass is chunky 1 1/2 minutes in.Soon the mellotron and vibes stop but they return later on.

"Slancio Dell'Immaginazione" opens with piano, light drums and bass. Synths replace the piano and then sax replaces the synths as they continue to trade off. "Un'Anima Nell'Universo" sounds incredible as well with the piano, drums, bass and flute standing out. "Nodissea" features sax before a minute as the piano and bass continue. Flute before 2 1/2 minutes. "Ala Del Pensiero" has this beat with piano, bass, mellotron and sax standing out. So good.

It's a shame not to give this 4 stars but as I said, on the whole it's not worth that rating because of some clunkers they should have omitted. Oh well i'm so thankful to own this for all the other amazing tunes.

Celeste - Principe di un Giorno (1976)

...the Italian artistic flavor, so amazing!...

This one-shot wonder from Italia is really something. Most of the bands in the RPI scene had adopted the heavy ELP-styled symphonic prog sound with Deep Purple like rock sounds, but not Celeste.

The sound of Celeste can best be described as a very gentle interpretation of the symphonic prog scene with a lot folkish and classical music influences. A perfect combination of acoustic instruments like guitar, piano and wind-instruments with a slight electronic symphonic edge. Mellotrons all over the place! The songwriting is very strong and has an atmospheric, devoted feel.

'I Talk to the Wind' of the King Crimson debut could be seen as a good point of reference here. Celeste's Principe di un Giorno has songs with this amazing impacts with the same amazing wind-instruments. A warm bath of acoustic/symphonic music.

The recording of the album is good. I have only one complaint. Some of the wind and key instruments are recorded in a slightly different pitch which can be a bit disturbing for musicians. After continues listening to this album this becomes part of the album and it doesn't bother me anymore.

Conclusion. A very good light, but artistic, symphonic record from the RPI scene. Due to it's different approach on the symphonic prog genre this is an excellent addition to almost any- ones collection. Only those who are in need of (hard) rock instrumentation might be left unsatisfied. This is a record about beauty, it's slightly progressive and always gentle. I love the Italian artistic flavor. Four stars! Buy.

Subtlety, beauty and erudi. An album that does not refer to rock music at its all.

The basic instrumentation line up consits an e-piano, guitar (payed by the classical way), bass, a couple of flutes and an extremely calm voice. Saxophones, organs and keyboards are also found.

The album consists seven songs but it has lots of melodies (some of them refers to other melodie played minutes ago), some of the best i ever heard.

I consider this album a pearl of the italians and a pearl of the simphonics. For all those who like RPI or acoustic progressive music. A trip. A Masterpiece.

Although closer to the early King Crimson Celeste is not proper the kind of band that conquest me. Ok, 'Principe di un giorno', album wrote in 1973, recorded in 1974 and published by Grog in 1976 is a good Pastoral Prog album and nothing more. Unfortunately, although I have heard several times, I admit that 'Principe di un giorno' is a good album, can not create that magic that is often the winner quid.

Interesting for songs, without heavy or invadent arrangements 'Principe di un giorno' find victory in the production, even if too powerful, which penalizes the songs. Also because off between the electrical parts (very light) and the acoustic parts (too light) ruining the feelings, because they are not very developed, being an end in themselves. correct the sung parts, appropriate to the style of songs and genre.

That 'Principe di un giorno' be a good album is also my conviction. In any case, for me, 'Principe di un giorno' remain a good example of Italian 70's music.

Talk about a perfect title, an all white album (just like the Beatles dared!) and just to confuse matters a bit more; a mellotron-sated pastoral Italian School of Progressive classic to boot (the shape of Italy from way up in satellite land!). While many boldly orate about RDM, Banco, Le Orme, PFM , Museo Rosenbach and company, this little fragile gem continues to dazzle, proving that there are fundamental reasons why most Italians cook so fabulously! They know how to combine natural products so well: juicy and ripe tomatoes, crisp and crunchy red onions, grandiose acidy capers and the most delectable cheese you can think of. Put them all together, a little salt and pepper, then a sprig of fresh basil and Ecco il Paradiso! On "Principe di Giorno" the musicians emulate their mammas in the cucina by adding magical flute, divine acoustic guitar and heavenly blasts from the ubiquitous Mellotron, plus an occasional dash of gentle choir, church organ and those trembling vocals that have inspired many for centuries. This is true music genius, a medicating journey of unfettered bliss, a mature expression of celestial inspiration, placid introspection and dreamy Sunday morning relaxation. That this superlative disc offers genuine panacea is uncontestable as one would be hard pressed to find fault with such splendor. Even the hard rockers need to rest their head banging carcasses on occasion! That there are powerful early King Crimson influences in attendance here should come as no surprise, as Italy was surely one of the first countries to openly embrace the liquid beauty of progressive rock, inspiring a rich musical culture that could add its own folk/classical aromas without too much of a hardship. Hence, an entire arsenal of instruments are presented here, with everything from xylophones, saxes, violins, flutes, assorted percussive implements, blending superbly with the majestic piano, the grinding mellotron (and its local derivative, the Eminent),some electric piano as well as some synths (the good old ARP 2600). The amazing tracks really do not deserve to be served up individually since they form nothing more than an elegant suite of songs that have a continuity that contributes grandly to the overall impression. I cannot help smirking at the oft repeated thought that this may put you asleep, because elevator muzak this is definitely not. It is not inconspicuous, boring, dull or even repetitive. In fact, the finale "L'Imbroglio" even offers up playfulness and humor. It just needs a special time and place for it to be enjoyed properly, like after a rowdy night out drinking, flirting and carousing with your social cronies, nothing is better than this to crash on the sofa and crank up the volume. But it can also be an inspiration to make passionate love to a bella ragazza (or your wife!) and ultimately , a great choice on a Sunday morning between Ant Phillips' Slowdance and Iona's Open Sky, a tasty frittata brunch waiting on the patio , as the birds dance to the sights and sounds of peaceful harmony. This is not just music, its medicine! An absolute necessity in any prog collection worthy of "envergure" (French for depth). This is dedicated to Raff and Micky! I can only imagine them listening to this ! 5 passionate bravos.

Celeste was a band of the early seventies Italian prog scene. They came from Liguria and the line up featured Ciro Perrino (drums, percussion, flute, keyboards, vocals), Leonardo Lagorio (keyboards, flute, sax), Mariano Schiavolini (guitar, violin) and Giorgio Battaglia (bass). Their debut album was composed in 1973 and recorded in 1974 but it was released only two years later by the independent label Grog (lead by New Trolls' member Vittorio De Scalzi and by his brother Aldo, founder member of Picchio dal Pozzo). The music on this album is soft and challenging, showcasing a wide range of influences swinging from early King Crimson to Amazing Blondel, from classical music to jazz, from Italian singer songwriters like Fabrizio De Andrè to Italian prog bands like Delirium and PFM... Nonetheless the band managed to shape an original and interesting sound that would have deserved more attention.

The dreamy opener "Principe di un giorno" depicts peaceful and timeless melodic landscapes mirroring "colour changes"... "Prince for one day / You are looking for a lawn to rest / You dream the wise man in white / Who shows you the way towards endless realms / Where the wind does not blow anymore...

Next comes the long "Favole antiche" (Ancient Tales) where the band seems to be "talking to the wind": the mood is ethereal while a "coffer of sounds" invites you to listen to ancient fairy tales... The following "Eftus" and "Giochi nella notte" (Games In The Night) are delicate acoustic pieces with a nice classical flavour... On this album lyrics do not tell stories, they suggest images to stir your emotions: so, just relax and enjoy the sound of acoustic guitars and flutes while melodic vocals soaring from the dark ask "Where is it? Who knows? / It's here! / In me? In you? / Yes it is..."

The structure of the pieces is complex but rhythm never gets frenzy while "sailing towards a large fantastic island where the fate is dancing"... "La grande isola" (The Great Island), "La danza del fato" (The Dance Of The Fate) and "L'imbroglio" (The Cheat) flow among the echoes old troubadours' songs and classical music patterns leading you to the end of an album that seems to be conceived as a musical dream... "Veil your voice while you play the lute looming songs and harmonies by the seaside"...

On the whole this one is an excellent album but it needs some time to be completely appreciated: the risk on the first listening is that you could got asleep before the end...

After listening to this recording all the way through with open ears and not really comparing it to Celeste original masterpiece first album, this is a fine album. It does have (as other reviewers have mentioned) a bit of an unfinished/not mastered feel to it - BUT! not to excess. It doesn't sound like some of the other Italian offerings - which are great musically - but totally unacceptable sonically.

There's a bit of everything; the traditional soft side of Celeste, but also an almost jazz/slight (and I mean slight!) RIO feel to it. A lot of improvisation by the woodwind player, and it's very effective and high quality.

The CD has a lot of material, and maybe too much for one setting, but still, overall this is what great contemplative progressive music is about. I love it, and highly recommend it to those a bit more adventurous soul's out there.

As always, thanks to Prog Archives for having us too absorbed with music types spouting our opinions and love of this high art.

Tom