Is RPI sung in English - really RPI?

Difficult to say, with the classic bands they would inarguably be still part of RPI, which I gather was as much a regional movement as a full fledged music style, though I don't think there were any who sang solely in English though.

With modern bands it's much harder to say, but I'd be inclined to agree with you but I'd hope there was more to it than that, the classic Itaian bands had something about there sound beyond singiong in their native language that separated them from the English, German, French etc groups. I'm not at all well versed on modern symphonic bands, too many of those that I have sampled have come across as being a little bit sterile, but if this distinction still hilds true then I'd say it was more important than the language the singer used. 

^Very nicely put my friend. I was going to say something similar:)
The Italian ingredient - that is the essence of the RPI sound - doesn't necessarily have to come from the vocals, although I vastly prefer that. The music surrounding the vocals is often what takes you directly into the heartland of pasta.

Acqua Fragile and Ibis also spring to mind, but yeah the RPI groups taking the English route are far and between.

OK, controversial ponderings time!

Consider, if you will, the English-language versions of albums like Le Orme's `Felona', Maxophone, parts of some Osanna albums, the New Trolls `Concerto Grosso' etc, and the first several PFM albums (up unto, say, `Jet Lag')...

I have no doubt that, especially in the case of the PFM albums, those English versions were some of the first Italian prog albums that many worldwide listeners ever heard...

Should they be given credit for being the introduction many people had to some of these bands?

Oh yes the mighty Trolls!! I completely forgot about that one. Not a fan though. I prefer the offshoot that made Tempi Dispari. Great space fusion or something to that effect.

I was only able to find the English Banco album (other than listening on streaming sites) and honestly I still love it!

^ I hope miss Italy kicked the right butt. 

Yes.

For me personally... Italian vox are requisite for my RPI shelf.  There are several key sound components I associate with good RPI but the vocals would be the single most important one of those to me.  Warm flowing phrases and boisterous operatic voice compared to too-oft poorly utilized English? It's just a non-starter. I have some Italian prog with vocals that are just cringeworthy because of the English.  And it's not just the often commented upon accents that are the biggest problem, but the understanding of words and phrases, the timing and pronunciations, the flow.  I'm honestly not trying to trash in a mean way those singers who choose to use English because they think it will appeal to greater numbers.....but I'm also just not interested in hearing it anymore.  Not when there is so much rich RPI with very high quality Italian language vocals to be had, both old and new.  You could spend a lifetime trying to hear it all.  Once you fall in love with the language it becomes another fine instrument in the band and quite essential even for those of us who are non-Italian speakers. 

I encourage people new to Italian prog to get past their difficulty with the language (assuming they find it hard to appreciate initially) and stick with it.  It will eventually click and I guarantee it will reward you down the road.  Sometimes it takes time to appreciate the best of anything.  I likewise encourage Italian bands to reject English and use your first language, your mastery of it will make your album more appealing in the long haul.   




Edited by Finnforest - June 30 2015 at 22:07

Let's imagine that an English Symphonic rock band, old or new doesn't metter, are recording their songs in Italian language. That assumed English Symphonic rock band are gonna be tagged as RPI. Or maybe not?

Edited by Svetonio - July 01 2015 at 00:10