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Lady In Black View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: PA's Artist of the Week (week 6) Osage Tribe
    Posted: September 14 2007 at 13:35
Osage Tribe is, basically a real Power Trio. But also one of the best Italian band. Osage Tribe realizes only one single and one album. This is a review of "Arrow Head" by Mandrakeroot:

OSAGE TRIBE — Arrow Head

Review by Mandrakeroot (Andrea Salvador)
COLLABORATOR Italian Prog Specialist

5%20stars This review is produced using this release: Bla Bla licensed/ VM2000/ BTF (VM CD 037)

Rating: 8/10

I don't understand because "Arrow Head" is so forgotten... I have listen a lot of albums that do not reach this power and magic. I think that the songs of Arrow Head have a just power also because the drummer is Nunzio "Cucciolo" Favia, one of the best Prog and Rock drummer. The power of "Cucciolo" is the just propellent for this band ("Cucciolo" have a formation in academy of music). Another instrumentalist without which it has been not possible this explosion of power is the bassist Bob Callero (the "Olov" with Il Volo) that that it is in possession a very interesting technique (and today is one of the more appreciate session man in Italy and Europe). Also Marco Zuccheddu have a power, a technique but for me is only one of the more technical instrumentalist of Italy!!! I think that this album have a Classic Music (and not classical) and Jazz inspiration but the power prevails creating a sort of Proto Prog Metal that in Italy only Ibis equaled. And for the music? Interesting the power of "Arrow Head" because very technique and the Jazz inserts of "Cerchio Di Luce" where Bob Callero seems possessed from the devil!!! And of the mystic power (and technique) of "Soffici Bianchi Veli" we want to speak it? And "Orizzonti Senza Fine" is in the same road, confirming that technique is able to be synonymous of immediacy. For me also "Hajenhanhowa" have the just power but this song is, for me, too complicated respect to the remainder of the album. But for me the power and the Jazz Inserts are the winning arm of this album that is also very very very thechnical.

Osage Tribe... Three big musicians for one of the more power Prog albums of the world. It has been the time to rediscover this masterpiece of Power Prog that have this name: "Arrow Head".



And this is micky's review:

OSAGE TRIBE — Arrow Head

Review by micky
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Italian Prog and Art Rock Specialist

5%20stars Prog by it's nature has it's share of albums that you have to concentrate on to listen to.. to ponder deep meanings it it's lyrics or by bizarre twists and turns in the music. Some times it is fun to just have a prog album to turn up to 11, that makes no pretenses but taking the skill of the musicians and making music that is shear power and plain fun to listen to.

Arrowhead by the guitar/bass/drums trio known as Osage Tribe is just an album. Again, as those who know me know, I am not fluent in Italian yet, so any deep meanings in the lyrics are lost to me unfortunately. Thankfully I've never read of any such thing on this hahha. The vocals are not unpleasing at all.. being that this is a very hard aggressive album you aren't going to find beauiful singing on this. The vocals match to music well. What this album though is known for is dynamic rhythm section of RPI (Rock Progressivo Italiano) bassist legend Bob Callero and drummer Nunzio 'cucciolo' Fava. They propel all 5 original album tracks with power and intensity during the hardest sections yet are able to downshift right into the occasional softer section or the more prodominant jazzy sections where the group really could swing. Guitarist Marco Zoccheddu while not known as an A-list RPI instrumentalist like the other two provides firery guitar lines and even the occasional piano in the jazzier sections.

The album kicks off which Hajenhanhowa, which as it sounds is meant to establish some sort of American Indian kind of theme. Chant like vocals and a vaguely Indian type drum beat are at the heart of it. Not exactly a classic album opener..but not bad either. Almost comical in a way.. which isn't bad... who says prog can't make you laugh. A warm up of sorts to what is to follow. The title track, Arrow Head, follows with a frenetic opening with Callero going nuts around the drummer and guitarist. Callero dominates the track with a certain Jack Bruce-ian like 'busy' nature ...dancing all around the others The next track begins the stretch of the album that is to die for.. 'Cerchio di luce' begins with a soft intro that explodes.. receeds in intensity to a soft accoustic section before taking flight again. The song is highlited by a killer jazz section where Callero's walking bass lines anchor a free for all between cucciolo and Zoccheddu's guitar and overdubed piano. The interplay is incredible. Far and away my favorite track on the album. 'Air' guitar, keys, drums, and bass abound on the track hahhaha. Great fusion of jazz stylings into a hard prog masterpiece.

After that I hate to let you down and say the next track is some quiet, lovely interspective song... hah.. so I won't. 'Soffici bianchi veli' is anchored by a killer driving riff that cruises at breakneck speed, with frenetic guitar runs and the always active Callero dancing all around bluesy solos. The song again suddenly downshifts into a slower paced vocal section though Callero can't resist making it interesting again by playing counterpoint to the melody and again dancing around another guitar solo. Maybe not the most complex of songs.. but with the dynamic shifts in style and tempo that we demand of prog. The song is slightly marred by some ...I hate to say it ...horribly recorded accoustic noodlings that actually is a bit painful to listen to. Thankfully they don't last but a short bit The album closes with another midrange workout 'orizzonti senza fine'. A sweet guitar and bass intro begins the song. The vocal sections have some interesting rhythms with some clean chiming guitar. A nice departure from the sonic attack of the previous two tracks. As per prog though.. soon a repeated bass line by Callero herald a new dynamic shift to and away we go into to prog stratosphere where Zoccheddu coaxs sounds from his guitar before returning to the vocal sections and it's interesting rhythm patterns. The song again changes as it, and the album nears the end, with some tape effects over a droning bass chord closes the original album.

The new CD reissue by Vinal Magic has two bonus tracks...of which...hahah.. could be construed as offensive by Native Americans. Full of sterotypical chanting and the such. Pop singles that were included on the new CD release. The less said the better, only to note that Battiato sang on them.

For rating this album..hmmm... reading up on RPI as I do. I had found this album listed as one of the seminal albums of the Italian prog movement. Listening to it.. you can see why. Full of power.. great talents and showcasing future key members of other RPI giants. For that I have to give this album 5 stars. It is a masterpiece and a defining album of RPI. In my rapidly expanding RPI collection... there are few albums that have the power and instrumental firepower as this one. For me.. 4 stars... 'cerrchio di luce' and 'soffici bianchi veli' are well on the way to being established RPI gems for me song-wise. The campy Indian themes though knocks a star off of that, especially the first song. Highly recommended for those who love their prog hard and heavy yet with twists and turns enough to not feel simply bludgeoned over the course of an entire album.

Michael (aka micky)





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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 13:36
awesome!   .Great group.. and fun as all hell to listen to.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 13:37
Eh... Eh... Like Pat Benatar sung... "Hell Is For Children"!!!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 13:44
Originally posted by Lady In Black Lady In Black wrote:

Eh... Eh... Like Pat Benatar sung... "Hell Is For Children"!!!


very proggy song indeed LOL
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 13:52
Originally posted by micky micky wrote:

Originally posted by Lady In Black Lady In Black wrote:

Eh... Eh... Like Pat Benatar sung... "Hell Is For Children"!!!


very proggy song indeed LOL


I confirm.

"Cucciolo" is one of my preferred drummers... Bob Callero is one of the more request session man, today in Italy. Only Zoccheddu not continued its life in musical field.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 13:53
Great band indeed, one of the finest examples of Heavy Prog on the RPI scene. They should get much more attention than they have so far.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 15:00

What a coincidence, Arrowhead is my album of the week as of now, I've been addicted to the insane bass work from Bob Callero.  Soffici Bianchi Veli is surely one of the greatest bass lines of all time imo, I had that damn thing stuck in my head literally ALL DAY on Wednesday...funny because it's complex and quick making it very diffiicult to play air-bass toLOL

btw, thanks micky for the recommendation a few weeks backWink it's a good one (I'll get back to you on Ubi Maior, been kinda busy).

 
I suppose if my schedule permits next week then I'll break my lazy-streak and begin writing reviews, this one'll be at the top of the list...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 15:13
As you are interested in Ubi Maior, whom I know personally, I'd like to post here the link to keyboardist Gabriele Manzini's (formerly with The Watch) blog about his solo project "Akallabeth", inspired by an episode in Tolkien's "The Silmarillion":

http://akallabeth.splinder.com/

Unfortunately the blog is only in Italian, but as you can see there is a final list of song titles, and the album will be released at the end of this year. I think it will be an interesting project, even if probably more on the prog-metal side of things.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 15:20
^^I'll look forward to this, I can recall some great keyboard work on the UM album (yes, even the beloved mellotron) so if that's any indication of the sound of Akallabeth I'll have to check it out, thanks.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 15:41
that's awesome Jimmy.... glad you liked it as much as I did. Clap
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2007 at 18:38
Finally i reviewed "Arrow Head":

OSAGE TRIBE — Arrow Head
Review by Lady In Black (Sara)

5%20stars ARROW HEAD... THE FIRST ARM OF THE MAN

Osage Tribe produced one single and one album in their short career. "Arrow Head" is, simply, a great Heavy Rock album. Nunzio "cucciolo" Favia is one of the best drummer in the world and only a series of fatal situation not permits to affirm itself outside the Italy. "Bob" Callero (later with Il Volo) today is one of the best and request bassists in Italy. Only Zoccheddu not continuied i musical fields. This "Arrow Head" present a big band. For the musical story is another power trio. In this case "Arrow Head" sounds like an atomic bomb because is too technical, simply, also melodic, ironic, self indulgent... And all in the same time. If "Hajenanhowa" have a powerful but not deflagrant melodic reflessive extreme long intro the second part is simply... Prog Metal. Like Prog Metal (if exist Prog Metal in 1972) is "Arrow Head" with an immense "cucciolo" and Zoccheddu with its wah wah distorted guitar. A killer track for a killer band. All the album is in this two songs because the rest of "Arrow Head" is a perfect mix between this two track plus some Jazz interludes. Today "Arrow Head" plays still actual. But is a strange album. This because today an album like this has been gold for a lot of bands. But in 1972 "Arrow Head" was an ordinary album. Not in Italy because the Italian Prog is a mix between Folk, Jazz, Heavy Prog, Symphonic. But "Arrow Head" is a sort of Italian "Salisbury". And this fact help this album to ba a masterpiece. If then we complete everything with three monsters... Five superior songs... "Arrow Head" becomes one of the diamond points of Heavy prog and Italian Prog


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2007 at 18:58
And this from the first single:

OSAGE TRIBE — Un Falco Nel Cielo / Prehistoric Sound
Review by Lady In Black (Sara)

— First review of this album —

3%20stars A HAWK IN THE SKY

I bought this single in 1980 in Venice from an old friend that from 1992 I don't know that end have done. Said this... This is the sole Osage Tribe release with Franco Battiato. Isn't heavy Prog but a good POP single. The A side is the same song of B side. But the B side is sung in English. And if A side is good because POP but extreme technical, the B side sound like a Western film O.S.T.. But this is the sole motive of interesting of this album. The A side ("Un Falco Nel Cielo") was the signature tune of the Italian transmission "Chissà Chi Lo Sa".Just for curiosity.



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2007 at 19:07
Great reviews, mom.

In general this is a great band for a fine Proglovers!!!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2007 at 19:14
Originally posted by Ely78 Ely78 wrote:

Great reviews, mom.

In general this is a great band for a fine Proglovers!!!


it is....  lucky you Elizabeth... not everyone can say their mother is a groupie LOL
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2007 at 19:18
Originally posted by micky micky wrote:

Originally posted by Ely78 Ely78 wrote:

Great reviews, mom.

In general this is a great band for a fine Proglovers!!!


it is....  lucky you Elizabeth... not everyone can say their mother is a groupie LOL


Oooh... I think that this honour I will not have it ever!!! 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2007 at 19:21
Originally posted by Mandrakeroot Mandrakeroot wrote:

Originally posted by micky micky wrote:

Originally posted by Ely78 Ely78 wrote:

Great reviews, mom.

In general this is a great band for a fine Proglovers!!!


it is....  lucky you Elizabeth... not everyone can say their mother is a groupie LOL


Oooh... I think that this honour I will not have it ever!!! 


oooh what a lucky man....he was.... LOL





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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2007 at 21:10
Nice to see this kind of topics, Osage Tribe and other bands deserve more attention, Arrow Head is a magnific album, i hope people try this album and enjoy it.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 16 2007 at 12:29
Originally posted by memowakeman memowakeman wrote:

Nice to see this kind of topics, Osage Tribe and other bands deserve more attention, Arrow Head is a magnific album, i hope people try this album and enjoy it.


yes, you are totally reason. The true Heavy Prog is that of obscure and semi obscured bands. Like this Osage Tribe... like 70's Deep Purple... like Blackmore/ Dio's Rainbow... Like Iron Butterfly and Vanilla Fudge... like Andromeda (UK) and Argent...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 16 2007 at 12:31
Originally posted by micky micky wrote:

Originally posted by Mandrakeroot Mandrakeroot wrote:

Originally posted by micky micky wrote:

Originally posted by Ely78 Ely78 wrote:

Great reviews, mom.

In general this is a great band for a fine Proglovers!!!


it is....  lucky you Elizabeth... not everyone can say their mother is a groupie LOL


Oooh... I think that this honour I will not have it ever!!! 


oooh what a lucky man....he was.... LOL



Lucky man? Mandrakeroot don't practice sex with me... ShockedLOLWink Also if...ShockedEmbarrassedEmbarrassedWinkLOLBig%20smile
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 16 2007 at 12:33
hahahha..  we just love to make Mandy blush.  Embarrassed
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