Stormy Six

I first heard of them through a Recommended Records sampler in the early 80s, which had a gorgeous song on it called "Reparto Novita". A few years ago, I finally found a CD of the SS album with this song, "Al Volo". Somehow, the mix on the song was much better on the RR sampler, the guitars were blistering, and the album production is somehow too compressed, the guitars mixed very low. But the materiel is great, it's closer to traditional progressive than a lot of Rio, which tends more toward modern chamber music, this is really a great rock ensemble. It has similiarities to Italian Symphonoic Prog, but is more sober and direct than PFM or Banco, and not as jazzy as Arti e Mistieri. Great vocals & arrangements, & perhaps more influence of Italian folk, although very electric. And that's still one of my favorite songs ever.
    

Edited by RoyalJelly - June 07 2006 at 05:19

Don't forget that they used to play quite straightforward pop music in the era before l'Apprendista, reportedly sharing the stage with some big rock names.

If you're scared off by RIO because you associate it with the menacing minor-key Univers Zero style then try l'Apprendista because it's less heavy, quite fun-loving and based firmly in songs rather than "compositions."