Explain Why You Like Italian Prog Rock?
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
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Forum Description: General progressive music discussions
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=130431
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Topic: Explain Why You Like Italian Prog Rock?
Posted By: SuperMetro
Subject: Explain Why You Like Italian Prog Rock?
Date Posted: January 29 2023 at 17:55
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So I really only enjoy some and not all Italian Progressive Rock. Some of it is even a guilty pleasure like Jumbo. I enjoyed PFM, Banco, and one-shots Museo Rosenbach(Zarathustra), and Alphatarus. I even enjoy Le Orme in a way with the spacey keyboards of Tony Pagliuca and the warm vocals of Aldo Tagliapietra. However, groups like Il Balleto di Bronzo and L'Uovo di Colombo turn me off from this music due to mainly how weak the songwriting can be on occasion(for me at least). Il Balleto di Bronzo sounds too harsh and also a lot of forgettable instrumental sections(except for the ending of Epilogo) and L'Uovo di Colombo just kinda sound typical. There are also parts where it just seems like they are rocking out over one chord. PFM's La Carozza Di Hans is pretty good for the most part, but I always found the acoustic guitar solo rather lacking. Both my brother and I agree that we could play just as well as Franco Mussida did on that one track. Matter of fact Steve Howe did something like it better on Tales from Topographic Oceans(Giants Under The Sun). As a guitar player myself, the stuff the typical RPI musicians are playing does not really sound virtuosic and can often sound like noodles boiling. I found myself being able to play better. However, I also found myself to be rather influenced by some of this. The sad thing is that I once saw this type of music as magical but now I kind of see it as mediocre and see the RPI scene as mostly a novelty act for me. Although I am saying that there is a lot of noodling in Italian Prog music, there is still some really good lines in the music. Most notably: The last 8 minutes of the Zarathustra suite, the 6/8 melody trade-off in Banco's Metamorphosi, or especially the synthesizer interlude in PFM's Il Banchetto. Maybe in 3 months, RPI will completely wane in my head and then instead of Banco and PFM, Federico Fellini will instead become my favorite Italian artist. He even cast Francesco di Giacomo in several of his movies.  |
Replies:
Posted By: Manuel
Date Posted: January 29 2023 at 21:51
| Italian, German, Swedish, French, etc, it does not matter to me. If I like it, I’ll listen to it. |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 01:34
| ..because Per Un Amico may be the best music I've ever heard. Its warm and has a high level of technicality and composition. Not over reaching for the sake of it but enough mystery and complexity to keep the listener interested. For me RPI is founded on those early PFM albums but I enjoy Le Orme and Banco a lot plus some of the more 'obscure' acts. They know what they are about. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 01:44
with the risk of sounding like a jerk (I've been called worse  ) I'll ask this of you: can you edit the thread title and take out the word "justify"? It feels/sounds aggressive and nobody has to justify anything. A word like "explain" is better or just ask "why do you like RPI? Semantics, i know, but still... 
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Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 02:37
Vim Fuego (of Bad News): I could play "Stairway To Heaven" when I was 12. Jimmy Page didn't
actually write it until he was 22. I think that says quite a lot.
------------- 
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SuperMetro wrote:Posted By: Greenmist
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 03:23
I clicked on this thread just to see if someone would make a reply like this, cause not too long ago i made a thread on here myself titled "how do you explain/justify to people why you like progressive rock?" and the main reception i got was "i dont justify to anybody why i like a certain type of music, and if they are someone that expects people to justify to them why they like a certain type of music, then they need to grow up", and other replies like "you cant justify to someone why you like progressive rock, you just do. It be like trying to justify why you like pizza......you just do".
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 03:30
"Justify" implies that I have to defend myself, like I have to win an argument, prove I'm right or something, which it's not the case here.
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Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 04:48
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Sorry I can't take this seriously. Finding you're able to play something that somebody else has cretaed better than them is not an argument for or against anything. Music is an artform. RPI musicians or other progressive rockers didn't sign up on a contract to sound virtuosic all the time. The bands that do are often the least interesting ones. If anything I think supermetro should be the one to justify his approach to art. -------------
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Posted By: JD
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 04:58
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Justify this !  ------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 05:22
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I adore Italian prog. Modern Italian prog rivals the 70s RPI. If you haven't listen to modern RPI...your missing out. I recommend a PA search of RPI since 1990. Justify it? The majority of RPI is sung in Italian. The majority of Italian words end in a vowel. Therefore, it's difficult not to rhyme. The vowel assonance in RPI sounds pleasing to my ears.
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Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 05:38
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The musicianship is usually top notch. Also, once in a while a little over-the-top theatric bombast is welcome (even needed). ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: SuperMetro
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 05:58
I am talking about that part after the vocals where the guitar player solos for 2 minutes on the acoustics. I always found it to be a bit disappointing as I wished they came up with a different passage. That section sounds rather improvised while Stairway was written out(although the famous guitar solo was improvised).
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Posted By: SuperMetro
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 06:08
I think Saperlipopette should be the one justifying his approach to what people think is art. He is the Jerk Store's No 1 Seller. Ok so my approach to art is that if the piece is able to touch you in a way then you can remember the piece for doing so. I do not believe there is good or bad music, cinema, literature, or anything. Some music that one conceives as crappy could also be conceived as moving to the next person. Art could be able to be involved in your life in a helpful stand point and could often show you the "rights and wrongs" of the world. I enjoy all types of music from rock, jazz, afrobeat, country, folk, and even exotica. Italian Prog Rock is just a small field when compared to the millions of other pieces of art in the world. So. Relax. I am not expecting them to play virtuosically all the time. Matter of fact I hate when a group plays so virtuosically that I do not really hear any music and just a bunch of showmanship. With a lot of Italiano, I hear mediocre production that kind of takes from the music. I also feel like I am listening to an album and nothing else. I still appreciate other forms of music however. "
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Posted By: Mormegil
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 06:20
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It makes my ears happy. ------------- Welcome to the middle of the film. |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 06:37
Hi, Reminds me of the big thing done by Picasso in the city of Chicago ... and many people pass by it, and don't really discuss anything ... like it or don't is all you hear, and occasionally how much did they pay him, anyway? I like a lot of different music and art, and Italian is not the only one ... sort of like asking why do you like Puccini, instead of Wagner ... it really makes no sense what the answer will be since the majority has no merit from a musical or artistic point of view. I like the "symphonic" style in a lot of Italian bands, and how they went for it with a classical idea and style for a long time, until it all just became "songs". To me, the classical influence is very visible, and many times it is not just a jingle or a fun bit ... it's serious. Banco is the best example. That's well defined and formulated music in their first 3 albums, for sure! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 06:47
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I love the musicianship and the expressive vocals. I also like the Italian language so this helps, too. I'll post a list of bands I enjoy a little bit later.
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Posted By: Argentinfonico
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 07:27
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Italian speaking is immediately associated with singing. Italy is a country that has always taken music very seriously, and has found a home in progressive rock. Music that is optimistic, elaborate, airy, deep, dramatic and technical. The best RPI albums contain some of the most symphonic material I have ever heard in progressive rock. It's as if the musicians' veins were slides where the sounds of the wind instruments flow and fly over them. Each of us is looking for something different in art, despite how much we like to find content of artistic and compositional quality regardless of its message. In my case, I am looking for music that leads me on the path of good and inspiration, and perhaps RPI is the most suitable sub-genre for that. ------------- -Will I see you tonight? -I never make plans that far ahead. Casablanca (1942) |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 09:19
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How come I love and adore much of Italian Progressive Rock? Well, I simply can't put into words the magical feelings and experience, I've had with it and not least with these albums: Alphataurus Alphataurus (1973) Area Crac! (1975) Banco del Mutuo Soccorso Darwin! (1972) Banco del Mutuo Soccorso Io Sono Nato Libero (1973) De De Lind Io Non So Da Dove Vengo… (1972) Il Balletto di Bronzo Ys (1972) Le Orme Felona e Sorona (1973) Metamorfosi Inferno (1973) Museo Rosenbach Zarathustra (1973) Premiata Forneria Marconi Per Un Amico (1972) Procession Frontiera (1972) Quella Vecchia Locanda Quella Vecchia Locanda (1972) Quella Vecchia Locanda Il Tempo della Gioia (1974) Semiramis Dedicato a Frazz (1973) ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 12:00
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Even if I'm Italian I'm not really a fan of RPI as a genre, but as somebody else has written, if I like something I don't care where it's from. But one element that should not be missed is the lyrics. Usually Italian bands care a lot about the lyrics. A serious Italian band will never write anything like "cockataye taye toka" (I love Jon Anderson and YES despite the lyrics) ------------- Curiosity killed a cat, Schroedinger only half. My poor home recorded stuff at https://yellingxoanon.bandcamp.com |
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 12:14
But if one doesn't know Italian, then it all sounds like that. ------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man. |
Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 13:17
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Italy has produced some great prog, especially symphonic. I speak italian and that helps. Besides the usual suspects PFM, Banco, Il Balleto di Bronzo, Le Orme, Area or Museo Rochenbach, I want to praise an album I love, La Locanda delle Fate's Forse Le Luciole Non Si Amano Piu. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 13:23
and it's a great album, it deserves all the love it gets.
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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 13:39
Exactly. I'm listening to music I like, not kicking the dog. ------------- https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow">  https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 15:38
While my advice was, instead of being deffensive be offensive, which means, instead of defending Progressive Rock, praise it.
 ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: fredyair
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 19:25
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What's not to like? Like with any other music genre there are ones that pleases you and others that wont. What I love the most about IPR is the dramatic turns and their classic music roots. ------------- Long live Progresive music! |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 20:46
Explain Why You Like Italian Prog Rock?Ummm...because it sounds good? WTF? What's next, explain why you like French prog rock? Will we being explaining why we like Scandinavian prog rock, or will we be parsing it out per Norse country? Will we be Finnished then? ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: siLLy puPPy
Date Posted: January 30 2023 at 22:41
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The main difference between Italian prog rock and others is primarily because of the Italian language being so beautiful. The rhythmic display of the linguistics allows the music to excel. Of course there are other bands like Pichio di Pozzo and Il Balletto di Bronzo that are just phenomenal instrumentalists but that's not unique to Italy. So the answer to your question is the language really. -------------  https://rateyourmusic.com/~siLLy_puPPy |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: January 31 2023 at 00:58
You didn't mention English. ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: January 31 2023 at 01:05
Besides many other things, I surely love the Italian vocals, and in fact, I admire them very much for being so exceptionelly good.
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: January 31 2023 at 01:33
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For those who miss English translations of Italian Prog lyrics, on the site http://www.arlequins.it/translations/translations.asp are not so few:
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 31 2023 at 01:38
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List of Italian bands/RPI I enjoy Goblin Arti & Mestieri PFM Banco Locanda delle Fate Semiramis Quella Vecchia Locanda Museo Rosenbach Le Orme Octopus Cherry Five Osanna Il Balletto Di Bronzo Corte dei Miracoli New Trolls Alphataurus Picchio dal Pozzo Apoteosi L'Uovo Di Colombo
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: January 31 2023 at 03:15
One thing is your personal view of RPI, SuperMetro, another the general one considering Italian Prog as some of the very finest of Progressive Rock. I think, those are simply the facts you've got to deal with - and I guess, that's what you're doing now, but it's maybe not the best way to do it.
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 31 2023 at 03:37
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A complete list of Italian prog bands I know and like:- Antonius Rex Jacula A complete list of Italian pop bands I know and like:- Novecento (1900)
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: January 31 2023 at 06:28
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Sorry, SuperMetro, for this post of mine being off-topic:
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: SuperMetro
Date Posted: January 31 2023 at 09:28
No problem at all.
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: January 31 2023 at 11:12
So this is your Top 3 of Italian music, Paul and Ozgur may be happy.------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: January 31 2023 at 13:56
Thanks, and I wish you best luck in your dealing with RPI, whatever the outcome may be. ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: January 31 2023 at 23:17
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I'm curious about your very small list, Paul. Is it because you're not familiar with much more of Italian Prog, or you haven't yet found more you like? ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: February 01 2023 at 02:04
I've got nothing at all against Italian Prog, but there simply aren't enough hours in the day to listen to everything, especially bearing in mind I already have my hands full listening to British, Dutch, German, Greek and Swiss Prog, as well as Prog from around Eastern Europe, not to mention all of the 8,000+ albums in the Jazz-Funk Lounge and Psychedelic Soul Kitchen.
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Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: February 01 2023 at 02:34
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: February 01 2023 at 05:36
I surely understand that, Paul, I was just a bit in doubt with the intention of your post, and since you wrote "complete list". ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: February 01 2023 at 05:45
It's a "complete list" at the moment, as Jacula and Antonius Rex are the only Italian Prog bands I'm familiar with. Hopefully, I may get around to posting a Novecento tribute thread - the best Italian Pop band of the 1900's - then at least I can do my bit for promoting Italian Pop, but when it comes to promoting Italian Prog, I'll leave that in Andrea's more than capable hands.
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Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: February 01 2023 at 07:29
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^ It's a bit of a shame that Italian Prog for some reason is amongst the music you don't find the time to familiarize yourself with. Knowing your tastes and preferences somewhat, I'm almost a 100% certain you'd find more to love there than most of what you got your hands full listening to. -------------
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: February 01 2023 at 07:50
I don't doubt it.
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Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: February 03 2023 at 04:31
likely true. It's my same feeling when I listen to Finnish bands------------- Curiosity killed a cat, Schroedinger only half. My poor home recorded stuff at https://yellingxoanon.bandcamp.com |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: February 03 2023 at 09:58
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The above post sort of explains my trouble with RPI also. The music itself is usually excellent but I can't relate as well to it due to being in the Italian language. I'm missing all the context , culture , and meaning since I only know English. Reading along in English helps but it's not the same.... and btw...thanks to David for posting that link. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Dapper~Blueberries
Date Posted: February 03 2023 at 10:32
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I think it just comes down to the fact that, for the most part, bands take the best parts of both the symphonic prog of Genesis and ELP, and prog folk of Harmonium and Spirogyra, fuses them, and adds in their own unique spices and flairs that creates for a fun experience. ------------- D~B |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: February 03 2023 at 10:45
I wonder how many Italians were listening a Canadian prog band back in the 70s?! I doubt Harmonium were an influence on RPI bands. There were prog-folk bands all over Europe anyway...
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: February 03 2023 at 12:55
thanks ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: February 03 2023 at 13:01
Harmonium was formed in 1972 and the first album came in 1974, but certainly interesting thoughts these of yours, very well put, and Folk influences for sure.
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |