PER UN AMICO

After the excellent debut ''Storia di un minuto'' and its huge success,PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI enter the studio again to record its follower ''Per un Amico'' in the same year.The album was released on Numero Uno as their debut at the end of 1972.Someone would expect that the band would run out of ideas in such a short time,but that's not the case here...

Listening to ''Appena un' po'' you can know what to expect from the whole album.KING CRIMSON and GENESIS are the band's main influences but now the band presents a more original and personal sound.Mediterrenean tunes (acoustic guitars,flutes,violins) blend with soft guitars,smooth mellotron and deep bass lines in a symphonic magical arrangement.On ''Generale'' the intensity is turned on with a jazzy feeling dominating the track through the complex interplays,while the organ section thrills me every time I listen it.On the self-titled track the folk-tinged face of PFM returns.Here flutes,violins and grand piano are mixed with strong use of the moog synthesizer and the sweet vocals to offer another majestic moment.''Il banchetto'' is the most classical-oriented composition of the album,while it is also the closest one to GENESIS' style.The track opens with delicate acoustic guitars and romantic multi-vocal parts,but soon it's Premoli's moog s6nth,which takes over in a memorable solo,recalling TONY BANKS at his best,while a classical-inspired piano passage towards the end is the best tribute to classical music by a prog band.''Geranio'' closes the album in a folk/symph/pop way with some catchy sung passages leaving their place to flute-driven symphonic rock,accompanied by mellow piano parts and strong violins.Not to notice the grandiose ending section of the track with those haunting tubular bells and spacey synths.Awesome!

Two albums during a year was a rather common thing for a rock band back in the 70's...but two masterpieces during a year is so scarce like finding a button in a lake.This is your best introduction to Italian progressive rock music....and you shouldn't miss it!