CONCERTO GROSSO - THE SEVEN SEASONS

After some incredible poor albums (ten or so), the band comes back with an old recipe which worked quite well ages ago (especially with their first Concerto). Some fine combination with symphonic prog and classic music.

It is undoubtedly much better than their wandering for thirty years. I particularly appreciate the sweet fluting that can be listened in this album (but this is nothing new even if it is only scarcely available). The small orchestra which is playing with the band does it with skills and it is not too invading which is a good point as far as I'm concerned (even if a pure classic as "High Education" is not my cup of tea).

There are some similarities with the early ELO at times ("Future Joy"), but this is not to dislike me. The frenzy is absolutely welcome and?joyful. Same great feel while the superb "Barocco'n'roll" is being played.

Some of the music features sounds very romantic, even sad at times ("One Magic Night" that sounds as a musical perhaps) but I far much prefer such moods than their awful pop sounds from the late seventies to the early nineties (which means most of their output).

The most moving track is "Testament Of Time" (at least during the instrumental parts): very nice melody, perfect communion with the orchestra and beautiful music indeed. "To Love The Land" is another one made of the same mould. This album is quite a good surprise after all.

One of my fave track from this album is "Simply Angels": it features a gorgeous instrumental intro full of energy and great electric guitar. It changes from mood when the vocals start but the second half of the song is again full of poetry (superb piano play) and energy as well.

There aren't any weak moments on this album. A pleasant album for sure. So good to see the band at this level!

At the end of the day, I have rated their three "Concerto" with three stars. Not that they are equal in quality: the first and third are worth seven out of ten, the second only five. But since there is no way to identify these differences on PA, they all ended up with the same rating.