GENERAZIONI / GENERATIONS

To write down what happened over the next years regarding the Calliope line-up would be close to pointless.Older and new members came and go constantly between 1995 and 2001 and the only stable piece was keyboardist Enrico Perrucci.Finally the band were close to finding a more solid core in 2002, performing two concerts in 2002.In October of the same year Calliope released ''Generazioni'' on Electromantic, an album like a bridge between their old and more recent days.

This is actually close to a compilation album, with four old tracks performed live by the 1993 line-up and another three classic pieces performed live by the most recent 2002 incarnation.All of them are included in the first couple of Calliope releases, except '' Luci ed Ombre'', which is a never published old track of the band.

The first performance was caught live at at Garibaldi Settimo Torinese in December 1993 with the line-up of Enzo Martin, Mario Guadagnin, Gianni Catalano, Massimo Berruti and Enrico Perrucci.And while the first two Calliope albums are not exactly classics of Italian Prog, these live editions have much more to offer.All the hidden energy of the group is now displayed live, offering impressive Classic-styled Italian Prog with influences from BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO, AREA, PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI or IL BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO, combining symphonic arrangements with more typical Heavy Rock grooves.Perrucci's performs on organ, Mellotron, synths and piano with comfort, the rhythm section is a beast, the guitars are dominant and Berruti's voice might be the best ever offered in a Calliope line-up.Fantastic fast-paced compositions with tons of interplays, hard-edged rhythmic parts, technical twists and turns but also plenty of sensitive, laid-back moments and inspiring melodies, which somehoe had lost their full potential on the normal albums, but now are delivered with incredible passion and huge energy.Absolutely enjoyable and professional Italian Prog.

The three closing tracks come from a performance of the new Calliope in June 2002 at the Electromantic Synergy Studio of Beppe Crovella.As aforementioned Perrucci is the only remaining member of the 93' line-up and he is accompanied by Alessandro Amato on vocals, Flaviano Sciarpa on drums, Francesco Lannocca on guitars and Andrea Crovagna on bass.These three tracks are again fairly symphonic with very tight performances by the new members, maybe offered with a more Neo Prog-ish flavor due to the heavier use of synthesizers.The sound though is strongly rooted in Classic Italian Prog, with the new singer having a strong and expressive voice, which is more than welcome.The melodies are absolutely fascinating, the interplays are now smoother but more than awesome, the atmosphere is more dreamy and ethereal, but the musicianship is still strong, passionate and dynamic all the way.Good synth runs, lovely guitar solos and measured but energetic organ moves comprise for another line of well-crafted Italian Prog-flavored pieces of music.

However Calliope remained unlucky with the line-up shakes and Perrucci had to face series of endless changes in the upcoming years, trying to keep the spirit of the group alive.Fortunately this talented act will show up sometime again in the future.

Considering ''Generazioni'', this has to be one of the most underrated albums of new Italian Prog and definitely among the best compilations to come out from a less known Prog act.Certainly your starting point regarding Calliope's discography and a must-have album for all fans of Italian, Symphonic, Heavy and Neo Prog.Highly recommended.