Italian Prog

If yopu would had asked me 2 or 3 years ago I would have voted for PFM without any doubt, but now my opinion has partially changed:

1. The best Italian albums are IMO Darwin! (BDMS) and Felona e Sorona (Le Orme)
2. PFM has the most solid career
3. Can't say which is the best band, because all the mentioned including Quella Vecchia Locanda are superb.
4. One of the few Italian bands I don't like is Deus Ex Machina very much, specially because of Aberto Piras's voice and the lyrics in Latin, if you want good music in Latin listen Gaudete by Steeleye Span.

Iván

PFM means the "Award Winning Marconi Bakery," as in the title of their compliation released circa 75/76/whatever.

For me its a tie between PFM, Banco, and Quella Vecchia Locanda. Quella Vecchia were just cut out too soon but some of their material is just outstanding (Prologo, Sogno Resviglio E, Villa Doria Pamphili...). Museo Rosenbach suffers too from releasing too little material, although Zarathustra is at the level of any other record to come out of Italy.

"Le orme" is best traslated as "the footprints".

Track and Footprint mean the same Mirco  Orme is very similar to horma in spanish and this word describes the shape of the foot.

Iván

"Le orme" is best traslated as "the footprints". The word "premiata" means "awared", but Ivan's translation works well too.

I also suggest to take a close listen to Il rovescio della medaglia's  Contaminazione. An outstandig album, with music of Luis Henriquez Bacalov based on Bach.

Sweetnighter wrote: Can somebody translate the names of these bands too?

And why every 2nd Italian band has so long and hardly-to-remember name? Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, Locanda Delle Fate, Quella Vecchia Locanda, Premiata Forneria Marconi, Arti Et Mestieri, Il Balletto Di Bronzo... The names like Yes or Gong are indeed much easier to remember

It seems like I listen Banco more than other Italians... ...because I have 6 of their albums!

Banco del Mutuo Soccorso....Bank of the Mutual Aid

"Mutual Rescue Bank."

oh, and where is Goblin on this poll?

I was wondering, myself! I guess I'll just check "Other Italian group."

FWIW, Banco's awesome live, but I just can't listen to them on album. And Io Sono is seriously overrated. I like Le Orme better than Banco, but again, better live than studio.

Well Aerosol, my Italian is very basic and sometimes I can't find the precise word in English, but I think I got a possible translation

Premiata Forneria Marconi means almost exactly The very first Bakery Marconi.

Iván

Banco del Mutuo Soccorso....Bank of the Mutual Aid

Premiata Forneria Marconi.....First Bakery Marconi (Premiata can't be exactly translated, it means something like The first among everything or the best of the best; also can be understood as rewarded)

Le Orme......The Tracks

Locanda della Fate......Inn of the Fairies

Iván