BANCO

This is to BANCO what "Photos of Ghosts" is to PFM: rerecord their Italian language material in English and have it released on ELP's Manticore label. Actually the description of this album is only partially correct as they also include a brand new song, "L'Abero del Pane". The rest consists of material off their 1972 debut and "Io Sono Nato Libero". Oddly nothing off "Darwin!" is included, probably because the two best cuts on that album are too long to include.

The material off their debut is vastly improved with far greater production. Like "Metamorfosi", where the passages are unbelievably powerful and dramatic, as opposed to the original (which piano and organ dominated, piano and synthesizer dominate this version, in a vastly improved fashion). This improved piece comes to show, excellent as BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO's debut was, could have used a better and more powerful production. There's also an electronic version of "Traccia II", called "Traccia's Theme". The material off "Io Sono Nato Libero" really couldn't be improved on, since that album was well produced in the first place. Plus I thought the remake of "Non Mi Rompete", called "Leave Me Alone" just doesn't cut it with the English lyrics, which comes across as being overly sentimental. This piece was also extended a bit, by adding an extra synth solo at the end. "Traccia II" is left the same as on "Io Sono Nato Libero".

It's too bad that for many, especially in 1970s America, this was the only way people were exposed to this band, as their second and third albums are wonderful classics of Italian prog that should not be overlooked. But the music is great regardless.