EN CONCIERTO, MAY 1999 - MEXICO CITY.

This is a mix of both old and "new" stuff. Maybe to please both categories of fans ? Although I doubt that the same person could appreciate their two different careers (before and after 1980). But who knows ?

Some very old material from the debut : "RIP" (they could not miss that one), and "Traccia" (fully forgetable). Two long songs from their best work, the "Darwin" album. A dull, complex and very long instrumental opening section (almost eight minutes) for "La Conquista". But the last part is a pure marvel : incredible vocals from Giacomo. Always so great after all these years. An exceptional moment.

This version of "L'Evoluzione" can not be regarded as brilliant. Almost half the lenght of the original. It is totally denaturated while the original was such a beauty of a song. All subtlety, harmony. This live rendition is pure nonsense. I just can't stand this "transformation". And the wonderful first part is just dropped (maybe some vocal problems for Giacomo). It was the most emotional section and it is unbelievable that the band skipped it.

Lots of regrets that the great "750,000 Anni Fa ... L'Amore" is not featured here. But there will be lots of regrets during this live album.

Three songs from their average (but still the best of their after seventies album) "Il 13" : "Sirene", "Brivido" and "Bisbigli". All three being poor tracks (both studio as well as live). Two songs from their poorest album of all time "Banco 83" : "Moby Dick" and "Lontano Da". Useless.

My favourite one from this live set is "Canto Di Primavera"; mainly thanks to a superb Giacomo again. What would have been "Banco" without him ! The second track from this album is "E Mi Viene da Pensare". One of the best moment as well. Almost "unplugged" like "Canto" actually.

One song from "Come In Un'Ultima Cena" which was one of their last good album. But "Il Ragno" was a just a poor jazzy number and it remains so here as well of course. From their previous work "Nudo" which was a combination of live and unreleased songs, we'll get "Roma / Tokyo". Not very useful I must say.

I am not sure that this live album will contribute to boost the fans' enthusiasm. But since there were no commented review before this one, I guess that the current interest in "Banco" is rather limited. Even on a prog site. Two stars.