PHOTOS OF GHOSTS

Photos of Ghosts is my first encounter of Premiata Forneria Marconi (I bought the vinyl in the late seventies) and my appeciation of the album grows every time I listen to what I am considering as a true masterpiece of music in general It is the first english album as a version of "Per Un Amico" for the American market - all the songs have new lirics (from Peter Sinfield) except for Il Banchetto wich has been kept from its original italian version. As "bonus" tracks (if we may say so !!), there is a version of E'festa from "Storia di in Minuto" which became what will be the most famous song (west of the the Atlantic) of Premiata Forneria Marconi : "Celebation". To complete the album, the add a kind of intermezzo nammes "Old Rain". Why this is such a masterpiece ? Musical and vocal arrangements are at the same time subtle and complex through out the album. Listen to all the mood changes and vocals harmony in "River of Life". Isntrumental Section & Violin Solo in "Photos of Ghosts" keep breathless. "Celebration" is really a celebration - we are able to feel it). It seems to have an infinity of tracks in "Il Banchetto" - lots of keybords, a beautiful grand piano solo, about 3 tracks of guitars all in subtlety (no hard rock guitars here !!). Again, the Finale "Promenade The Puzzle" is all in changes of mood with a magnificent Piano- violin in the instrumental section just before the crescendo that brings us to the finale. If you think that "Mr. 9 'till 5" is more standard, just wait 'till the instrumental section ! This is a must buy for any progressive listener if you don't have this one already.

Ultime