STORIA DI UN MINUTO

This album is still considered the most significant of the Italian prog. "Le Orme" with "Collage", of the year before, are considered the first commercial group to have brought the prog in Italy, but the "Premiata Forneria Marconi", with this LP, and in particular with "Impressioni di Settembre", is the first famous group to have produced a successful, commercial, prog - rock record. In this first album, Franco Mussida and Mauro Pagani write almost all the songs, and Mussida and Premoli share the vocal parts.

Introduction (1:10) + 2. Impressions of September (5:44). "September Impressions" combines prog-rock to catchy but high-class melody (sung well, with a gentle touch, by Franco Mussida) and features one of the first moog synthesizers. This combination has made it a classic. The production and arrangement are still wonderfully handcrafted (to capture the spontaneity of live performances), definitely not perfect and inferior to those of the English bands that inspired PFM (as well as Le Orme): Lake & Palmer, King Crimson, Genesis, Jethro Tull. But a melody like that of "Impressions of September" these three groups cannot easily churn it out - with the exception of the Genesis of Tresapass and Jethro Tull of Aqualung. Masterpiece. Rating 8.5 / 9.

3. It's Party (4:52). Piece rhythmically exuberant and sustained, driven by Mussida guitar and the moog played by Premoli, who is also the singer. That it is a party can be seen from the title and the cheerful music, bordering on the nursery rhyme, and similar to a Mediterranean "tarantella". The vocal section as usual is very delicate (not having a real singer in the group). This is followed by an instrumental piece guided from the bass by Piazza and a solo by Premoli on the harpsichord. Rating 8.

4. Where ... When ... (Part I) (4:08). Fabulous, Renaissance beginning, worthy of Genesis, doubled voice, acoustic guitar, nocturnal and whispered atmosphere, Pagani's flute and Premoli's harpsichord give a very classic touch, accentuated by Mussida's guitar. The song this time doesn't have an explosion and stays on a minor pitch from start to finish. Very refined, atmospheric, it lacks a winning variation to be remarkable. On a compositional level it is simple. Rating 7.5 / 8.

B- Side 5. Where ... When ... (Part II) (6:00). The second part of the song opens with an organ and a violin embroidering the same melody with which the first side ended. Here, however, the atmosphere is very baroque. Premoli's piano exhibits virtuosity in which Di Cioccio's drums participate, then the piece becomes orchestral and the melody appears to us in all its beauty. Around 3 and a half minutes Premoli's swing piano brings a nice variation, followed by Pagani's flute and Di Cioccio's drums, and at this point we are lapping free-jazz. Creativity is at its best, and is characterized by its refinement and delicacy. The initial organ returns towards the end, ending the song a little too quickly. But anyway, how beautiful it is! Rating 9.

6. Hans's carriage (6:46). Hard-rock begins then Pagani's flute and voice, finally the acoustic guitar, with the doubled voice of Mussida, very delicate, and the atmosphere becomes bucolic, pastoral. A piece on classical guitar follows in which Mussida takes some space. Strangely, the song no longer picks up the thread after the digression on the guitar, but folk and finally hard-folk concert music returns, thanks to the electric guitar similar to the initial piece. Rating 8+. Piece that brings together folk, hard-rock and symphonic piece.

7. Thank you very much (5:52). Last song with acoustic beginning and voices in chorus (Premoli), then there is a symphonic chorus, a bit noisy, with sounds from country band, and the voices sing a "Thank you for living." Here the production is a bit 'sensationalist, the PFM look for the GRAND FINAL, and in fact after a pause of music toward the three minutes, returns orchestral music, choirs and finally return to the grand final upbeat, much triumphalistic. Rating 8.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are facing a masterpiece, one of the most representative records of the Italian prog, together with Collage by the Orme, which anticipated it, with Darwin by Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, of the same year, and with Arbeit Macht Frei by Area , of the following year. With this album, Italian progressive music has taken on a precise identity, linked to melody, delicate singing, orchestral folk, and orchestral and classical virtuosity. This is a very inspired, highly creative record.

Rating 9+. Masterpiece. Five Stars.