PFM & PAGANI - PIAZZA DEL CAMPO

What a good idea to play a concert on this marvellous place! I've been there once to visit this nice city of Sienna and I can share the emotion felt by the audience during this very special concert. An emotional reunion with Mauro Pagani and the great PFM! Could you imagine?

Now, to be honest: the track selection is not top notch. Only a couple of historical songs from the band are featured here. And this is quite a let down to be honest. I guess that for this particular occasion, they should have rehearsed more about their huge classic and great repertoire.

Unfortunately, what's left here are some fine showcase for Mauro while some more of their great songs should have been played. I am quite surprised that none of the reviews mentioned this aspect so far.

I was really expecting more from this live set (probably too much). I would have dreamed of "L'Isola di Niente", "Impressioni Di Settembre", "Il Banchetto" for instance. As a very old fan, I'll have to make it with a great version of " Carrozza di Hans". But I was waiting for more. Much more.

The early folkish sounds from "Luna Nuova" are only a short interlude amongst a rather jazzy business case. You might know that this is not my top fave kind of music; but the band quickly leant towards this style in the late mid-seventies. Even if superb symphonic and very much "Genesis" feel are part of this song. One of the best though of the whole live set for sure.

This album is a lost opportunity IMHHO. It should have hold many more PFM classic and great songs instead of a "Un Giudice" or some " William Tell Ouverture". I still consider this album as a good work but this is by no means their best live effort and if your are new to "PFM", this is not the best live entry at all.

What else? Well, not too much, I'm afraid. A succession of high technical skills, virtuosity and maestria. But the essence of great music is not held here. "Mr. 9 Till 5" is probably one of the best moments to be experienced during this live album.

One could also have expected more enthusiasm from the crowd; but it is not present: only some polite clapping between numbers, period. I would have liked to end up to a higher rating for a band that I quite like, and also for my 24th hundred review. But this is it: three stars.

Too hectic, too little classic tracks, some fine instrumental ("Siena Violin Jam", "E Festa") but globally only a good album. As such: only three stars.