CRYSTALS

Very unusual album placed under RPI tag. It was recorded in 1974, but released in 1992 for the first time. I believe this one-shot project's line up can attract many RPI fans: guitarist Nanni Civitenga ( SAMADHI ), another guitarist Marcello Todaro (Banco...),bassist Giorgio Piazza (PFM),drummer Giorgio Santandrea (ALPHATAURUS) play songs ,composed by Paolo Tofani (Area)!

But... First of all music there is hard rock with bluesy roots. Or let say - music that Led Zeppelin played at their early albums. Second - vocalist Carlo Degany is absolute Robert Plant clone, he even sings in English. Third, all the music, both together with vocal, is just not too much original version of Led Zeppelin.

OK, there are some small traces of "Italian origin" - comparing with the original (Led Zeppelin) compositions there are softer, better polished, more melodic and with more complex arrangements. In fact it gives to all music slight prog feeling. Unhappily, all music is so similar to original, that can not be accepted as independent album in similar style. I believe, it was the reason why this album wasn't released in 1974, but spend almost two decades in archives.

Then, who is this work listener now? I think it could be really interesting for die hard RPI maniacs, whenever they will find well-known genre musicians playing unusual alternative project. Who else? To be honest, I don't know. Don't really think someone with love to early bluesy hard-rock will be attracted by not too original Led Zeppelin clone.

Whenever all musicians are really competent, music if not too original is played at the professional level, though. I can rate this album as almost good ( = 2,75).