CORTE DEI MIRACOLI

One word came out right away after I listened to this album for the first time: symphonic! Yes, not only that the album is very symphonic but also I can taste the music is overall melodic with nice choruses and keyboard-based composition. One might say that this band is heavily influenced by bands like ELP, PFM, Genesis, Banco. But for sure, with all elements of influences from its predecessors, this album demonstrates the unique sound of CORTE DEI MIRACOLI. Despite the rough polished on production department this album still delivers the beauty of prog music through diverse styles and frequent tempo changes. The use of Italian language has even made the music is very strong in nuance. The rough mixing / production has even made the music is richer in terms of representing available recording technology at the time of album release in 1976.

"E Vera L'Uomo" (7:00) starts wonderfully with keyboard sounds followed with a music with powerful bassline and drumwork in the vein of early King Crimson. Keyboard plays dominant role in bringing the musical journey. The music turns quiet to welcome the lead singer Graziano Zippo voice. It's a very symphonic song with some long sustain keyboard work. "Verso Il sole" (6:34) opens a bit complex with a great combination of drum keyboard and powerful n melodic vocal line. Really cool - especially during choruses and interlude with long sustain keyboard notes. I can smell the Keith Emerson's style inserted right here during interlude. It's a great interlude. The piano solo has even made the texture much better! "Una Storia Fiabesca" (6:52) is a song that starts mellow and it flows with nice keyboard passages that sometime remind me to Procol Harum. The combination of vocal and piano has resulted a good musical harmony.

"Il Rituale Notturno" (7:12) starts mellow during intro part but the song moves into more complex with higher notes exploring the rapid fire piano work and vocals. The piano solo is truly excellent, combined and augmented with keyboard sounds. The piano solo itself is worth listening because it's not only melodic, it shows how complex the arrangement is. "I Due Amanti" (13:40) concludes this album with wonderful opening: a punctuated Hammond organ work followed with dazzling drum by Flavio Scogna and keyboard work that contributes the symphonic nuance of this song. Some segments during intro part - right before the vocal line - reminds me to the nuance of "Repent Walpurgis" by Procol Harum. The rest is a truly excellent melodic symphonic prog music.

It's an excellent addition to any prog music collection. You should not miss the album. Recommended. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW