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Various Artists (Concept albums & Themed compilations) - Progressivamente 1973 - 2003 CD (album) cover

PROGRESSIVAMENTE 1973 - 2003

Various Artists (Concept albums & Themed compilations)

 

Various Genres

3.95 | 2 ratings

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erik neuteboom
Prog Reviewer
4 stars This CD is a compilation featuring 11 Italian progrock bands with music made between 1973 and 2003. It's an initiative by some Italian progheads in order to let us enjoy from the captivating and varied Italian scene. Most of the compositions are composed in the last ten years but this CD also contains material from the Seventies like the final track by Semiramis that came from the vaults of one member!

1. GIANNI LEONI : Frammenti Di Ys (4:48) : Here's the keyboard player from the legendary, highly acclaimed band Il Balletto Di Bronzo with fragments from their excellent album Ys, re-recorded in 1996. He delivers dazzling keyboard work in the vein of the bombastic and virtuosic Keith Emerson. Halfway a mellow piece with soaring keyboards and warm vocals and finally some complex prog, their trademark!

2. METAMORFOSI : Porta Dell'Inferno/Caronte/Spacciatore di droga - live 1996 (3:33) : Another acclaimed band from the Seventies, they start with a majestic church- organ sound, then very distinctive vocals (expressive, opera-like) and the music turns into swinging with sparkling organ runs and a powerful rhythm-section, great!

3. SINFONIA: La Follia Che Diventa' Realta' - 2003 (6:44) : First dreamy with soft synthesizer flights, twanging and pleasant vocals. Then it's Pandora's Box featuring fluent flute traverse and a spectacular synthesizer solo. The music becomes more and more complex and bombastic including soli on violin, saxophone and piano. A real gem in the wonderful Italian progrock tradition!

4. OSANNA: Non Sei Vissuto Mai - new version from 2001 (4:53) : This song contains a mid-tempo delivering fiery electric guitar runs and powerful vocals, halfway a short dreamy part with saxophone. Quite swinging for the usual progrock standards!

5. EZRA WINSTON: The Painter And The King - alternative version from 1990 (7:53) : This known band from the Eighties delivers a fine blend of folk, classical and symphonic rock, very alternating with many delicate musical ideas and a lush instrumentation, ranging from piccolo flute and trumpet to saxophone and wonderful keyboards.

6. HYDRO: Worry from 2001 (5:08) : This song is a bit of a maverick, it sounds atmospheric and has electronic undertones with lots of weird sounds.

7. ALBERO MOTORE: Capodanno '74 from 1974 (6:55) : We can enjoy the distinctive Rhodes electric piano sound and then strong interplay with the (often fiery) guitar and some flute. To me the music has elements from Frank Zappa and King Crimson

8. METAMORFOSI: Mururoa from 1996 (6:35) : Another track on this CD by legendary Metamorfosi. This one is very alternating, from dreamy and swinging to bombastic, embellished with great vocals, these sound dramatic, great Italian prog!

9. VITTORIO DE SCALZI - La Storia Dei New Trolls: La Prima Goccia Bagna lI Viso - Part I & II - new version from 2002 (9:04) : From the beginning you can enjoy the powerful, very typical Hammond organ sound in a bluesy climate featuring a bit screamy vocals, a piece with classical piano, vocal harmonies and finally a strong build- up guitar solo.

10. VIRTUAL DREAM: Frengo from 1996 (7:31) : This composition delivers jazzrock inspired prog with strong interplay and biting, wah-wah drenched guitar and a bass solo with propulsive rhythm-guitar.

11. LEONERO: Il Castello - English version from 1975 (4:56) : A catchy rhythm with a varied keyboard sound (a kind of fuzzed clavinet, piano and organ) and strong duo vocals, very compelling.

12. SEMIRAMIS: Luna Park - demo version from 1973 (4:43) : This final track by one of my favorite Italian progrock bands is one of the highlights of this CD, it features wonderful keyboard work (my beloved string-ensemble), a dynamic atmosphere, a piece with mandoline and finally a sensitive electric guitar solo. A great final song that contains the typical Seventies prog sound.

A BIG HAND FOR PROGRESSIVAMENTE!!

erik neuteboom | 4/5 |

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