ROCK PROGRESSIVO ITALIANO

In fact this is a book with an additional CD compilation but in order to give this wonderful box set more attention I took the 'artistic freedom' to name it a CD compilation with an additional book so it appears on the homepage, now, now, now!

The CD compilation contains 15 tracks by 15 different bands from the legendary, almost magical Seventies Italian prog. You can enjoy the huge variety that marks the Italian prog from that era: a raw sound by Osanna (fiery electric guitar and Jethro Tull inspired flutework), swinging with a piano solo and nice vocal harmonies by Delirium, alternating with warm vocals and a varied instrumentation (acoustic - and electric guitar, violins and powerful flute) by New Trolls, propulsive rock with wah-wah guitar by Osage Tribe and psychedelic with choir- Mellotron, organ and fat synthesizers by Libra. My highlights are the compositions by Raccommandata Ricevuta Ritorno (very dynamic with great breaks and exciting shifting moods), Quella Vecchi Locanda (wonderful build-up with a strong 'grand finale' featuring lush keyboards and beautiful flute play), Metamorfosi (dramatic vocals, fat Moogs runs and swirling piano, very compelling) and Cherry Five, my personal favorite: 24- carat symphonic prog delivering splendid Mellotron waves, fiery guitar, a Squire sounding bass and a fluent organ solo, excellent!

The book (according to the Italian label Btf.) "includes complete discographies for all artists and groups, updating the previous Paolo Barotto book. Many new entries and weird, obscure italian prog bands' rare discographies are mentioned in this new book, packaged in an oversized cardboard outer cover. The book also features reproductions in full color of hundreds of original LP and singles covers, plus rarity ratings (from 'common' and 'difficult to find' to 'very rare' and 'impossible to find'), plus rare magazine covers of Ciao 2001 from the Seventies, in a deluxe hardcover volume without any comments or text descriptions." The seize is similar to an 'ancient vinyl single', very easy to handle.

Both the book and the CD are great entries to the captivating and varied world of the Italian prog, highly recommended!

This particular compilation cd came with a reference book with the same title. Actually I guess it was the other way around (haha). It's a hard covered book that lists Italian Prog bands and their albums.Lots of pictures too including all the album covers. For me the joy has been this cd with the 15 different songs from 15 different bands to listen to. I was really looking forward to my drive home from work tonight not only to listen to this one last time before this review but also the challenge I knew it would be to pick a top three, and could I even do that ? All these songs are great hence my four star rating despite the fact this is a compilation album. By the way I could only pick a top two because the two I picked were head and shoulders over the rest making it hard to pick number three. As I said before though every song is excellent.

OSANNA's "Vado Verso Una Meta" is up first and it's a song to get the juices flowing if you will. Raw sounding guitar is replaced by flute as the song changes often. It settles with vocals but not for long.This track is like a good strong drink. DELIRIUM follows with "Deliriana" a catchy tune with piano, flute a beat and vocals. A fun song. NEW TROLLS' "Venti O Cent'anni" is next and we get some nasty guitar as the drums pound away early. A calm with reserved vocals follows as contrasts continue. I like the flute before 3 minutes in this kick-ass section. It was during this song that the sun started to come out but it was still raining as I drove west. I looked behind me and there was a vibrant rainbow.

QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA is up next with "Il Cieco" and man this is catchy. It does calm down after a minute with flute and violin though. Piano 2 1/2 minutes in as it picks back up. Nice. RACCOMANDATA RICEVUTA RITORNO's "Un Palco Di Marionette" sounds so good early on with the piano, a beat and vocals. A calm with spoken words after 3 minutes then strummed guitar arrives as it picks up again.The tempo continues to change. AREA's "Gioia E Rivoluzione" opens with piano as those unmistakable vocals join in. It does settle in with strummed guitar before a minute that changes the mood as the vocals return.

PANNA FREDA's "Scacco Al Re Lot" is next and it's a good one.The organ and drums are great.The focus turns to the vocals before 2 minutes and later on. Some heavy instrumental work after 3 1/2 minutes. Le Orme's "Gioco Di Bimba" is such a beautiful track. My first top two track is PROCESSION's "Ancora Una Notte". The emotion and energy I get from this track reminds me of when I was a teen. I feel so alive.

METAMORFOSI's "Sfruttatori" is a great track but I feel for Jimmy trying to follow-up on Gianfranco's vocals. But hey Jimmy is an amzing singer. GENCO PURO & CO. is a band I don't know.They sound incredible though with their song "Nebbia". It's kind of spacey. OSAGE TRIBE follows that up with some vinegar I guess you could say with their song "Arrowhead". Kicking ass !

LIBRA another unknown for me really impressed me with this short tune. It's spacey to start then check out the drumming followed by horns.The song is called "Shock". CHERRY FIVE's "Country Graveyard" is my other top two.They have a sound on this song that just brings out my emotions. When it settles with vocals it sounds like heaven. THE MOTOWNS end it all with "A Trip Around The World".This is different with the vocal expressions and percussion to start. Guitar and other sounds come and go.This is both interesting and experimental but it's catchy. Organ before 4 minutes followed by piano then bagpipes. Words return to end it.

There's nothing in the book to indicate why these particular songs were chosen although the writer does suggest that if your not up on your RPI then this book and cd is a good place to start. And I couldn't agree more.