I MITI MUSICA

If you think to Italian Prog your mind think about Banco, PFM, New Trolls, Perigeo, Balletto Di Bronzo, Rovescio Della Medaglia, Goblin, Franco Battiato, Osanna... And sure this is true. But because this is true? Because these bands produces an extreme international Italian Prog! And in the case of Banco del Mutuo Soccorso (but for all of these bands this sentence is applicable) with extreme Italian way of melody. In other words... The Italian band use to copy English Prog but not plays a copy of English Prog. It is true that this fact is the real magic of Italian Prog! Two worlds, different and not complementary... But going to mix, producing a very unique music!

This CD start with 'Mille Poesie' from 'Donna Plautilla', recorded for RCA Italiana in 1969 and published in 1989 in limited edition. In this song is not present Francesco Di Giacomo and this song (in eng: 'Thousand Poems') is a Beat extreme similar to New Trolls style.

From 'Traccia II' to 'Non Mi Rompete' the Prog is the only protagonist. In truth the Banco's style is not debtor to English Prog because if the use of keyboards is in the way of ELP the melody and style of writing is totally Italian. This is too obvious in 'Non Mi Rompete' (eng: 'You Don't Break Me'), acoustic Folkish ballad in the way of Central Italy Folk style but written in two styles: first part Rock and second part in Central Italian Folk style. Sure 'R.I.P.' (inspired by Ariosto's 'Orlando Furioso') is an epic song, it is true that '750.000 Anni Fa... L'amore?' (eng: '750.000 Years Ago... Love?') is another epic song but not for music (viceversa 'R.I.P.' is epic for music) is epic for lyrics.

From 'Paolo Pa' (eng: 'Paul Pa') to 'Moby Dick' the style is POP, style that the band adopt passing from Ricordi to CBS, furthermore, shortening the name in Banco. The style is always interesting, excellent in some cases ('Paolo Pa', 'Baciami Alfredo' [eng: 'You Kiss Me, Alfredo'] and 'Buone Notizie' [eng: 'Good News']) but without the magic of Prog period.

In definitive 'I Miti Musica' is a budget series of BMG/ Ricordi/ RCA's historical bands. In this case this volume of the series is almost the definitive album of Banco del Mutuo Soccorso. And also if you hate compilations, I think that you taught when you hear this CD!