THE SPAGHETTI EPIC 2 - THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Not too shabby this concept album; where three different artists have been asked to make 25 minute long epics inspired by the classic movie The Good, The Bad and the Ugly as well as symphonic prog from the 70's Italian style.

Two Italian bands and one band with an Italian sounding name that really consist of English musicians Andy Tillison and Guy Manning have made some nice tracks here, with more twists and turns than to be found in major labyrinths. Most of it with a distinct 70's feel to it; and rich on symphonic moods.

Fans of stuff like this better check this one out sooner rather than later.

Bands: Randone, La Voce Del Vento en Tilion (all bands 1 'epic') Again an impressive lay-out by the Finnish Colossus project: a huge booklet featuring lots of information, pictures and even cartoons about the famous movie The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, the subject on this album.

RANDONE (Italy) - The Good (25.04) This acclaimed new Italian five piece band delivers an alternating, very melodic composition in the 24-carat symphonic prog tradition with wonderful vintage keyboards (especially the omnipresent choir-Mellotron), strong interplay between keyboards and guitar, pleasant Italian vocals, powerful work on saxophone and lots of changing climates and breaks. It doesn't sound original but very tasteful and I am sure many symphomaniacs will enjoy this music.

LA VOCE DE L VENTO (UK) - The Bad (24.23) Despite the Italian bandname, this is a duo from the UK. Their music alternates between polished sounding prog/progressive pop and exciting ELP-like bombastic keyboard-driven symphonic prog. I am delighted about the parts with flashy Moog sounds, swirling Hammond runs and propulsive organ with wah-wah guitar, goose bumps!

TILION (Itay) - The Ugly (26.57) This new Italian band turns out to be the new Il Balletto Di Bronzo because of the expressive vocals, fiery parts, raw guitar sound, avant-garde/experimental undertones and lots of surprising breaks and shifting moods: from swinging with jazzy Fender Rhodes piano to fat Moog flights with dramatic vocals or bombastic keyboards featuring Moog and Hammond, followed by experimental work on piano and theatrical vocals. To me the music by Tilion sounds as very intricate and compelling but not everybody's cup of tea.......just like the sound of Il Balletto Di Bronzo on their legendary album Ys!

Not as good as the (book) first one. But that's maybe because I haven't seen it (yet). 1st one just hits symphonic parts more, this jazzy tune sometimes. Not bad, but also don't fit me to western theme. Accidentally I forgot about current track I'm listening and wondered, why this singer sounds like Guy Manning. At least the answer is simple here, it's him. Similar bands like at first take (epic 1), but reduced by 1/2. That makes just half of tracks than on their previous release. One thing is strange. Except GM, these tracks sound much better to me, than their original (I mean better than for example Tilion CD's)

4(-), I'm not so impressed by this, as I was with previous one (check it if you want), but it's not so bad as for these three shameful stars.