SEGUENDO LE TRACCE

This live-CD from 1975 by the Italian progrock legend BANCO showcases the band at their artistic pinnacle. Their sound is based upon the magnificent, omnipresent duo- keyboardplay (organ, synthesizers, acoustic - and electric piano, strings) by the Nocenzi brothers and the powerful voice from Francesco Di Giacomo, loaded with pathos. The tracking-list is great featuring "R.I.P." (beautiful interlude delivering moving piano, vocals and acoustic guitar), "L'Alberto Del Pane" (splendid varied keyboards), "La danza dei gandi Rettilli" (a swinging blend of symphonic, blues and jazz), "Passagio", "Non mi rompete" (pleasant acoustic guitarplay), "Dopo . niente e piu lo stesso (wonderful sumptuous keyboards and great vocals), "Traccia II" (fine acoustic pianoplay along trumpet and synthesizer) and an extended version (at about 26 minutes) of "Metamorfosi" (including a long and virtuosic piano solo and lots of exciting keyboards and shifting moods). If you do not own records from BANCO, this one is a perfect start. I have a lot of records from BANCO in my collection but this will be my favorite!

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Posted Tuesday, April 5, 2005 | Review this album | Report (Review #34528)

4.5 stars. Man talk about digging up a treasure with this 1975 concert in Italy from one of RPI's greats.This wasn't released until 2005 if you can believe that. I wish there were more live concerts available from Italy's golden age of Prog but they seem to be few and far between. I would rank this one right up there with AREA's "Are(A)zione". All of the songs here are from the first four studio albums and spread out fairly evenly. At almost 75 minutes this is a real treat.

"R.I.P." is from the debut but is the English version. Gotta love the keyboards and bass early on this one. Guitar comes in just before 2 minutes and starts to solo. Piano follows.Vocals are back after 4 1/2 minutes. A calm follows as we get this gorgeous section. It kicks back in after 7 1/2 minutes with synths to end it. The guys speak to the audience between songs a few times and honestly they sound like they are half asleep. And they speak in Italian of course.

"L'albero Del Pane" is from "Banco(1975)" which I assume this was the tour for. This is uptempo with vocals. "La Danza Del Grandi Retii" is the only track from "Darwin !" and it's incredible. My first top three song. It's laid back with the piano, bass and drums standing out early. It turns fuller as we get some outstanding instrumental work here.The tempo picks up before 3 minutes and the trumpet joins in after 5 minutes. It's the keyboard's turn before 6 1/2 minutes then the synths solo. A percussion solo follows then drums and strummed guitar join in. It's experimental late.

"Passaggio" is from the debut and it's a short harpsichord piece. "Non Mi Rompete" is from the third album "Io Sono Nato Libero".This is a top three. How beautiful is this as vocals and guitar lead the way.Vocal melodies after 1 1/2 minutes as the tempo picks up. It settles back again as contrasts continue. Great track.

"Dopo...Niento E Piu Lo Stresso" is also from "Io Sono Nato Libero". A spacey intro then it kicks in with keys after a minute.Vocals 2 minutes in.Yeah he can sing. It settles back then we get these theatrical spoken words before 6 minutes. Intense section.Then it kicks back in. Great instrumental section before 20 1/2 minutes to the end.

"Traccia II" is from "Banco(1975)" and is led by piano to start then we get horns a minute in as it gets fuller. Harpsichord too. "Metamorfosi" ends it in fine fashion from the debut with an over 26 minute version. A top three for me. It kicks in right away then settles before 2 minutes. Some beautiful piano here. Drums then take over around 7 minutes then it turns spacey before 9 minutes.The piano is back after 15 minutes. Great sound.The synths sound amazing. Bass 19 minutes in then the guitar joins in. Nice. A calm 21 1/2 minutes in then the vocals arrive before 24 minutes. Gulp.

I'm not sure what's keeping me from pulling the trigger on a five star rating but give me time. A must for RPI fans.

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Posted Thursday, September 8, 2011 | Review this album | Report (Review #517821)

A solid live album from Banco del Mutuo Soccorso at the height of their powers - with their international album of English-language renditions emerging on Manticore records the same year. The immediate difference I can pick up between this and the studio renditions of the material in question is in the keyboards, which sound somewhat tinnier and thinner to my ears - perhaps not surprising, given that this was an era when synths and keyboards didn't travel nearly as well as they do these days, and so rearranging songs to suit a more reliable keyboard rig might be a sensible move. I tend to prefer the studio versions, but this release is worth getting if you dig them.

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Posted Friday, November 8, 2019 | Review this album | Report (Review #2279211)

Banco was one of the first Classic Italian Prog bands I discovered, along with PFM, because in the late 70s their LP's were available in the Dutch record stores. Although I am very pleased with the studio-albums I consider Banco at their best on stage, especially this live CD (recorded in 1975) ... (read more)

Report this review (#3029500) | Posted by TenYearsAfter | Tuesday, March 12, 2024 | Review Permanlink

Any country shaped like a boot is capable of kicking some serious butt It's a constant source of both delight and bewilderment to me that for a country where turmoil would represent some sort of stability, it's Italy that has produced some of the finest Progressive Rock on the planet. Perhaps ... (read more)

Report this review (#350196) | Posted by ExittheLemming | Saturday, December 11, 2010 | Review Permanlink

What an incredible live album. I bought this a Nearfest 2008, which a somewhat different Banco performed at. To tell the truth, I'm amazed at how much Banco haven't changed since this 1975 recording. Still filled with power, emotion, and great musical skill and dexterity. I'm not sure it will ... (read more)

Report this review (#177192) | Posted by infandous | Friday, July 18, 2008 | Review Permanlink

The RPI (and related) live reviews series vol.4 This album from 1975 (and unpublished for 30 years) is a document. A document of Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso at his summit of celebrity. The Classic Music in Rock (because this is the music of Banco) is this in great manner. Grat the English version ... (read more)

Report this review (#133348) | Posted by Ely78 | Thursday, August 16, 2007 | Review Permanlink

What can I say but "WOW"? After such a long expectation I thought the new Banco release would have disappointed me. But.... First, audio quality is almost perfect. Second, the tracklist shows some of my Banco's favourites (except RIP, the english version, and many italian proghead will agree, ... (read more)

Report this review (#75015) | Posted by basoalto | Saturday, April 15, 2006 | Review Permanlink

With this recording, Banco have made what I believe is the finest live progressive recording I have ever heard! This record is just stupendous! I truly lack superlatives in my enthuseasm for the majestic performance of this recording! The recording and production are excellent; the selection of m ... (read more)

Report this review (#60574) | Posted by wooty | Saturday, December 17, 2005 | Review Permanlink

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