IL TEMPO DELLA GIOIA

I've collected a decent amount of Italian prog over the years, and I must say that most of it is phenomenal. This second album from Quella Vecchia Locanda always seems to get very (VERY) high reviews, and I finally ponied up a little more cash than I'm normally comfortable with to grab a copy of this cd from an auction. After a few good listens, I'm just not lovin' this....

I enjoy classical music about as much as I enjoy rock and jazz; I agree that this is a nice melding of those musical genres. I like the violin touches, and the warm, soft vocals. And the players seem to be very proficient on their respective instruments. But...it's almost too tame for me. (Another reviewer used the word "polite".) At its quietest moments, it resembles acoustic baroque chamber music with vocals - not my personal favorite shtuff. Also, a number of songs seem to end rather awkwardly - either too fast fadeouts, or just plain too abruptly. Plus, this is only 34 minutes long. (I spent almost a buck a minute for this cd!)

The second half of the cd is a little more traditionally proggy, which is what I was hoping for more of. It's not a bad cd overall, and I certainly found a few moments of greatness here and there; but I'm having trouble justifying the superlatives that others have lavished on this. I will continue to listen and seek enlightenment from this album; but for now, I'm gonna send out this little caveat of a review to protect other potential victims of over-hype...

3-1/2 stars for me.